Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster at the Edge of Space by Adam Higginbotham

 

Title:  Challenger:  A True Story of Heroism and Disaster at the Edge of Space

Author:  Adam Higginbotham

Narrated by:  Jacques Roy

Publisher: Simon & Schuster Audio

Length: Approximately 17 hours and 9 minutes

Source: Review Copy from Simon & Schuster Audio. 

 

What real life disaster would you like to read more about?

On January 28, 1986, the space shuttle Challenger broke up only 73 seconds into the flight and all seven astronauts on board lost their lives.  This tragedy was a defining moment in many people’s lives.  I remember it happening as a second grader.  We were all excited about the first teacher going to space and then it all went horribly wrong.

My thoughts on this audiobook:

·       I listened to this audiobook on a family trip at Christmas and another recent road trip in February.  My husband and I both found it interesting, and it prompted good discussion.

·       The audiobook gives details on each of the seven astronauts as well as other important people and incidents leading up to the disaster.  The history of the space shuttle program was fascinating. 

·       I felt better thinking that the astronauts vaporized rather than learning that they were hurtling towards their deaths and aware for 3 entire minutes.  The search and finding of their remains was horrifying.

·       This audiobook gave me a lot to think about ethics wise. Engineers blew the whistle about how they knew the O-rings had problems with temperature, but the shuttle was sent up anyways.  Human lives seemed to be not valued.  The engineers received accolades from professional societies, but never worked in aerospace again.  Ethics did not pay in this situation.

·       The space shuttle Columbia investigation discovered that many of the findings and items that were supposed to go into place after the Challenger disaster were not put not place.

·       It worried me with current events and seemingly random cuts to the government that we are setting ourselves up for another national tragedy.

·       The epilogue detailed what happened to many of the major players involved in the disaster.

·       Author Adam Higginbotham writes great non-fiction.  I also enjoyed his work, Midnight at Chernobyl.

Overall, Challenger by Adam Higginbotham was a fascinating nonfiction audiobook on the Challenger Disaster that opened my eyes to aspects of the disaster and fall out.  This is a must read for any fans of space flight and/or NASA.