Higginbotham’s narrative reveals the explosion of the Challenger in its Prologue. How does knowing the fate of the Challenger impact the way the shuttle program’s backstory is perceived? What narrative choices does Higginbotham make to dramatize the tragedy?

Trace the changes that the purpose of the United States’ space program has undergone throughout its existence. How has space travel been shaped by various forces, such as politics or economics? What factors currently affect modern-day space travel?

The components of the space shuttle as well as conditions surrounding it were carefully scrutinized prior to each launch. The book explains that this process took the form of what was termed the “Flight Readiness Review.” How were both scientific data and human instinct or emotions factors in this process? What does the book argue about the balance between the two?