by Jen Lynds
A majority of pupils who were present at school on January 28, 1986, experienced collective trauma.
They rose from their beds that morning, gathered with their peers in front of a television in their schools, and witnessed seven people’s deaths.
The book, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space, provides a detailed account of the tragic deaths of those seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, a teacher from New Hampshire.
It is a riveting and meticulously researched account of one of the most catastrophic events in the history of space exploration. Adam Higginbotham’s narrative plunges readers into the complex and often chaotic world of NASA in the period leading up to the ill-fated launch of the Challenger space shuttle on January 28, 1986.
Higginbotham skillfully integrates intricate scientific data with captivating human narratives. The author extensively explores the lives of the seven astronauts who tragically died in the disaster. Pages are specifically devoted to showcasing their aspirations, courage, and unwavering commitment. This book offers a thorough and easily understandable overview of the difficulties faced by NASA engineers and management, including specific instances where bad decisions made the issue worse. The author focuses on the critical weakness of the shuttle, which is a malfunction in the O-ring seals of the solid rocket boosters.
Interviews with key players in the Challenger mission support the book’s thorough research. The author secured previously unreleased documents and vast archival data. This elevated the narrative and advanced the historical record.
The book, released in May, is available at local and online bookstores.
