Shuttle Down

by Lee Correy, G. Harry Stine

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.

Genres: Science Fiction

224 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 1, 1981

About the author

Pseudonym for G. Harry Stine.

Reviews

[Arnold]

A cool, lean, highly procedural techno-thriller in which a space shuttle makes an emergency landing on Easter Island, and characters have to figure out exactly what it might actually take to get the orbiter back to the United States. The technical details feel grounded and plausible, and I found that stuff most compelling. The characters feel a bit exaggerated and pulpy, and events toward the end get overly dramatic in a way that undercuts the mostly realistic approach. But I still had a good time with Shuttle Down.

[Caitlin Nikolai]

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.

[Dwayne Coleman]

I remember reading this as a kid, maybe when I was about twelve, and liking it. I wonder if it would hold up for me now.

[Dscotthep]

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.

[Gena Lott]

An action packed story with very good details about the shuttle and its operations. Lee Correy is the pen name of G. Harry Stine.

[Troy]

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.

[SciFiOne]

1986 grade B

Not SciFi.

Published under Lee Correy