1 00:00:02,636 --> 00:00:05,270 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:08,308 --> 00:00:12,478 Narrator: If you think getting to space is hard, 3 00:00:15,982 --> 00:00:17,649 Just try getting back home. 4 00:00:19,754 --> 00:00:22,821 Weitekamp: Re-entry is always risky. 5 00:00:22,889 --> 00:00:24,323 Narrator: Unforgiving heat, 6 00:00:26,027 --> 00:00:27,192 Unthinkable speed, 7 00:00:28,895 --> 00:00:32,998 And landings on the edge of your seat. 8 00:00:33,000 --> 00:00:35,067 Massimino: And you only have one chance at it. 9 00:00:36,603 --> 00:00:37,769 Narrator: Join us 10 00:00:37,772 --> 00:00:41,473 On a jaw dropping journey back to earth, 11 00:00:44,478 --> 00:00:47,546 As we reveal terrifying close calls. 12 00:00:47,548 --> 00:00:49,948 Barry: There is no margin for error. 13 00:00:50,016 --> 00:00:51,784 Narrator: And devastating failures 14 00:00:52,986 --> 00:00:54,787 Just moments from home. 15 00:00:56,890 --> 00:01:00,926 Kluger: Space doesn't let you down safely. 16 00:01:06,133 --> 00:01:08,801 (dramatic music) 17 00:01:23,984 --> 00:01:26,585 Narrator: April 14, 1981. 18 00:01:30,190 --> 00:01:31,990 Veteran astronauts john young 19 00:01:33,360 --> 00:01:34,693 And pilot robert crippen 20 00:01:36,931 --> 00:01:40,132 Soak in the view from nasa's brand new spacecraft, 21 00:01:42,536 --> 00:01:44,503 The space shuttle columbia. 22 00:01:46,806 --> 00:01:48,473 Young: Boy, the view hasn't changed any. 23 00:01:48,542 --> 00:01:51,510 It's really something else. 24 00:01:51,512 --> 00:01:54,946 Crippen: I tell you, ain't no way you can describe it. 25 00:01:54,949 --> 00:01:56,148 It's hard to get my head 26 00:01:56,216 --> 00:01:57,816 In the cockpit here and do my procedures. 27 00:01:57,884 --> 00:01:59,084 Capcom: I can imagine. 28 00:02:02,489 --> 00:02:03,588 Narrator: Crippen and young are 29 00:02:03,657 --> 00:02:05,424 On the shuttle's maiden voyage. 30 00:02:09,229 --> 00:02:11,163 The massive wing-shaped vehicle 31 00:02:11,231 --> 00:02:13,532 Is unlike anything they've ever flown. 32 00:02:15,001 --> 00:02:16,968 Barry: The space shuttle was an airplane 33 00:02:16,971 --> 00:02:19,104 That flies into space and comes back again. 34 00:02:20,273 --> 00:02:21,874 It can carry a huge cargo payload 35 00:02:23,177 --> 00:02:26,678 And a crew of seven or more if you squeezed them in there. 36 00:02:28,081 --> 00:02:30,248 Narrator: For two days, the astronauts have 37 00:02:30,317 --> 00:02:32,651 Carefully evaluated the shuttle's systems. 38 00:02:35,021 --> 00:02:38,223 Now, they prepare for its biggest test yet, 39 00:02:39,326 --> 00:02:41,827 Re-entry into the earth's atmosphere. 40 00:02:44,131 --> 00:02:47,766 Rocha: Entry from a space shuttle or any vehicle 41 00:02:47,834 --> 00:02:50,335 Coming back from space at very, very high speeds 42 00:02:51,571 --> 00:02:53,672 Is very challenging. 43 00:02:57,177 --> 00:03:00,379 The heating becomes intense very, very quickly. 44 00:03:03,083 --> 00:03:04,716 Narrator: Columbia relies on what nasa 45 00:03:04,784 --> 00:03:06,752 Calls a thermal protection system. 46 00:03:10,157 --> 00:03:13,425 More than 20,000 ceramic tiles protect 47 00:03:13,427 --> 00:03:16,395 It from 3,000 degrees of searing heat. 48 00:03:19,199 --> 00:03:20,899 Barry: To get home safely, 49 00:03:20,967 --> 00:03:22,601 The thermal protection system is absolutely critical. 50 00:03:22,669 --> 00:03:25,470 It has to work and it has to be there and effective. 51 00:03:29,843 --> 00:03:31,576 Narrator: At edwards air force base, 52 00:03:31,645 --> 00:03:35,113 Over 300,000 people await the shuttle's landing. 53 00:03:39,519 --> 00:03:43,188 Halfway around the world, columbia begins re-entry. 54 00:03:46,026 --> 00:03:48,260 Mocr: 10 seconds to los. We'll see you about mach 12. 55 00:03:51,065 --> 00:03:54,132 Young: I'm looking forward to that. 56 00:03:55,468 --> 00:03:56,935 Narrator: Mission control anxiously 57 00:03:57,004 --> 00:03:59,104 Tracks the spacecraft's progress. 58 00:04:01,208 --> 00:04:02,207 Capcom: Columbia, this is houston. 