Shuttle Down Author:Lee Correy Lee Correy is the pen name of the late G. Harry Stine, an ex-NASA launch safety officer. As can expected from that background, he knows exactly what can go wrong on the Space Shuttle, and the how to create the worst situation for NASA short of another Challenger disaster. During a routine launch to polar orbit from Vandenburg AFB (which once upo... more »n a time NASA had intended to be a second launch site), the shuttle Atlantis suffers a shutdown on all three of it's main engines.
Halfway across the Pacific and unable to make orbit, the only place Atlantis can land is the most remote spot on Earth, Easter Island. Though the crew lands safely, NASA's troubles are only beginning, as they realize how ill-prepared they are for a landing in a place that's literally 3000 miles from anywhere.
Between flying in supplies and equipment, dealing with a touchy political situation in Chile (Easter Island's colonial master), and convincing a skeptical American press that they can bring their bird home safe, there's plenty going on.« less