It's also possible you're thinking of Gordon Cooper, a famous American astronaut who flew on the Mercury 9 mission. He did not publish any books under his own name, but he did contribute to a few publications about space exploration.
Could you clarify your question? Perhaps you can provide:
* Full name: Is there a middle name or any other distinguishing features?
* Genre: What kind of books do you think this author might write?
* Any other clues: Do you remember anything else about the author or their work?
With more information, I might be able to help you find the author you're looking for.