Space Shuttle Operator's Manual, Revised Edition

This book is the best overview and reference manual on the shuttle. As you can see from the "Look Inside" function, and by the index, it covers the whole nine yards. It focuses specifically on the orbiter, and covers all aspects of shuttle missions from launch to landing.As an aspiring sci-fi writer, I found this book to be the perfect reference. It has raw statistics, such as orbiter length, cargo bay volume, and it even goes over the meals and menus and how they are prepared. It also goes in to the history of the orbiters, and the names of the ever shrinking shuttle fleet.Several sections deal with the now-defunct Spacelab modules. The Spacelab was the shuttle equivalent of a camper shell that sat in the cargo bay. It turned the shuttle into a mini space-station, and had several interchangeable modules. One section was a pressurized module with a battery of experiments, which was connected to the shuttle cockpit. Other sections included a multi-use pallet, and an experimental pallet. This Spacelab was retired in 1997, and has been replaced by the Spacehab modules, which was on the Columbia when it broke-up over Texas.This book is written in the normal "Basic English" of instruction manuals, and can be understood by elementary school children. It also has many diagrams and pictures, which save many thousands of words of descriptions.By the way, this book does explain how the space lavatory. In case you are curious, it is a normal commode with vacuum suction, although I have heard stories that it can smell at times.This book's one weakness is that it is a bit impersonal. If you want to know about the emotions and reactions to life in spaces, another book may be better, such as Tom Wolfe's "The Right Stuff," of Homer Hickam's "Back to the Moon.". As you read this book, you must supply your own excitement and emotion to this book, since it is an operator's manual. It reads a bit like an encyclopedia, or dictionary, and not a novel.After reading and referencing this book, I felt as if I had been on board!

I agree with most of the above comments regarding this book, other than the one about NASA propaganda, which I did not see in this book. While, I was skeptical at first when I first ordered it thinking that the book was going to be very basic, I was later very impressed with the detail that the book actualy went into on how the shuttle works and how one lives and works in space. I would caution though, that if you teach from this book that you make sure the shuttle systems and payloads are up to date by checking he Nasa websites. Because of its publishing date, this book does not deal with the Multifunctional Electronic Display Subsystem (MEDS), or "glass cockpit," that is on the three remaining orbiters. The MEDS system replaced the 32 analog gauges and four cathode ray tube monitors in the old cockpit with 11 state-of-the-art, full-color flat panel displays to reduce the pilot's workload. The first glass cockpit was installed in Shuttle Atlantis in 2000. Since this book was revised in 1988, the MEDS system is not mentioned in it. Also, some of the payloads mentioned in the book are out of date, so before you teach from this book, please make sure that you follow-up and update your teaching material. Overall, well worth the money as a teaching and learning aid.

My stepdad was a Navy fighter pilot in the 70's and 80's, and was selected for astronaut candidacy. He was issued this book as a reference tool, and I remember looking through it at about 9 years old with total amazement. 20 years later it was lost in several moves, so I found it here and promptly ordered it. Very comprehensive information on all aspects of STS missions. Now in late 2012 it's obviously obsolete, but it's still a fascinating look into one of mankinds greatest achievements. Highly recommended.

I love this book, very informative and great illustrations. I recommend it to any one that is a space enthusiast.I would of given it 5 stars but I was miss led, the description of the book said it was a hard back book but I received the paper back.

I'M A PROUD CUSTOMER !! DUE TO THE INDEPENDENT REASON : THE ITEM ORDERED ARRIVED ,ON THE SELECTED TIME FRAME. I'VE READ A FEW PAGES OF IT....GOT DISTRACTED FROM A FRIEND OF MINE... ALL OF A SUDDEN ... HE WANTED TO READ IT ! I GAVE HIM PERMISSION TO READ IT. BECAUSE FRIENDS' WILL GIVE IT BACK TO YOU & SOME FAMILY MEMBERS' WILL CLAIM IT AS THEIR OWN PRIVATE PROPERTY ! DO YOU GET MY DRIFT...

I owned this book when I was young. I loved it then and then somehow lost it. To have it again is a blessing.

years ago I had this very book,but it was a bit thrashed from reading it daily in the Shuttle Program era.to make up for it,I saw this book and found it to be a great bargain,and welcome addition once again to my space books collection..job well done!

this is really neat...i got it for a 1 cent plus shipping years after the shuttles had been retired...very interesting bathroom reading...you can just open it anywhere and start reading or just look at the pictures and diagrams...wish i'd had this 40 years ago...

Space Shuttles' Operator's ManualThis Manual is a must have..!Many Pilots who fly the SSM is duty bound to read and remember the functions of the shuttle!This Manual will put you in a very good stance for all that is required to fly the SSM & enjoy the mission as for real. Close anyway!!