It seems all the bolts have fallen off. Hawley yanks a manual from under his leg, and begins scribbling notes in what looks like Gambian. We've been up for four minutes and will be in Africa in 20. The Shuttle is a glider and can lean only on its momentum to reach Banjul. Bowersox's control stick suddenly goes dead and the Shuttle yaws.
Instructions rattle in from the ground.
It's not until they hear they'll make Banjul that they relax. Emerald-green Gambia appears in the window, and the Shuttle bobs and weaves toward the runway. I'm cinched in the simulator for four hours and three disaster-packed launches. I'm freezing cold, ravenous and my legs are going to sleep. And I'm not even wearing a pain-training suit.