Book review: Into The Black

WITH interest in space travel in the UK and Ireland enjoying a boost, thanks to the British astronaut Tim Peake working on board the International Space Station, Rowland White’s book Into The Black is perfectly timed.

Rowland White

Bantam Press, £18.99; ebook, £9.99

It focuses on the world’s ‘first real spaceship’, Space Shuttle Columbia, whose maiden flight was 35 years ago, in April 1981 — the same shuttle that tragically broke apart on re-entry after 27 missions in 2003.

White’s research is where the book excels, as he spoke to many of the people involved with NASA’s ground-breaking program.

This is a fascinating story that takes us through the intensity of the Cold War and the extreme measures needed to finally breech earth’s orbit.

There is also a great respect given to those who paid the ultimate price to test these new, unexplored frontiers.

This is a story of hope and breathtaking adventure.