59 00:04:02,275 --> 00:04:03,108 We're standing by. 60 00:04:10,951 --> 00:04:12,417 Hello, columbia, houston's here. 61 00:04:12,485 --> 00:04:13,252 How do you read? 62 00:04:18,558 --> 00:04:19,891 Young: Hello there houston. 63 00:04:19,960 --> 00:04:24,162 Loud and clear and we're doing mach 10.3 at 180 as. 64 00:04:28,902 --> 00:04:30,068 Narrator: At 10:20 in the morning, 65 00:04:30,137 --> 00:04:32,638 Space shuttle columbia lands safely. 66 00:04:41,782 --> 00:04:43,115 Young: This is the world's greatest flying machine. 67 00:04:43,183 --> 00:04:44,149 I'll tell you that! 68 00:04:44,217 --> 00:04:45,417 That was super! 69 00:04:50,090 --> 00:04:51,456 Narrator: But a post-flight inspection 70 00:04:51,524 --> 00:04:55,093 Minutes later reveals an ugly surprise. 71 00:04:56,797 --> 00:04:58,263 Barry: Low-and-behold, despite all the efforts 72 00:04:58,331 --> 00:05:00,465 That they made before the launch, 73 00:05:00,534 --> 00:05:03,568 There were quite a number of tiles that were not in place. 74 00:05:05,538 --> 00:05:07,405 So, more effort was spent before 75 00:05:07,408 --> 00:05:09,508 The next mission launched in finding out 76 00:05:09,576 --> 00:05:11,677 Why did they come off because it was so critical 77 00:05:11,745 --> 00:05:14,346 To the mission and survival of the crews. 78 00:05:16,483 --> 00:05:18,750 Narrator: Engineers trace the tile loss 79 00:05:18,752 --> 00:05:21,253 To a massive sound wave on liftoff. 80 00:05:23,424 --> 00:05:26,624 Capcom: Seven, six, five, four. 81 00:05:26,627 --> 00:05:28,760 We've gone for main engine start, 82 00:05:28,762 --> 00:05:30,028 We have main engines start. 83 00:05:30,030 --> 00:05:31,663 Narrator: Nasa beefs up its sound 84 00:05:31,731 --> 00:05:33,532 Suppression on future launches. 85 00:05:37,571 --> 00:05:39,705 But another problem arises, flying debris. 86 00:05:47,046 --> 00:05:48,213 Rocha: The engines start up 87 00:05:51,451 --> 00:05:54,853 And it's churning up a tornado of debris at the launchpad. 88 00:06:04,931 --> 00:06:07,432 It would pepper the underside of the shuttle. 89 00:06:07,500 --> 00:06:09,768 We would routinely see little pockmarks. 90 00:06:14,674 --> 00:06:16,875 Narrator: Over the next seven years, 91 00:06:16,943 --> 00:06:18,944 The new shuttles return with tears 92 00:06:19,012 --> 00:06:21,313 In their all-important thermal shields. 93 00:06:23,216 --> 00:06:24,282 Nasa pao: 75,000 feet. 94 00:06:24,351 --> 00:06:26,451 46 nautical miles to touchdown. 95 00:06:27,720 --> 00:06:29,354 Barry: Every mission there was always a tile 96 00:06:29,356 --> 00:06:32,290 That would get damaged, or might fall off. 97 00:06:33,793 --> 00:06:35,093 Capcom: And gear touchdown. 98 00:06:36,830 --> 00:06:39,197 Barry: And so I think they get used to seeing 99 00:06:39,265 --> 00:06:40,498 A certain level of damage. 100 00:06:40,567 --> 00:06:43,468 And, at some point, that became the normal thing, 101 00:06:43,536 --> 00:06:46,471 Even though it was probably more than you would like to see. 102 00:06:47,774 --> 00:06:49,307 Narrator: Nasa regards the damage 103 00:06:49,375 --> 00:06:50,776 As a matter of maintenance. 104 00:06:52,712 --> 00:06:56,548 It's a risky practice that has dire consequences 105 00:06:56,616 --> 00:06:58,150 For re-entries to come. 106 00:07:03,257 --> 00:07:05,123 December 1988. 107 00:07:07,427 --> 00:07:09,261 The space shuttle atlantis orbits 108 00:07:09,329 --> 00:07:11,363 With five veteran astronauts. 109 00:07:13,801 --> 00:07:17,268 They're on a top secret department of defense mission, 110 00:07:17,271 --> 00:07:20,172 To deploy a covert military satellite. 111 00:07:21,208 --> 00:07:25,243 Rocha: Mission 27 of the atlantis space shuttle orbiter 112 00:07:25,311 --> 00:07:26,611 Was a classified mission. 113 00:07:28,648 --> 00:07:32,350 Only very restricted numbers of people 114 00:07:32,419 --> 00:07:34,586 Were allowed to even know what was going on. 115 00:07:36,990 --> 00:07:38,290 Capcom: Atlantis, houston. 116 00:07:39,693 --> 00:07:41,960 Narrator: The day after the launch, 117 00:07:41,962 --> 00:07:45,564 The crew wakes to an urgent alarm from mission control. 