Adam Higginbotham's recent book, "Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space," offers a detailed examination of the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster. The book places the catastrophic event within the broader context of U.S. space history, outlining the progression from the 1967 Apollo launchpad fire and leading up to the 2003 Columbia shuttle disaster.
"Challenger" recounts both the technical and administrative failures that contributed to the explosion, which occurred just over a minute into the flight, killing all seven crew members. Higginbotham combines a narrative of the shuttle program's initial excitement with a critical look at the overlooked technical problems.
The book provides an accessible exploration of the shuttle mechanics, punctuated by a gripping account of the aftermath. This includes the search and recovery operations and the subsequent investigations into the disaster. Higginbotham's work delves into how systemic issues within NASA led to the tragedy, making it a significant resource for understanding this pivotal moment in space exploration history.