The length of time it took to decide to build the shuttle, the preliminary work involved before any metal was bent, the different entities within the US government that fought over it, the construction and the testing before it was finally launched was fascinating to me.
The shuttle program was decided to go ahead while men were walking on the moon during the Apollo 16 mission.
In the mid-sixties, reconnaissance satellites were so primitive that images were shot on film and the film parachuted down to earth to be picked up by specially designed aircraft that would pluck them from the sky. The technology did not exist to wirelessly send images from space, which seems odd since TV signals were being beamed from the moon. I'm sure it had something to do with encryption.
The thing about NASA and the space program is just how risky everything they do really is. They just make it look and sound like it’s no big deal. But all of the hardware is on the absolute bleeding edge of technology and engineering.
Everything about the Shuttle was new and it was BIG compared to anything else NASA had done. Transporting the Shuttle on a 747 was not a new idea but noting had been tried at that scale.
The fully-assembled launch stack was completely new.
And that heat shield was a nightmare to design, test and fly.
The Shuttle became what NASA had wanted it to be; an everyday thing, routine and boring. But it was nothing of the kind.
This was a thoroughly engrossing book.
Highly recommended.
Rowland White's website - http://www.rowlandwhite.com/
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| Rowland White |
