Space Shuttle: Developing an Icon 1972-2013
During 30 years and 135 missions, the U.S. space shuttle carried more crewmembers to orbit than all other launch systems, from all other countries combined, and carried more than 4.5 million pounds of payload to orbit. It was a staggering record of success. Unfortunately, it was accompanied by a tragic record of failure, with two accidents claiming the lives of 14 astronauts as well as other incidents claiming several ground personnel. But, as Richard Truly, an astronaut and NASA administrator, once said, "Flying in space is a bold business. We cannot print enough money to make it totally risk-free." This assertion was not meant as an excuse, simply a statement of fact regarding the physics of space travel and the dangers of chemical rockets.
Because it flew for 30 years, most people alive today do not remember a time when the space shuttle was not in the news. The public was enthralled, the politicians somewhat less, and the armchair critics even less so. The space shuttle was meant as a stepping-stone to broader exploration. But the funding and political will never materialized, leaving the vehicle with little meaningful work for most of its flight campaign. Nevertheless, the space shuttle launched a variety of commercial and military satellites, planetary probes to Venus and Jupiter, and three of the four NASA Great Observatories, including the pièce de résistance, the Hubble Space Telescope. Only near the end was it able to demonstrate its intended purpose, building a space station. Even that, when finished, was only a shell of what had been envisioned when the space shuttle was approved. Unfortunately, having found its stride as the primary support vehicle for the International Space Station, the White House canceled the program, leaving the United States without the ability to launch people to orbit.
All of this has left an uncertain legacy for one of the most visible engineering achievements of the 20th Century. This book is not meant to establish that legacy, but to thoroughly document the development, technology, and, to a lesser extent, the flight campaign. We will leave it to future historians to determine the ultimate worthiness of the program. What we can say for certain, though, is that it was one hell of a ride.
Reviews (162)
Marvelous History of the Shuttle Program
My copy arrived today as well. Amazing photography, lots and lots (and lots!) of text, and just an excellent reference overall. It's a shame that you have to go to China to get something like this printed. I'd wait and post a review after I've read the three volumes, but sheesh, that might take a while. One (purely personal) disappointment, in the table of contents and the index I see no mention of the Launch Processing System (LPS) that I and quite a number of people worked on and with. Maybe we can put that in the next book? UPDATE - I finally completed the first of the three volumes and I can confirm that it is great reading, although pretty technical. The text is extensive and the photographs and illustrations are numerous and excellent. Some might take issue with the small size of some of the photographs but obviously this was a compromise to permit the inclusive of the great amount of text. Certainly this first volume must be considered the definitive history of the space shuttle development overall and some parts of it, for instance the history of the shuttle carrier aircraft (SCA), are some of the best information available today on these individual subjects.
Absolutely AMAZING!!
This was my second purchase of the books because I accidentally tore a page in book #3 because I was just simply too reckless with the books and I hate getting anything new messed up or torn up so - I ordered another set. In my mind, Dennis R. Jenkins has done a wonderful and amazing job with these books! The only problem I have is that the font is too small for me (I'm legally blind in one eye and the vision in my right eye isn't the best, either). However, I would recommend these books to anyone who is a space geek or shuttle geek or to anyone who lived through the 30 years that the shuttle flew. At first, the book title "Space Shuttle: Developing an Icon 1972-2013", kind of threw me off a bit but....I then remembered that Dennis mentions in the last book that he was also on the committee who oversaw the decisions of where to place the remaining shuttles on display - so that's why the book has the title it does. The books do NOT go into a lot of detail about the Challenger & Columbia accidents....and rightly so. There are other books out there for those who want to read about the two shuttle tragedies and the loss of 14 astronauts. Again, if you know anyone who is a space junkie or space geek and loves the "space shuttle era", I know they would love this book because I definitely do!!!
There is also considerable information on the launch Facilities too which i loved. The entire third book is focused on the ...
