Come Fly with Us: NASA's Payload Specialist Program

Come Fly with Us is the 2020 Space Hipsters Prize for Best Book in Astronomy, Space Exploration, or Space History. It tells the story of an elite group of space travelers who flew as members of many space shuttle crews from pre-Challenger days to Columbia in 2003. The authors focus on this special fraternity of spacefarers and their individual reflections on living and working in space, as well as NASA's struggle to integrate them into the professional astronaut ranks.

Format: Paperback / softback
Length: 454 pages
Publication date: 01 May 2024
Publisher: University of Nebraska Press

Come Fly with Us is a captivating tale that delves into the remarkable journey of an elite group of space travelers. These exceptional individuals, known as "payload specialists," embarked on their cosmic adventures as members of numerous space shuttle crews, spanning from the pre-Challenger era to the historic Columbia mission in 2003. Unlike the regular NASA astronaut corps, these professionals hailed from diverse backgrounds and were selected for a multitude of scientific, political, and national security reasons. Melvin Croft and John Youskauskas, the authors of this captivating book, focus their attention on this unique fraternity of spacefarers, offering insightful perspectives on their experiences of living and working in space.

What sets this book apart is the perspective of the payload specialists, who are relatively unknown to the general public and often embark on single missions. These individuals provide an extraordinary insight into the awe-inspiring realm of human spaceflight, offering a perspective that is both unique and captivating. The authors also shed light on NASA's ongoing challenge of integrating the diverse personalities and professions of these remarkable men and women into the esteemed ranks of professional astronauts.

While Come Fly with Us primarily chronicles the experiences of the payload specialists up to and including the tragic Challenger tragedy, the authors also delve into the later high-profile flights of a select few. These include the remarkable journeys of Barbara Morgan, John Glenn, who achieved the remarkable feat of returning to space at the age of seventy-seven, and Ilan Ramon of Israel aboard Columbia on its final, tragic flight, STS-107.

In conclusion, Come Fly with Us is a must-read for anyone with an interest in astronomy, space exploration, or space history. This captivating book offers a unique perspective on the world of space travel, providing a glimpse into the lives and experiences of the payload specialists who have contributed to the remarkable achievements of space exploration. By delving into the challenges and triumphs of these exceptional individuals, the authors have created a truly captivating and informative narrative that will leave readers eagerly anticipating their next adventure in the vast expanse of space.

Dimension: 229 x 152 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781496238627