The U. S. Space Program after Challenger

School Library Journal

Gr 7-12 Discussion of The U.S. Space Challenger Program After Challenger begins with a historical perspective and analyses of the causes of the Challeng er tragedy and subsequent rocket fail ures which have temporarily grounded the program. Foreign developments which impacted on the course of U. S. efforts and the decline in popularity and funding through the 1970s are detailed. The last Challenger flight is covered concisely, and the technical causes of the accident are traced to the early stages of shuttle planning and design as well as operations decisions regarding that specific flight. The latter half deals with the arguments for and against space exploration and manned versus unmanned programs; problems and prospects in space transportation and commercialization; an examination of the high costs of space projects; and possible directions for the future. Stern covers each topic thoroughly, and fair ly considers criticisms and arguments against the space program, although his pro-space bias is clear and well-rea soned. The photographs are not neces sary to the discourse, and their function as a decorative complement suffers from poor reproduction. This will be read in total by few students, but por tions will be valuable for research. Dennis Ford, Canandaigua Junior Academy, N.Y.