Failure is Not an Option

ISBN-10:
ISBN-13: 978-1439148815
AUTHOR: Gene Kranz
PAGES: 416
FORMAT: Softcover

Gene Kranz was at the heart of America’s manned space program from its inception, playing a pivotal role for over three decades. As a NASA flight director, he witnessed history unfold, guiding missions from the early Mercury program through the final Apollo flights and beyond. He endured the turbulent early years when rocket failures plagued the U.S. space effort, all while the nation struggled to keep pace with the Soviet Union. Kranz was instrumental in launching Alan Shepard and John Glenn, later leading the Gemini program to success. Alongside his team, he embraced the challenge of fulfilling President John F. Kennedy’s vision of landing a man on the Moon before the 1960s ended.

In this riveting firsthand account, Kranz reveals the high-stakes reality behind missions that seemed flawless to the public but were often fraught with danger and near disasters. When technology faltered, mission controllers relied on their expertise, trust, and teamwork to keep astronauts safe. Offering a behind-the-scenes look at the leadership and discipline that defined NASA’s success, Failure Is Not an Option not only recounts America’s greatest space triumphs but also reflects on the current state of space exploration and Kranz’s vision for its future.