I am somewhat of a 'space nut' and have many books on the technical side of space programs. I have never read a more comprehensive account of any of the manned space programs than this. Absolutely marvelous! It can get quite technical at times, but that is what i prefer. I would think to the non-technical types, however, this would be an equally enjoyable read. I learned so much from this series of books that i hadn't known before about the SSME - Space Shuttle Main Engines development, ET - External Tank, SRB - Solid Rocket Boosters, all of the components that flew. There is also considerable information on the launch Facilities too which i loved. The entire third book is focused on the missions themselves. This is absolutely the best books I have ever read on any of the manned space programs.
You'll be like me, very glad you did
The phase "Ultimate Reference" just doesn't do this set any justice. If you want the be all end all for the Space Shuttle, this is it, ignore the price tag and just do it. You'll be like me, very glad you did.. and in my case, very glad my wife approved the purchase :-)
Fabulous set of books.
Beautiful volume. Previous editions were great, but this is the finest history of the shuttle you're likely to find. Well worth the money. Tons of information, wonderful images from every flight, and all kinds of details. Quality job of the printing. A handsome, useful set for any space enthusiast's home library. Dennis Jenkins has outdone himself!
The Touchstone Reference on the Space Shuttle
Jenkins has compiled the one-stop collection on the history of the Space Shuttle Program. In the previous editions, he did a great job of reviewing the history of space transportation goals and aspirations, as well as documenting the STS development and operations. Those were single volumes and it is no accident that this edition takes three (in a nice case, too). Everything is expanded and enhanced. If you only want one book on the Space Shuttle, this is it. If you can stand two, the other is "Wings in Orbit" by Wayne Hale and Helen Lane. But that is more technical and does not have the same degree of historical context, photos, illustrations and diagrams, or related materials. Without getting too emotional about it, I think Jenkins has done history a great service by developing so thorough and comprehensive a set of books. He is a prolific writer and this was clearly a substantial effort.
Worth Every Penny!
Don't let the price tag dissuade you. If you're a real space enthusiast, students of engineering, or die-hard Shuttle buff, you need this in your collection. Some of this is duplicated from Jenkins' previous (and excellent) work "Space Shuttle: The History of the National Space Transportation System The First 100 Missions", but that book contains a mere fraction of the material found in this collection. Far more of the illustrations in this collection are in color, and there are many more of them. It's replete with schematics and diagrams you'd be hard-pressed to find anywhere else. This is a purchase you're not going to regret.
Fascinating Reading
I was a Life Sciences intern in 1973 and 1974 at JSC, and Research Fellow at ARC in 1976. I had an opportunity of working with Dr. Musgrave in 1974, and he wrote a fine forward for this book. In 1976 I flew on the Galileo II as it developed approach to landing routines suitable for the shuttle. This is a very comprehensive history of Space Shuttle, and replete with photographs. It brought back many memories and filled-in many details about this project. Moreover, there is considerable discussion of the pre-shuttle lifting bodies which I found fascinating. I can highly recommend this book. Prof. Steven Saliterman, University of Minnesota
May be pricey, but 100% worth it.
I am so happy I purchased this collection. I love the Space Shuttle and this has so much information I still haven't even scratched the surface. There are three beautifully bound books with nice gold lettering, each having more than 500 pages full of information (over one million words), history, specs, missions, etc and of course....beautiful pictures. While some might think this is a lot of money for a couple books, but it is worth every cent if you are a Space Shuttle enthusiast like I am and it would be beautiful in your space shuttle collection or library.
JUST BUY IT !!!
The detailed reviews already presented should convince you to purchase this incredible compilation on the the entire Space Shuttle program. The NASA history office should simply adopt this effort as it's (has theirs ever been published?) official history because I doubt they can do better. If the price worries you realize that money is either paper or plastic but this masterpiece (although made of paper) will last for at least a generation. What a pleasure to be in possession of such a professional endeavor.
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