Riding Rockets: The Outrageous Tales of a Space Shuttle Astronaut

Mike Mullane takes readers inside NASA's Space Shuttle program through his firsthand account as an astronaut from 1978 to 1990. His memoir covers the selection process, rigorous training, and three space missions aboard Discovery and Atlantis. The book provides details of both the technical and human elements of spaceflight, from the complexities of operating the shuttle to the relationships between crew members. Mullane describes the culture within NASA during the 1980s and the physical and psychological challenges astronauts faced. Personal anecdotes reveal Mullane's path from an Air Force pilot to becoming one of NASA's first group of Space Shuttle astronauts. His account includes interactions with fellow astronauts, NASA officials, and his family throughout his career. The memoir explores themes of risk, dedication, and the price of pursuing extreme ambitions. Through Mullane's perspective, readers gain insight into the mindset required to sit atop millions of pounds of explosive fuel in pursuit of space exploration.

Readers highlight Mullane's raw honesty and humor in describing both the technical aspects of spaceflight and the human side of being an astronaut. The book offers unvarnished accounts of NASA culture, astronaut training, and personal struggles. Readers appreciate: - Detailed technical explanations without overwhelming jargon - Behind-the-scenes NASA stories and culture - Frank discussion of fear, competition, and relationships - Humor throughout, including self-deprecating stories - Coverage of Challenger disaster's impact Common criticisms: - Some find his attitudes toward women astronauts dated - Occasional crude humor and language - Repetitive stories in certain sections Ratings across platforms: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (2,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4.7/5 (890+ ratings) Sample review: "Mullane pulls no punches. He's brutally honest about his fears, failings, and the realities of spaceflight. Not your typical sanitized astronaut memoir." - Amazon reviewer

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🚀 Mike Mullane flew on three Space Shuttle missions (STS-41-D, STS-27, and STS-36) and spent a total of 356 hours in space before retiring from NASA in 1990. 🌟 The book reveals how astronauts dealt with the psychological burden of the Challenger disaster, including Mullane's personal struggle with survivor's guilt and NASA's subsequent cultural changes. 🛸 Unlike many NASA memoirs, Mullane candidly discusses the less glamorous aspects of astronaut life, including the challenges of using the toilet in zero gravity and the physical effects of space adaptation syndrome. ⭐ The author completed 134 combat missions in Vietnam as an RF-4C weapon system operator before becoming an astronaut, bringing valuable military aviation experience to NASA. 🌍 Throughout the book, Mullane describes the intense physical strain of launch, noting that astronauts experience up to three times the force of gravity during ascent and must train extensively to avoid blacking out.