On February 1, 2003, the unthinkable happened. The space shuttle Columbia disintegrated 37 miles above Texas, seven brave astronauts were killed and America's space program, always an eyeblink from disaster, suffered its second catastrophic in-flight failure. Unlike the Challenger disaster 17 years earlier, Columbia's destruction left the nation one failure away from the potential abandonment of human space exploration. Media coverage in the immediate aftermath focused on the possible cause of the disaster, and on the nation's grief. But the full human story, and the shocking details of NASA's crucial mistakes, have never been told -- until now. Based on dozens of exclusive interviews, never-before-published documents and recordings of key meetings obtained by the authors, Comm Check takes the reader inside the conference rooms and offices where NASA's best and brightest managed the nation's multi-billion-dollar shuttle program -- and where they failed to recognize the signs of an impending disaster. It is the story of a space program pushed to the brink of failure by relentless political pressure, shrinking budgets and flawed decision making. The independent investigation into the disaster uncovered why Columbia broke apart in the sky above Texas. Comm Check brings that story to life with the human drama behind the tragedy. Michael Cabbage and William Harwood, two of America's most respected space journalists, are veterans of all but a handful of NASA's 113 shuttle missions. Tapping a network of sources and bringing a combined three decades of experience to bear, the authors provide a rare glimpse into NASA's inner circles, chronicling the agency's most devastating failure and the challenges that face NASA as it struggles to return America to space.

No one challenges the Voidrunners. No one robs their Rails. No one can beat their AI. Not until desperation forces one young man and his friends to defy the impossible. A motley crew of asteroid miners stage a hack on an FTL ship accelerator in a desperate act of piracy. Fate turns against them even before the heist begins. Reeling from complications, they raid the luxury liner caught in their trap only to face graver dangers...like betrayal.

5, 4, 3, 2, 1 Ignition: We Have a Lift Off By: Robert Brewster The world watched as Neil Armstrong took his first steps on the moon and proclaimed his most famous quote, “That’s one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.” While men were landing on the moon, Bob Brewster ensured that the US space programs missile programs proved effective and efficient. 5,4,3,2,1 Ignition covers the history of the space program, Bob Brewster’s patent specifications, and recommendations for how to improve the space program. Join him as he guides you through the technical complications of missile launches.

Love may be the toughest battle of all Captain Bennett Oscar Sheraton Navy SEAL, the best of the best Dr. Kimberly Warren Brilliant engineer, founder of secret space program When scientists on Dr. Warren's super-secret space mission start dying, Navy SEAL Captain Sheraton is sent in as an astronaut candidate with a hidden agenda—find the person sabotaging the program. Kimberly and Bennett's instant attraction may prove to be a major distraction—or it might be the key to both of their dreams coming true... West Coast Navy SEALs Series: A SEAL at Heart (Book 1) Once a SEAL (Book 2) A SEAL Forever (Book 3) The Soul of a SEAL (Book 4) Praise for Anne Elizabeth: "Anne Elizabeth writes Navy SEALs from the heart—action-packed, intense and sexy." —#1 New York Times bestseller Christine Feehan for Once a SEAL "Sexy romance and super-hot concept." —RT Book Reviews, 4 Stars for A SEAL Forever