Final Orbit

an action-packed space thriller from astronaut and bestselling author Chris Hadfield

By: Chris Hadfield

Narrated by: Ray Porter

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©2025 Chris Hadfield

Critic reviews

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

Hadfield is a terrific storyteller, and his blending of the real and the made-up is seamless. Another terrific thriller from a writer who is uniquely qualified to write it

Hadfield delivers a pulse-pounding adventure about a 1975 U.S.-Soviet space mission that devolves into a battle hundreds of miles above Earth . . . the crackling finale is well worth the wait

Hadfield is as deft at racking up the tension as he is at explaining complex technology simply to non-technical readers

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

[A] wham-bang plot . . . Hadfield has developed a signature style that fluidly blends real historical personages and events with explosive action . . . Hadfield has established himself as a reliable brand in grounded, retro-flavoured SF

No holds are barred in this seat-edge thriller

Engrossing. . . . Deftly chronicles how China's clandestine launch of its first astronaut in east Asia leads to an international espionage incident and an accident that puts the entire joint mission in jeopardy

Equal parts spy novel, sci-fi yarn, historical tale and action hero thriller . . . a superbly detailed account of the real-life mission

PRAISE FOR THE APOLLO MURDERS SERIES: 'A nail-biting Cold War thriller'

An exciting journey to an alternate past

Not to be missed

Explosive

Exciting, authentic

You are in for a ride in overdrive . . . the sheer pace and energy is first-class . . . Jolly good fun

Great Story, Even Better Narration

An excellent story written by someone who knows the subject in great detail. Ray Porter as Narrator is probably one of my favourite Narrators on Audible, he not only has a really pleasing voice and great emphasis where needed, he also does really good pronunciations and different voices.

Series is getting better and better

Third book in the Apollo Murders series and easily one of the best so far. I’ve read the others, and this one really delivers on the suspense, technical detail, and overall pacing. Hadfield clearly knows his stuff, and it shows in how natural the space setting feels — never too sci-fi, always grounded in reality.

The writing style reminds me a lot of Tom Clancy — tight, intelligent, and very plot-driven without dragging you through endless exposition. Characters are solid, the tension builds well, and there’s just the right amount of grit without going over the top.

Honestly, I wish there were five more of these waiting in the wings. I'd binge them all. Fantastic stories.

Solid 5 stars. Keep them coming, Commander. And keep Ray Porter as the narrator. He is brilliant!