With interest in space travel enjoying a boost thanks to our own astronaut, Tim Peake, working on board the International Space Station, Rowland White’s book Into The Black is perfectly timed.
It focuses on the world’s ‘first real spaceship’, Space Shuttle Columbia, whose maiden flight was 35 years ago in April 1981 – the same shuttle that tragically broke apart on re-entry after 27 missions in 2003.
White’s research is where the book excels, as he spoke to many of the people involved with NASA’s ground-breaking program. This is a fascinating story that takes us through the intensity of the Cold War and the extreme measures needed to finally breech earth’s orbit.
There is also a great respect given to those who paid the ultimate price to test these new, unexplored frontiers. This is truly a story of hope and breathtaking adventure.
