Final Orbit

A Novel

De: Chris Hadfield

Narrado por: Ray Porter

From the author of the international bestseller The Apollo Murders comes an edge-of-the seat Cold War thriller, set against the backdrop of the real 1970s "Space race" between the US, USSR, and China.

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 Guojun, 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....

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.

©2025 Chris Hadfield (P)2025 Mulholland Books

Reseñas de la Crítica

"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

Even Better

I was surprised at how good was the first book, having been written by a fighter pilot. And each subsequent book is even better. I hope that Col. Chris is not done with this. I want to read more by him. I wish that he would read them himself.

Fantastic Astronaut thriller

Breathtaking and relentless, Hadfield again uses his insider knowledge to craft a lean thriller that always feels real yet is never bogged down with the science and tech in of the day. Spiritedly read by the always brilliant Ray Porter. Highly recommend.

When the Cold War Goes Weightless

If you love smart, realistic speculative historical fiction, this one’s for you. Final Orbit feels like Apollo 13 meets The Hunt for Red October—tense, authentic, and steeped in Cold War atmosphere. Astronaut Chris Hadfield brings a rare realism to every scene, making each technical glitch pulse with danger and precision. He extends the grounded intensity of The Apollo Murders and The Defector with the authority of someone who’s truly been there. Ray Porter’s narration keeps you locked in orbit—precise, immersive, and perfectly paced. A gripping mix of science, suspense, and history that leaves you eager for what comes next in this evolving saga.

Hadfield’s best yet

Excellent work of historical fiction, based on real personalities involved in the US and Soviet space programs. There’s a new plot twist in almost every chapter, so the author keeps you listening nonstop. Very good reading. Recommended.

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.