Shuttle, Houston: My Life in the Center Seat of Mission Control

by Paul Dye Narrated by John Pruden

Overview

From the longest-serving Flight Director in NASA's history comes a revealing account of high-stakes Mission Control work and the Space Shuttle program that has redefined our relationship with the universe.

A compelling look inside the Space Shuttle missions that helped lay the groundwork for the Space Age, Shuttle, Houston explores the determined personalities, technological miracles, and eleventh-hour saves that have given us human spaceflight.

Relaying stories of missions (and their grueling training) in vivid detail, Paul Dye, NASA's longest-serving Flight Director, examines the split-second decisions that the directors and astronauts were forced to make in a field where mistakes are unthinkable, and where errors led to the loss of national resources -- and more importantly one's crew. Dye's stories from the heart of Mission Control explain the mysteries of flying the Shuttle -- from the powerful fiery ascent to the majesty of on-orbit operations to the high-speed and critical re-entry and landing of a hundred-ton glider.

The Space Shuttles flew 135 missions. Astronauts conducted space walks, captured satellites, and docked with the Mir Space Station, bringing space into our everyday life, from GPS to satellite TV. Shuttle, Houston puts readers in his own seat at Mission Control, the hub that made humanity's leap into a new frontier possible.

Editorial Reviews

AUGUST 2020 - AudioFile

Space history enthusiasts will relish this audio production of retired NASA flight director Paul Dye’s memoir. Narrator John Pruden shares the author’s awe and reverence for the agency’s history, as well as the cultural and technological impacts of the shuttle program on everyday life. His grounded tone befits a man looking back on a forty-year career. Accessible writing connects listeners with serious events and scientific concepts, alongside humorous behind-the-scenes memories. Pruden subtly differentiates members of Mission Control and uses a light accent for the Russian scientists Dye worked with as part of cooperative endeavors between Russia and the U.S. throughout the 1990s. Future possibilities for space exploration and commercial partnership are highlighted. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

From the Publisher

"An excellent portrait of Mission Control, the teams, and the later missions. This should be required reading for anyone aspiring to be part of human space flight, as well as all scientists, engineers, project managers of any kind, and anyone considering a career in a highly complex field or program."
—Gene Kranz, Former Flight Director, NASA, and author Failure Is Not an Option

"Paul Dye pulls back the curtain on what it takes to be a Flight Controller, then a Flight Director in Mission Control. Like him, I've been both. Shuttle, Houston should not only entertain the casual, interested reader, but it should be invaluable to anyone aspiring to work in the 'Center Seat' whether that's in Mission Control or any other business or leadership position."—Milt Heflin, NASA 1966-2013, Retired, Johnson Space Center Chief Flight Director, 2001-2004, and coauthor of Go, Flight!

"I learned many of these lessons from Paul Dye as he taught me and two decades more of Mission Control leaders the ropes, in exactly these words! His guidance is as valuable today in any leadership setting as it always was."—Paul Sean Hill, Retired NASA Flight Director and Director of Mission Operations, and author of Leadership from the Mission Control Room to the Boardroom

"Shuttle, Houston gives us tremendous insight on the Mission Control Center. Paul Dye captures the awe and amazement of being part of that team. His wonderful explanations of how everyone works together and his understanding of the science and history will fascinate anyone who appreciates the dynamic world of human space exploration."
—Shannon Lucid, former Astronaut

"Richly detailed with the author’s own experiences and recollections, Shuttle, Houston covers virtually every aspect of Mission Control. By the time you finish reading this book, you will feel like you just participated in an actual space mission….A very interesting read."—National Space Society

"Terrific...a fascinating history of how America built and operated the most complex machine ever devised by man....Anyone who is interested in flying generally, the history of flight, or managing massive technical projects, will enjoy this read."—Kitplanes

"Government or commercial, capsule or shuttle, crewed spaceflight require the support of a mission control to ensure a safe mission. Wherever that mission control may be located and however it looks, it requires the same rigor and attention to detail described in Dye's book to ensure success."
—The Space Review

"With a clear voice from the onset, Dye deftly crafts the story of his many years working on the Shuttle program around the broader story of NASA at that time.... We are afforded a glimpse of the inner workings of NASA, a rare treat...the book is somehow referential and personal, thanks to the author's excellent writing skills. Packed with fascinating anecdotes from each mission...for anyone with even a passing interest in human spaceflight, this is a must-read.”—BBC Sky at Night Magazine

