Over the course of the 135 Space Shuttle missions, astronauts conducted space walks, captured satellites, and docked with the Mir Space Station; a lot of the work, however, took place back on Earth. Relaying stories of missions (and their grueling training) in vivid detail, Paul Dye, NASA's longest-serving Flight Director, examines the split-second decisions that he and astronauts were forced to make in a field where mistakes are unthinkable, and where errors could be catastrophic. Dye's stories from Mission Control explain the mysteries of flying the Shuttle, from the powerful fiery ascent to re-entry and landing of a hundred-ton glider.

"Dye provides an insider view of historic events…. This motivating book shows people succeeding at their best: smart, cooperative, innovative, and caring."—Library Journal