{"product_id":"into-the-black-the-extraordinary-untold-story-of-the-first-flight-of-the-space-shuttle-columbia-and-the-astronauts-who-flew-her-9781501123634","title":"Into the Black: The Extraordinary Untold Story of the First Flight of the Space Shuttle Columbia and the Astronauts Who Flew Her","description":"\u003ch2\u003eThe Untold Story of Space Shuttle Columbia's Maiden Flight\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eA book \"no aviation buff will want to miss\" (\u003ci\u003eThe Wall Street Journal\u003c\/i\u003e) and \"the perfect tale that educates as it entertains\" (Clive Cussler, #1 bestselling author), \u003ci\u003eInto the Black\u003c\/i\u003e recaptures the historic moments leading up to and the exciting story of the astronauts who flew the daring maiden flight of the space shuttle \u003ci\u003eColumbia\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eApril 12, 1981: NASA's Most Advanced Flying Machine Takes Flight\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eUsing interviews, NASA oral histories, and recently declassified material, \u003ci\u003eInto the Black\u003c\/i\u003e pieces together the dramatic untold story of the \u003ci\u003eColumbia\u003c\/i\u003e mission and the brave people who dedicated themselves to help the United States succeed in the age of space exploration. On April 12, 1981, NASA's Space Shuttle \u003ci\u003eColumbia\u003c\/i\u003e blasted off from Cape Canaveral. It was the most advanced, state-of-the-art flying machine ever built, challenging the minds and imagination of America's top engineers and pilots. \u003ci\u003eColumbia\u003c\/i\u003e was the world's first real spaceship: a winged rocket plane, the size of an airliner, and capable of flying to space and back before preparing to fly again.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCrisis in Orbit: Missing Heat Shield Tiles\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eOn board were moonwalker John Young and test pilot Bob Crippen. Less than an hour after Young and Crippen's spectacular departure from the Cape, all was not well. Tiles designed to protect the ship from the blowtorch burn of re-entry were missing from the heat shield. If the damage to \u003ci\u003eColumbia\u003c\/i\u003e was too great, the astronauts wouldn't be able to return safely to earth. NASA turned to the National Reconnaissance Office, a spy agency hidden deep inside the Pentagon whose very existence was classified. To help the ship, the NRO would attempt something never done before. Success would require skill, perfect timing, and luck.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eCold War Space Race Thriller\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSet against the backdrop of the Cold War, \u003ci\u003eInto the Black\u003c\/i\u003e is a thrilling race against time and the incredible true story of the first space shuttle mission that celebrates our passion for spaceflight. This declassified account reveals the classified National Reconnaissance Office involvement in rescuing the mission, a story kept secret for decades.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003ch2\u003eAbout the Author\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eRowland White is the author of three critically acclaimed works of aviation history: \u003ci\u003eVulcan 607\u003c\/i\u003e, \u003ci\u003ePhoenix Squadron\u003c\/i\u003e, and \u003ci\u003eStorm Front\u003c\/i\u003e. All three have been \u003ci\u003eSunday Times\u003c\/i\u003e top ten bestsellers. His most recent novel is \u003ci\u003eInto the Black\u003c\/i\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Atria Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":50681023201554,"sku":"9781501123634","price":15.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0831\/4771\/8930\/files\/img_064554f4-33eb-4b26-9b24-7fa0caa5c81b.jpg?v=1733947748","url":"https:\/\/surprise-castle.myshopify.com\/products\/into-the-black-the-extraordinary-untold-story-of-the-first-flight-of-the-space-shuttle-columbia-and-the-astronauts-who-flew-her-9781501123634","provider":"Surprise Castle","version":"1.0","type":"link"}