Space Shuttle Atlantis launches on a polar orbit flight from Vandenberg Air Force Base in Southern California. During the launch, the main engines cut off prematurely and the shuttle is forced to make an emergency landing on Rapa Nui, better known to most of the world as Easter Island.Landing is just the start of the problems for NASA, who now have to deal with the immense technological challenge of getting the shuttle back home, as well as many political problems.
Keeping in mind this book was written in the early 1980's, I enjoyed the read. There was a mix of science and international politics that danced very well together (I typically hate politics.) There wasn't much growth in the characters until the very end, but the dynamics between them were well done.
Read this as a kid (~40 years ago). I enjoyed it but it left no lasting impression on me and I completely forgot about it until it popped up in an unrelated search today.
A lot of build-up and difficulties getting the stuff there POLITICALLY, plus minor physical difficulty; then the end was over way too quick and smoothly.