Final Orbit

A Novel

De: Chris Hadfield

Narrado por: Ray Porter

An edge-of-your-seat thriller about China's secret role in the space race—written by the New York Times bestselling author of The Apollo Murders and one of the most experienced astronauts alive.

Houston, 1975. A new Apollo mission launches into orbit, on course to dock with a Russian Soyuz craft: three NASA astronauts and three cosmonauts, joining to celebrate a new dawn of Soviet-American cooperation. But as NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis listens in from Earth, a deadly accident onboard the orbiting spacecraft changes everything.

Meanwhile, from a remote location in east Asia, the first Chinese spacecraft secretly launches. On board is China’s first astronaut, Fang Kuo-chun, whose mission puts him on a collision course with the Apollo crew.

As Kaz races against an enemy on the ground and for answers beyond the sky, the safety of the remaining crew hangs in the balance…

Perfect for fans of Project Hail Mary and filled with shocking twists and real history—including the fascinating story of Professor Tsien Hsue-shen, the “Father of Chinese Rocketry” and founder of China’s space program—Final Orbit accelerates to a thrilling conclusion that captures the beauty and terror of survival 270 miles above Earth, as could only be written by one of the world's most experienced astronauts.

"Another terrific thriller from a writer who is uniquely qualified to write it.” —Booklist

"Action-filled, believable drama that flows. Readers of sci-fi thrillers by Isaac Asimov, Andy Weir, and James Michener will enjoy the realism of Hadfield’s latest.” —Library Journal (starred review)

“Possibly the most realistic depiction of a battle between two spacecraft ever written.…Hadfield expertly weaves fact, fiction, and his own experiences in orbit to produce a novel that is both technical and entertaining. A master of the genre.” —New Scientist

Reseñas de la Crítica

Praise for Chris Hadfield's thrillers:

"Commander Hadfield takes us on an exciting journey into an alternate past. And who better to write about astronauts than an astronaut himself!"—Andy Weir, author of The Martian and Project Hail Mary

"A Cold War thriller packed with cosmic action… Featuring undercover spies, scheming Russians and psychopathic murderers, sometimes all at once, it teems with authoritative details about what it might be like, for instance, to throw up in space or to grapple with a deadly Soviet astronaut who assaults you during a spacewalk."—The New York Times

“A Cold War thriller unlike anything you have ever read! The Defector is a full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner spiked with history and intrigue that will leave you wondering if what you just read could have really happened."—Jack Carr, author of the James Reece Terminal List series

“The Defector is an extraordinary novel that is sure to keep readers enthralled. Brimming with detail and realism and full of pulse-pounding action, it's a well-crafted thriller that I just couldn’t put down!”—Mark Greaney, author of the Gray Man series

Better than a 5!

If I could give it more than 5 starts I would. The story is so very good, twists and surprises that I never came close to guessing. I listened again as soon as I finished, and I have never done that before! And of course Ray Porter is the BEST!

Best of the Series. More, please!

I thoroughly enjoyed The Apollo Murders, and The Defector was also enjoyable. Final Orbit, though, was better than both—by far. I was shocked when I saw I only had 2 hours left in the book the day after I started listening, and I definitely was not ready for it to end. I sincerely hope Colonel Hadfield gives us more of Kaz’s adventures… maybe with the TFNGs? Fingers crossed!

Ray Porter was, of course, amazing as always, but that probably goes without saying. He’s the best in the business.

Great next step to the story.

As was the case with the last two books in this series, I couldn’t stop reading/listening until I got through the end. This is the most fast paced book of the three so far. It picks up more quickly than the last two and doesn’t let up.

Here’s a polished, A masterful fusion of science, suspense, and deeply human storytelling

Final Orbit is everything I love about Chris Hadfield’s writing distilled into one unforgettable listening experience. It delivers the tension of a high-stakes thriller, the wonder of space exploration, and the emotional weight of a story rooted in the real fears, ambitions, and global pressures of its era. Hadfield writes with the authenticity of someone who’s not just studied spaceflight, but lived it—and that expertise shines through on every page.

What sets this audiobook apart is the remarkably grounded science. Hadfield doesn’t treat technical detail as decoration; he uses it to heighten the tension, deepen the realism, and immerse you fully in the astronaut’s perspective. You feel the risks, the claustrophobia, the precision, and the exhilaration in a way that only he can convey.

At the same time, the book has a powerful emotional core—one that connects the characters’ struggles, loyalties, and sacrifices to the tumultuous historical moment they’re living through. The Cold War backdrop isn’t just a setting; it’s a pressure chamber that shapes every decision. Hadfield excels at showing how world events, personal motives, and scientific progress collide in complex, sometimes heartbreaking ways.

The audiobook narration is outstanding. Hadfield’s own voice brings a gravity and sincerity to the story that perfectly complements the themes. There’s an unmistakable authenticity in the way he delivers technical passages, and a quiet emotional depth in the more personal moments. It feels like being guided through the story by someone who intimately understands both the science and the soul of space exploration.

Final Orbit balances intelligence, suspense, and heart in a way few thrillers do. If you love realistic spaceflight, Cold War tension, thoughtful characters, and science used as a meaningful storytelling engine—not just a backdrop—this is an essential listen.

Absolutely loved it. Highly recommended.

The blending of true and historical fiction

Perfect blending of fiction and fact with character tension and drama. As a pilot myself and former military pilot, I appreciate the realistic nomenclature.