I love when I find a new science fiction novel that is a great read, and I lucked out again with Ruthless Sky by DK Broadwell. The novel is set in the year 1989 of an alternate history where the space shuttle Challenger had a successful mission. NASA continued to push the USA space program ahead at full speed without the real life 32-month halt following the explosion of the shuttle.

NASA is launching the space shuttle Intrepid; however, complications after the launch, leaves the astronauts staring death in the eye. After a partially failed rescue mission from a combined USA and Soviet Union effort, the book follows our two main characters, Catherine Riley and Hayes Bartlett, as they grow close while choosing to fight and live rather than wallow in the misery of their situation.

The book also briefly explores the political side of the space shuttle program in the waning days of the Cold War. I actually could’ve gone with more of this aspect, as I feel that was an interesting angle that was only touched on.

This is Broadwell’s first novel, and this is right up his alley. His knowledge as a former NASA flight surgeon in the space shuttle program bleeds through every page. Broadwell does a great job explaining technical, space shuttle-specific details in a way that makes them accessible to the layman.

I don’t know what Broadwell has planned for a future novel, but I would love a continuation of this alternate history.

You can pick up the book here.