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Final Orbit

an action-packed space thriller from astronaut and bestselling author Chris Hadfield
By Chris Hadfield
Series: The Apollo Murders Series
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Brief Description
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... Read More
Format: Paperback / softback
$2999
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Releases 15th December 2026 (Approx. Date) Pre-order  "Final Orbit" now to secure your copy from our first shipment

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

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

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 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...

Full of intrigue 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 most experienced astronauts alive.

Praise for the Apollo Murders series

'A nail-biting Cold War thriller' James Cameron

'An exciting journey to an alternate past' Andy Weir

'Not to be missed' Frederick Forsyth

'Explosive' Gregg Hurwitz

'Exciting, authentic' Linwood Barclay

Series: The Apollo Murders Series

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  • Final Orbit
    1975. A new Apollo mission launches into orbit, on course to dock with a Russian Soyuz spacecraft: three NASA astronauts and three cosmonauts, joining to celebrate a new dawn of Soviet-American cooperation. But a third power is rising, in the race to dominate Space. As NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis listens in from Earth, three of the six astronauts are...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Apollo Murders
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller An exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race, by astronaut and New York Times bestselling author Chris Hadfield. 'An exciting journey to an alternate past' — Andy Weir, author of The Martian 'Nail-biting' — James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar and Titanic 'Not to be missed' — Frederick Forsyth,...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Defector
    'A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride!' Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series 'Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller?' Steve Berry, New York...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • Final Orbit
    Pre-order
    Final Orbit
    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 changes everything. Meanwhile, from a remote location in east Asia, the first Chinese...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2999
    Pre-order
    Out 15 Dec 2026
  • The Defector
    A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride! Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller? Steve Berry, New York...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • The Apollo Murders
    THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER An exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race, by astronaut and New York Times bestselling author Chris Hadfield 'An exciting journey to an alternate past' – Andy Weir, author of The Martian 'Nail-biting' – James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar and Titanic 'Not to be missed' – Frederick Forsyth,...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    Sold Out

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781529435993

Publisher: Quercus Publishing

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 10 September 2026

Country: United Kingdom

Imprint: Quercus Publishing

Illustration: N/A

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 30.0mm

Width: 128.0mm

Height: 196.0mm

Weight: 300g

Pages: 416

Collections

Chris Hadfield Coming Soon in Fiction Crime & Thriller Fiction General Fiction Historical Fiction Pre-order Books Pre-Order Crime & Thriller Pre-orders Pre-orders by Release Date Sci-Fi & Fantasy Science Fiction Series: The Apollo Murders Series Spy & Espionage Thriller

About the Author

CHRIS HADFIELD is one of the most experienced and accomplished astronauts in the world. He was the top test pilot in both the US Air Force and the US Navy, and a Cold War fighter pilot intercepting armed Soviet bombers in Canadian airspace. A veteran of three space

flights, he served as capsule communicator - CAPCOM - for 25 Shuttle missions, as NASA's Director of Operations in Russia and as commander of the International Space Station. Hadfield's books An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, You Are Here and The Darkest Dark have all been international bestsellers, and topped the charts for months in Canada. His two previous novels, The Apollo Murders and The Defector, were both instant number one bestsellers.

Also by Chris Hadfield

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  • An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth
    After returning to Earth following three remarkable spaceflights, Colonel Chris Hadfield shares his captivating memoir An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth. With almost 4,000 hours spent in space, Hadfield reveals not only extraordinary stories from his life as an astronaut but also invaluable lessons on making the impossible a reality, all with a fresh afterword exclusive to this edition....
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2299
    Elsewhere:
    $2499
    Backorder
    Ships mid October
  • Final Orbit
    1975. A new Apollo mission launches into orbit, on course to dock with a Russian Soyuz spacecraft: three NASA astronauts and three cosmonauts, joining to celebrate a new dawn of Soviet-American cooperation. But a third power is rising, in the race to dominate Space. As NASA Flight Controller Kaz Zemeckis listens in from Earth, three of the six astronauts are...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $3200
    Elsewhere:
    $3799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Apollo Murders
    The Instant Sunday Times Bestseller An exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race, by astronaut and New York Times bestselling author Chris Hadfield. 'An exciting journey to an alternate past' — Andy Weir, author of The Martian 'Nail-biting' — James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar and Titanic 'Not to be missed' — Frederick Forsyth,...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2799
    In Stock
    Ships today
  • The Defector
    'A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride!' Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series 'Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller?' Steve Berry, New York...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    $2799
    Available
    Ships in 4-6 weeks
  • The Darkest Dark
    This updated picture book of The Darkest Dark by astronaut Chris Hadfield, celebrates the 50th anniversary of the first moon landing. "While I was growing up, the Moon helped light the path to my dreams. But it was on a hot July night that my dreamy thoughts became real. The brave astronauts of Apollo 11 travelled to that distant place...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • The Defector
    A full throttle, adrenaline-laced espionage page-turner . . . Get ready to blast off and enjoy the ride! Jack Carr, former Navy SEAL Sniper and #1 New York Times bestselling author of the James Reece Terminal List series Continuous action, Mach-speed mayhem, sharp intrigue, and well-rounded characters - what more could you want from a thriller? Steve Berry, New York...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    Sold Out
  • The Apollo Murders
    THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER An exceptional Cold War thriller from the dark heart of the Space Race, by astronaut and New York Times bestselling author Chris Hadfield 'An exciting journey to an alternate past' – Andy Weir, author of The Martian 'Nail-biting' – James Cameron, writer and director of Avatar and Titanic 'Not to be missed' – Frederick Forsyth,...
    By Chris Hadfield
    Paperback
    Sold Out

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