NASA & SPACE 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger "PRESCRIPTION FOR DISASTER"

Description: I COMBINE SHIPPING $1.50 per book. FREE SHIPPING for orders over $60. Send books to your check-out cart. E-Bay will automatically adjust shipping costs. PACKAGING & SHIPPING RULES: 1. Individual books Under $18.00 are shipped in padded poly envelopes. 2. Individual books Over $18.00 are shipped in a poly envelope inside a box. 3. Buy Three or more books and the order is shipped in a box.ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON THIS LISTING:This book was written in the aftermath of the 1986 Space Shuttle Challenger disaster that caused the death of seven astronauts during the launch of Challenger. The book is mainly a look at the internal politics and management of NASA and how the various failures of management factored into the Challenger disaster.Trento begins the book by recounting the glory days of NASA during the 1960s when NASA had the know-how and managers to work on large projects, including the Apollo program which put men on the moon. Trento notes how important good management and political support were necessary for these successes. This included having an administrator, James Webb, who knew how to deal with people and Washington. NASA was also blessed at the time with strong support from the Kennedy and Johnson administrations. Things started to fall apart after Richard Nixon became president. Nixon was no fan of the space program and NASA was forced to make numerous compromises in the face of budget cuts. NASA was forced to accept a less-than-optimal Space Shuttle design that many thought was not safe, such as the lack of a launch escape system that all of NASA's previous manned spacecraft had.The book delves into a lot of the politics surrounding the space program. This includes the various internal politics at NASA. Trento had the opportunity to interview every administrator that had served up to that time for this book and all seven men offer their own viewpoints on what was going on at NASA. NASA also had to deal with intergovernmental politics such as dealing with the Air Force for support. Finally, there is the dealings with Congress and the executive branch.The only criticisms I have of this book is that it does read rather slowly at some points. Trento also occasionally messes up certain technical language such as using "altitude" when he means "attitude."Overall, I found this an interesting book at some of the history of NASA management and the politics of the space program. This is not a book about spaceflight itself, but it does contribute to the history of NASA. I would recommend this book to those interested in the history of the space program.

Price: 10 USD

Location: Livonia, Michigan

End Time: 2025-01-19T14:48:01.000Z

Shipping Cost: 5.4 USD