Preface; Introduction; Chapter 1 Defining the Shuttle: The Spaceplane Tradition; Chapter 2 Designing the Shuttle: Living within the Political System; Chapter 3 Managing the Space Shuttle: Leadership, Change, and Big Technology; Chapter 4 Engineering the Engine: The Space Shuttle Main Engine; Chapter 5 Protecting the Body: The Orbiter's Thermal Protection System; Chapter 6 Revolutionizing Electronics: Software and the Challenge of Flight Control; Chapter 7 Flying the Shuttle: Operations from Preparation through Flight to Recovery; Chapter 8 Using the Shuttle: Operations on Orbit; Chapter 9 Losing the Shuttle (or Nearly): Accidents and Anomalies; Chapter 10 Constructing a Port in Orbit: The Space Shuttle and Building the Space Station; Chapter 11 A Victory for Clean Interfaces: Europe's Participation in the Space Shuttle Program; Chapter 12 Living and Working on the Shuttle: The Challenge of Routine; Chapter 13 W owing the Public: The Shuttle as a Cultural Icon; Chapter 14 Retiring the Space Shuttle: What Next?; Chapter 15 Epilogue; Index.