Table of Contents

Introduction     

SECTION I. PROBLEMS IN DEVELOPMENT
One. In the Beginning     
Two. A History of Success? The Solids     

SECTION II. COUNTDOWN TO DISASTER
Three. 51-C: Too Cold for the Military     
Four. 1985 Was Not a Good Year     
Five. Pre-Flight: Dangers Not Seen     

SECTION III. CHALLENGER'S FINAL MISSION
Six. A Cold Morning Like No Other     
Seven. The Final Ascent: The Flight of Challenger     
Eight. Post-Flight Operations     

SECTION IV. INVESTIGATIONS AND RECOVERY
Nine. The Challenger Investigation     
Ten. Unanswered Questions: Beyond the Commission     
Eleven. Recovery for Flight? STS-26     

SECTION V. FROM CHALLENGER TO COLUMBIA
Twelve. Beyond the Recovery: Was It Really Fixed?     
Thirteen. The Fall of Space Shuttle Columbia     
Fourteen. On the Road Again     

SECTION VI. THE FUTURE OF MANNED SPACEFLIGHT
Fifteen. A Look to the Future     

Appendix I. Shuttle Flights Pre-Challenger Disaster     
Appendix II. The Flights of Columbia     
Appendix III. The Mission and Crew of Challenger 51-L     
Appendix IV. The Crew of Columbia STS-107     
Appendix V. Personal Observations on the Reliability of the Shuttle by Dr. Richard P. Feynman     
Appendix VI. The Columbia Emails: Opportunities Missed     
Appendix VII. Mission 51-L Press Kit     
Abbreviations and Definitions     
Chapter Notes     
Bibliography     
Index