Columbia - Annotated by Philip Chien (Hardcover)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Aerospace writer Philip Chien, who has over 20 years' experience covering the US space program, provides a unique insight into the crew members who lost their lives in the Columbia disaster. He reviews in detail their scientific work and other activities during their successful 16-day flight, the background of the accident itself and a detailed first-hand account of what happened that fateful day in February 2003. The author provides a comprehensive and personal look at both the Columbia astronauts and the STS-107 mission, together with a behind-the-scenes account of other people involved in the mission and their personal reactions to the accident. Chien interviewed all seven crew members several times and got to know them as individuals.

Review Quotes

From the reviews:

In terms of explaining the mission itself, Columbia--Final Voyage is unparalleled, and unlikely to be equaled[.]

--Jeff Foust, The Space Review, February 20, 2006

The research, when combined with interviews with family, colleagues and scientists, results in what may be the most detailed account that will ever be written about what happened in space during the mission.

--John Kelly, Florida Today: Space & Science, February 15, 2006

"Philip Chien in his book Columbia Final Voyage brings a comprehensive, personal, view of the most recent shuttle disaster. ... Chien's review provides plenty of interest ... . Included are the experiments, with the identities and expectations of the principal investigators. ... In total, he's produced a warm memorial both for the people and the mission. ... the book is an excellent source for someone wanting to relieve this mission or to reflect on the nature of the people involved or on people in general." (Mark Mortimer, Universe Today, April, 2006)

About the Author