"Space history enthusiasts will relish this."—AudioFile

"A passionate look at the U.S. space shuttle program....The author fondly recalls in scrupulous detail the highlights of his three-decade career as a top NASA flight controller... both engaging and informative....The author's simple anecdotes about everyday working life at mission control that make for the most readable, entertaining sections....Dye's memoir is a balanced mix of moments both banal and breathtaking."
—Kirkus Reviews

"A fascinating insight into the inner workings of NASA."—Booklist

"Dye provides an insider view of historic events....This motivating book shows people succeeding at their best: smart, cooperative, innovative, and caring."—Library Journal

Library Journal

07/01/2020

With NASA and SpaceX making history in May 2020 with the first flight into orbit from American soil in a commercially built and operated American crew spacecraft, the United States has entered a new era in Space Exploration. As the U.S. embraces commercial enterprises running critical components of its space program, Dye, NASA's longest-serving flight director, assesses the successes and failures of previous missions, and reflects on the future of space exploration. Dye provides an insider view of historic events like the Columbia and the Challenger explosions as well as the United States collaborating with Russia to create an international space program. The book is filled with personal stories and recollections from several of the 39 missions that Dye has been involved in, and he continues to discuss how scientists can begin to train future leaders and inspire teams. Embedded throughout the book are lessons about the importance of hearing everyone's voice, quality assurance, and scenario planning. VERDICT Spaceflight is an inherently risky business, and Dye sheds insight into how NASA has used culture, technology, and training to mitigate this risk. This motivating book shows people succeeding at their best: smart, cooperative, innovative, and caring.—Beth Dalton, Littleton, CO

AUGUST 2020 - AudioFile

Space history enthusiasts will relish this audio production of retired NASA flight director Paul Dye’s memoir. Narrator John Pruden shares the author’s awe and reverence for the agency’s history, as well as the cultural and technological impacts of the shuttle program on everyday life. His grounded tone befits a man looking back on a forty-year career. Accessible writing connects listeners with serious events and scientific concepts, alongside humorous behind-the-scenes memories. Pruden subtly differentiates members of Mission Control and uses a light accent for the Russian scientists Dye worked with as part of cooperative endeavors between Russia and the U.S. throughout the 1990s. Future possibilities for space exploration and commercial partnership are highlighted. J.R.T. © AudioFile 2020, Portland, Maine

Kirkus Reviews

2020-04-22
A passionate look at the U.S. space shuttle program through the life’s work of the longest-serving flight director in NASA’s history.

As with many of his peers in the space and aeronautical industries, Dye’s occupational choice was inspired by SF literature and the romantic longing to live out such cosmic possibilities in real life. The author was among the earthbound heroes at NASA flight control who helped guide space shuttles through all aspects of a mission. A former scuba instructor who studied aeronautical engineering at the University of Minnesota, the author fondly recalls in scrupulous detail the highlights of his three-decade career as a top NASA flight controller. He combines folksy anecdotes (he uses the term “folks” a lot) with esoteric mechanical details to convey how these technologically remarkable yet fragile, temperamental shuttles worked—or sometimes didn’t. Although Dye’s impressive recall of every aspect of his job history is largely both engaging and informative, he is overly indulgent with the aeronautical shoptalk, severely testing general readers’ tolerance for acronyms (a common pitfall that both space and military memoirs share). On the whole, it’s the author’s simple anecdotes about everyday working life at mission control that make for the most readable, entertaining sections. For instance, Dye’s recounting of the 1990s Shuttle-Mir program, a famously cooperative gesture between Russia and the U.S., is an insider’s look at how two countries’ very different work philosophies merged to successfully complete an unprecedented mission. We also read about the unforgettable time employee negligence led to the spontaneous combustion of the office coffee maker, creating widespread panic among the caffeine-addicted mission control employees. Most insightful are Dye’s reflections on the 1986 Challenger disaster and the problematic mission control culture that led to this infamously televised catastrophe.

Dye’s memoir is a balanced mix of moments both banal and breathtaking.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940177851778
Publisher:	Hachette Audio
Publication date:	07/14/2020
Edition description:	Unabridged

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