Spacewalker

“As an astronaut for over three decades, one who participated in some of the most challenging and exciting Shuttle missions, Jerry Ross knows spaceflight. In Spacewalker, he details the exultation of actually being in space and brings to life the realities of preparing for and executing one of the most difficult of all human endeavors. Spacewalker is the book for anyone who ever dreamed of flying in space.”

–Neil Armstrong, commander of Apollo 11

“I have known Jerry Ross for many years, as an astronaut, a friend, and as a fellow alumnus of Purdue University. We’ve had many opportunities to share our experiences and our dreams for space exploration. We share a passion for inspiring young people. This is the story of one man’s lifelong quest to explore the unknown, overcome setbacks and obstacles, and keep the beacon of space shining in the hearts of all people, young and old. This book is about an American Dream.”

–Eugene Cernan, NASA Gemini and Apollo astronaut; co-author of The Last Man on the Moon in his foreword to Spacewalker

“Seven times in space, a first and a record matched by only one other. As flight director I sweated out the gut-wrenching final seconds on launch day many times. In the seconds before launch I said a prayer for my team, and then at the instant the rocket was freed of its earthly shackles I briefly prayed for our crew. Most astronauts of my day would fly but two or three missions, but Jerry Ross faced the fire and the risks of launch day repeatedly. This book is the story of a common man from the Midwest who became an American hero . . . a model for the youth of our nation and for those who will accept the challenge to follow in his footsteps.”

–Gene Kranz, NASA flight director for Gemini and Apollo, including Apollo 11 and 13; author of Failure Is Not an Option

“As a NASA training manager, I knew Jerry Ross as one of the steadiest and smartest astronauts in the agency. He was also one of the nicest! No matter who you were or what your job was, Jerry always took the time to express his appreciation for the work you were doing. Frankly, considering the pressures we were always under, I wondered what made Jerry so nice. Now that I've read his memoir, I know. Jerry Ross is the genuine article, a man of humble roots who decided to be the best he could be while never forgetting the lessons of honesty, integrity, and family he learned along the way. Great memoirs have to strike a balance between history, circumstance, purpose, and passion. By this or any standard, Spacewalker is a great memoir. Jerry tells his story straight from the heart, and it is a magnificent tale of courage and faith. If you liked Rocket Boys/October Sky, you're going to love this book!"

–Homer Hickam, author of Rocket Boys/October Sky and Crater

“This book is a must-read! Astronaut Jerry Ross has seen our Space Shuttle program from start to finish, and more. No other person has experienced the depth and breadth of the Space Shuttle intrigue as Jerry has. You will be inspired by the story of a young man chasing his dream . . . and achieving it many times over. You will be taken inside the private side of astronauts’ lives, as they train and fly their intense and risky missions. You will learn and remember the greatness of America’s Space Shuttle program. This story has all of it: the humor, the tragedy, the family view, the technical side, as well as Jerry’s personal perspective of our country’s great Space Shuttle program. There is no other book like this; it is a gem!”

–Eileen Collins, first woman to pilot and command US space missions

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