REVIEWS

摘要

These days space launches, even manned missions, gain only brief attention by the hews media. This creates the impression that spaceflight has become routine. But when something goes wrong the world's media go into hyperdrive, scratching for every morsel of comment from experts real and self-anointed alike. As with aircraft accidents the stories aired at the time leave the real questions hanging. Only after the ensuing inquiry produces its report will be real cause be known, and lessons for the future learned. Even then it is often hard to find the facts. This is where David Shayler's book "Disasters and Accidents in Manned Spaceflight" is most welcome. It includes much detail of the Soviet incidents which were for many years highly mysterious. There is material that I have not seen elsewhere.