To See Far - by Jim Van Laak (Paperback)

Book Synopsis

"We go into space to see far."

The Cold War's half-century nuclear standoff left Jim Van Laak, a fighter pilot standing alert on the US's northern frontline, aching for a vision of a better future with the nation's great strategic rival, Russia. He did not know that two great misfortunes of his youth, a low draft number and a dangerous airplane accident, had already set him on a course to not only see such a vision but to help bring it to fruition.

In To See Far, Van Laak takes readers along on his improbable journey from being a shy but gifted youth with a burning desire to fly to running manned spaceflight operations for the whole planet.

Van Laak's early brush with death made him determined to manage the dangers of flying by understanding its principles and machinery. In the wake of NASA's 1986 Challenger disaster, he seized an opportunity to apply his insights to the problems of spaceflight. He soon found himself untangling the complex issues of Ronald Reagan's envisioned Space Station Freedom.

When political changes redirected Freedom's development into an international project with Russia as a major player, Van Laak was tasked with managing the risks of Russia's participation. His later charge to lead the integration of the two nations' programs put him at odds with people in both countries who would have preferred to see cooperation fail.

Van Laak's efforts during the crises with American astronauts on Russia's Mir space station developed the techniques and relationships he needed to lead spaceflight operation during the International Space Station's critical, early construction. Managing its innumerable technical and human challenges brought him the long view of how rivals could work together.

In our time of seemingly intractable conflicts, To See Far brings a gentle, sensible vision that reaches beyond space enthusiasts to touch a deep cord in the human soul.

Review Quotes

Praise for To See Far

"A captivating chronicle of US-Russian space cooperation." To See Far is a definitive, firsthand account of the challenges, breakthroughs, and extraordinary teamwork that shaped US-Russian space cooperation from 1993 to the present. James Van Laak masterfully weaves together the tensions of the Cold War; the hard-won trust between NASA and Russian space engineers, managers, and crew members; and the operational triumphs that led to the construction and enduring success of the International Space Station. With rich storytelling and unparalleled insight, this book is an essential read for aerospace professionals, historians, policymakers, teachers, and students alike-offering a rare behind-the-scenes look at one of the greatest international engineering achievements in history.

Too See Far recounts the tumultuous early years of the International Space Station, which I covered as CNN's space correspondent. From my vantage point, the ISS partnership seemed fragile, but until I read Jim Van Laak's candid insider's account, I did not realize the extraordinary human and technical struggle to hold the program together. To See Far is an essential and eye-opening account of one of NASA's great projects.