{"product_id":"the-new-guys-the-historic-class-of-astronauts-that-broke-barriers-and-changed-the-face-of-space-travel-9780063141971","title":"The New Guys: The Historic Class of Astronauts That Broke Barriers and Changed the Face of Space Travel","description":"\u003cp\u003eThe never-before-told story of NASAs 1978 astronaut class  which included the first American women  the first African Americans  the first Asian American  and the first gay person to fly to space. With the exclusive participation of the astronauts who were there  this is the thrilling  behind-the-scenes saga of a new generation that transformed space exploration The story of NASAs Astronaut Class 8  or The Fcking New Guys  as their military predecessors nicknamed them  is an unprecedented look at these extraordinary explorers who broke barriers and blasted through glass ceilings. Egos clashed  ambitions flared  and romances bloomed as the New Guys competed with one another and navigated the cutthroat internal politics at NASA for a chance to rocket to the stars. Marking a departure from the iconic military test pilots who had dominated the space program since its inception  the New Guys arrived at the dawn of a new era of space flight. Teardrop-shaped space capsules from Mercury  Gemini  and Apollo gave way to the space shuttle  a revolutionary space plane capable of launching like a rocket  hauling cargo like a truck  and landing back on Earth like an airliner. They mastered this new machine from its dangerous first test flights to its greatest achievements: launching hundreds of satellites  building the International Space Station  and deploying the Hubble Space Telescope. The New Guys depicts these charismatic young astronauts and the exuberant social and scientific progress of the space shuttle program against the efforts of NASA officials who struggled to meet Americas military demands and commercial aspirations. When NASA was pressured to fly more often and at greater risk  lives were lost in the programs two biggest disasters: Challenger (1986) and Columbia (2003). Caught in the crosshairs of this battle are the shuttle astronauts who gave their lives in those catastrophes  and who gave their lives work pursuing a more equitable future in space for all humankind. Through it all they became friends  rivals  lovers  and ultimately  family.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"My Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45651846332469,"sku":"ByrdShop_0063141973","price":37.01,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0627\/8139\/0901\/files\/9780063141971.jpg?v=1781842088","url":"https:\/\/atxbooks.com\/products\/the-new-guys-the-historic-class-of-astronauts-that-broke-barriers-and-changed-the-face-of-space-travel-9780063141971","provider":"ATX Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}