Springer Praxis Books Series

Disasters and Accidents in Manned Spaceflight

by Shayler David

Published 17 May 2000

In Disasters and Accidents in Manned Spaceflight, David Shayler examines the challenges that face all crews as they prepare and execute their missions. The book covers all aspects that make up spaceflight by a human crew - training, launch to space, survival in space and return from space - followed by a series of case histories which tell of the major incidents in each of those categories over the past 40 years. The sixth section looks at the International Space Station and how it is planned, to try and prevent, as far as possible, major incidents occuring during the lifetime of the space station, and at the difficulties facing a settlement on the Moon or Mars during the next 40 years.

Gemini - Steps to the Moon

by Shayler David

Published 1 September 2001

In Gemini - Steps to the Moon, author David Shayler unfolds the story of the origin and development of the programme and the spacecraft from the perspective of the engineers, flight controllers and astronauts involved. It includes chapters on flight tests, Extra Vehicular Activity (EVA) and rendezvous and docking.

Skylab

by Shayler David

Published 28 May 2001

Skylab is not just a story of space hardware and space science, but also of space explorers and pioneers. Using official NASA documentation and interviews with the astronauts and key personnel, the inside story of Skylab is presented as the story unfolds. An evaluation of the lessons learnt from the programme and how these were, or were not, incorporated into the Space Shuttle and Space Station programme is also offered to present the value of Skylab in the context of the current programme, 25 years after the last crew came home.

Space Rescue

by Shayler David

Published 13 February 2009

Looks forward to the completion of the ISS, possibility of return to the moon, manned flights to Mars, and the prospect of safety and rescue far beyond.

Describes the role of Mission Control and recovery forces in ensuring the support from the ground to the crew in space.

Provides a unique range of historic archive of material on the Russian programme.

Presents a review of the Columbia accident, its investigation and various proposed rescue scenarios.

Details escape systems devised for rocket research aircraft, early manned spacecraft, abort and recovery options from Earth orbit, and from lunar distance.

Demonstrates that crew safety has been a factor in planning and mounting on all manned spaceflights.