Salyut - The First Space Station: Triumph and Tragedy (Springer Praxis Books / Space Exploration)

Nearly 40 years after the tragic loss of the Soyuz 11 crew on June 30, 1971, Ivanovich has written a highly detailed account of the history of the first Salyut space station program. The author chronicles the events leading to establishment of the project and takes the reader through the chronology of the 23-day mission leading to the deaths of Dobrovolsky, Volkov and Patsayev. Similar to Cabbage and Harwood's "Comm Check," the book provides information on the subsequent investigation and the consequences to the Soviet/Russian space program. Ivanovich reinforces other works that also demonstrate why the Soviets lost the moon race - inflated egos, mismanagement, bureaucracy and poor quality control - all of which resulted in the needless death of the crew. From the tragic loss, however, a more robust and safer space program ensued. The prose is at times highly technical but reader patience is rewarded. The black-and-white photographs include many never before published. Ivanovich takes considerable effort in providing details of the lives and experiences of the three cosmonauts, including exerpts from family members. This book is also a great companion piece to "The First Soviet Cosmonaut Team" and should be required reading for anyone who has been a follower of the Soviet/Russian space program.