The Astronaut Maker How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation
The Astronaut Maker: How One Mysterious Engineer Ran Human Spaceflight for a Generation by Michael Cassutt, published by Chicago Review Press on June 2, 2020, is a reprint edition comprising 480 pages. This book explores the life of George W. S. Abbey, a pivotal yet enigmatic figure in NASA’s history, known for his significant influence on human spaceflight. It chronicles Abbey’s journey from aspiring astronaut to a key bureaucrat and director of the Johnson Space Center, detailing his role in astronaut selection and major events in NASA’s history.
Readers will find an in-depth examination of Abbey’s career, highlighting his involvement in critical moments such as the Apollo 1 tragedy and the Apollo 13 recovery effort. The narrative also addresses Abbey’s contributions to diversifying the astronaut corps, including the recruitment of women and minorities, and his role in hiring Sally Ride. The Astronaut Maker provides a comprehensive insider’s perspective on the dynamics of ambition and power within NASA, making it a significant addition to the fields of biography, science, and technology.
Official synopsis Publisher
One of the most elusive and controversial figures in NASA’s history, George W. S. Abbey was said to be secretive, despotic, a Space Age Machiavelli. Yet Abbey had more influence on human spaceflight than almost anyone in history. His story has never been told–until now. The Astronaut Maker takes readers inside NASA to learn the real story of how Abbey rose to power, from young pilot and wannabe astronaut to engineer, bureaucrat, and finally director of the Johnson Space Center. During a thirty-seven-year career, mostly out of the spotlight, he oversaw the selection of every astronaut class from 1978 to 1987, deciding who got to fly and when. He was with the Apollo 1 astronauts the night before the fatal fire in January 1967. He was in mission control the night of the Apollo 13 accident and organized the recovery effort. Abbey also led NASA’s recruitment of women and minorities as space shuttle astronauts and was responsible for hiring Sally Ride. The Astronaut Maker is the ultimate insider’s account of ambition and power politics at NASA.
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