Chris Hadfield's new 'high-octane' thriller novel The Defector to be published this fall

Retired astronaut and bestselling author Chris Hadfieldis back with a new book, a"nerve-shredding" and "pulse-pounding" sequel to his debut fiction novel, The Apollo Murders.

Following up on the 1970's space race thriller, The Defector follows NASA flight controller and former U.S. test pilot Kaz Zemeckis as he takes to the sky in aerial combat to hunt down a high-level defector and uncover Soviet secrets.

• Chris Hadfield on his debut fiction novel, The Apollo Murders

In his announcement via Twitter on Wednesday (Feb. 8), Hadfield explained that his "high-octane experiences" as a former U.S. test pilot and combat Cold War fighter pilot for the Royal Canadian Air Force are part of what made him excited to write the Soviet-era thriller.

Born in Sarnia, Ont., Hadfield was a military pilot and astronaut for 35 years. He was the first Canadian to walk in space and served as commander of the International Space Station.

He received the NASA Exceptional Service Medal in 2002 and became a member of the Order of Canada in 2014.

Hadfield is also the author of the memoir An Astronaut's Guide to Life on Earth, the children's book The Darkest Dark, which was illustrated by the Fan Brothers, and the photo book You Are Here: Around the World in 92 Minutes.

The Defector will be published by Random House Canada and isset to be released on Oct. 10,2023.

LISTEN | Chris Hadfield on what inspired his debut novel, The Apollo Murders: