NASA's Scientist Astronauts

David J. Shayler and Colin Burgess

The first astronauts were military test pilots. Science was never at the forefront of their minds – their primary objective was to survive the mission and report on engineering aspects of their flights. In 1965, the first of two teams of NASA scientist-astronauts was selected, but not without causing immediate outcries and deep divisions within the ranks of existing astronauts, who hotly contended that the scientists’ lack of flight and technical experience could jeopardise the safety of future missions and the crews’ lives.

NASA’s Scientist-Astronauts:

is the first book about NASA’s two scientist-astronaut groups from the 1960s
reveals how their fortunes and careers were shaped or even cut short by budgets, politics and flight opportunities
provides an inside view of the workings of the Astronaut Office
tells how the first astronaut scientists and physicians pioneered the Science officer role on the ISS

This incredible story relates how a small number of dedicated scientists helped NASA shape personal scientific research in space. Easily readable and well-illustrated, it is an invaluable source of reference for all speceflight enthusiasts.

Table of Contents

Foreword
Authors' Preface
Acknowledgements
List of Illustrations
List of Tables
List of Abbreviations
Other Works
Prologue
1. The Wrong Stuff
2. Scientists as Astronauts
3. The Scientific Six
4. School for Scientists
5. The Excess Eleven
6. 'Flying Is Just Not My Cup of Tea'
7. A Geologist on the Moon
8. Laboratories in the Sky
9. Shuttling into Space
10. The Long Wait
11. Ending of Eras
12. Science Officers on ISS
Appendix 1 -- Chronology of the NASA Scientist-Astronaut Programme
Appendix 2 -- Scientist-Astronaut Careers and Experience
Appendix 3 -- Spaceflight Records and EVA Experience
Appendix 4 -- Profiles of the Seventeen
Appendix 5 -- Where Are They Now?
Bibliography
Index

Extent: 600 pages
Binding: Paperback
Publication Date: August 2006
ISBN: 978-0-387-21897-7

Home