"Space stories" by Jean-François Clervoy

The European Space Agency’s French astronaut explains to us why he chose to relate the human, personal side of manned space flights.

 

Motivation, team spirit, professionalism, courage, etc. There is no lack of positive words when it comes to talking about the men and women who go up into space. But these men and women also have their own doubts, weaknesses, professional and family difficulties. And it is this personal side of manned space flights that Jean-François Clervoy (3 space shuttle flights to his credit) decided to highlight in a book entitled “Histoire(s) d’Espace” (Space stories).

Jean-François Clervoy signing copies of his book at the “Cité de l’Espace” on 17 November 2009. Credit: Cité de l’espace

How does NASA react when one of its astronauts loses a brother in an accident a few days before lift-off? What is the greatest emotion that a manned space flight participant experiences? The lift-off itself? Not necessarily, as Jean-François Clervoy explains in his book that it can be the announcement of your selection for a flight, especially the first one. “Histoire(s) d’Espace” (Space stories) modestly but humorously covers all the aspects, sometimes intimate, of the life of an astronaut. A book not to be missed for a better understanding of the true life story which is hidden behind the flight of our civilisation to the stars.

"Histoire(s) d’Espace" (Space stories) by Jean-François Clervoy
Published by Jacob-Duvernet
Text in French - 218 pages - €19.90 (retail price)

Published on 18 November 2009