118 00:07:48,368 --> 00:07:49,934 At johnson space center, 119 00:07:50,003 --> 00:07:52,704 Ground controllers review the launch camera. 120 00:07:53,607 --> 00:07:55,574 They spot something disturbing. 121 00:07:58,945 --> 00:08:03,114 85 seconds into liftoff, a large piece of debris appears 122 00:08:03,182 --> 00:08:05,250 To strike the orbiter's right wing. 123 00:08:06,520 --> 00:08:09,354 Rocha: They advised the crew, you'd better take a look. 124 00:08:17,264 --> 00:08:18,463 Narrator: The crew uses the shuttle's 125 00:08:18,531 --> 00:08:20,732 Robotic arm to inspect its thermal shield. 126 00:08:29,976 --> 00:08:32,477 It reveals a bone chilling scene. 127 00:08:38,585 --> 00:08:42,387 There's damage to hundreds of atlantis' delicate tiles. 128 00:08:45,825 --> 00:08:48,727 Rocha: What the crew saw was patches of white. 129 00:08:52,299 --> 00:08:54,098 You're not supposed to see that. 130 00:08:54,167 --> 00:08:55,634 If you see white, 131 00:08:55,702 --> 00:09:00,272 That means it's no longer efficient in absorbing heat. 132 00:09:03,943 --> 00:09:05,243 Narrator: No one has ever seen 133 00:09:05,245 --> 00:09:07,245 This many cracked tiles before. 134 00:09:09,650 --> 00:09:11,883 It doesn't bode well for a safe return. 135 00:09:16,322 --> 00:09:19,190 Barry: If it's substantially damaged in the wrong spots, 136 00:09:19,258 --> 00:09:21,993 There's potentially no way for you to get back to earth. 137 00:09:26,800 --> 00:09:29,534 Any chink in the armor is potentially fatal. 138 00:09:30,537 --> 00:09:31,703 Narrator: Ground controllers ask 139 00:09:31,771 --> 00:09:33,338 To see footage of the damage. 140 00:09:36,676 --> 00:09:38,476 But the mission is top secret. 141 00:09:39,947 --> 00:09:43,782 An encrypted, low resolution video is all that's permitted. 142 00:09:48,755 --> 00:09:50,755 Rocha: Their imagery was not very good. 143 00:09:52,425 --> 00:09:54,292 It was from the robotic arm with 144 00:09:54,360 --> 00:09:57,295 A camera that looked at it askance, 145 00:09:57,363 --> 00:10:00,064 The lighting isn't good, it's at a shallow angle. 146 00:10:00,133 --> 00:10:00,898 It's not great. 147 00:10:00,901 --> 00:10:02,233 By the time you encrypt it 148 00:10:02,235 --> 00:10:04,803 And send it to the ground, it's degraded. 149 00:10:10,911 --> 00:10:13,144 Narrator: Engineers re-examine the images 150 00:10:14,781 --> 00:10:17,148 And declare that the shuttle is safe to land. 151 00:10:20,186 --> 00:10:25,023 Astronauts have no choice but to pray that they're right. 152 00:10:31,931 --> 00:10:34,833 December 6th, 1988. 153 00:10:35,802 --> 00:10:38,269 The astronauts of space shuttle atlantis 154 00:10:38,338 --> 00:10:40,405 Prepare for re -entry back to earth 155 00:10:41,475 --> 00:10:43,041 Knowing that the heat shield meant 156 00:10:43,109 --> 00:10:46,011 To protect them is seriously damaged. 157 00:10:48,281 --> 00:10:50,015 Barry: If the heat shield burns through, 158 00:10:50,083 --> 00:10:51,616 Suddenly you've got 1000 degree temperature 159 00:10:51,685 --> 00:10:53,084 Flowing into the capsule 160 00:10:53,086 --> 00:10:55,253 And it's gonna kill anything that's in there. 161 00:10:56,957 --> 00:10:58,523 Narrator: Astronauts brace themselves 162 00:10:58,591 --> 00:11:00,125 For a dangerous re-entry. 163 00:11:01,161 --> 00:11:02,760 Astronaut: Hey flight control, power off. 164 00:11:02,829 --> 00:11:04,763 Step 10 and 11 are done. 165 00:11:07,867 --> 00:11:11,202 Narrator: They see flaming hot gas outside the window 166 00:11:11,270 --> 00:11:13,471 And hope the shuttle stays intact. 167 00:11:19,946 --> 00:11:22,180 At edwards air force base, 168 00:11:22,182 --> 00:11:24,883 Emergency vehicles stand on high alert. 169 00:11:34,794 --> 00:11:39,631 At 3:30 pm, flight controllers behold a reassuring sight. 170 00:11:41,935 --> 00:11:44,035 Atlantis plunges through the sky 171 00:11:47,273 --> 00:11:50,875 And skids to a safe landing on the california runway. 172 00:11:58,218 --> 00:12:00,785 Minutes later the ground crew discovers 173 00:12:00,853 --> 00:12:04,389 The most extensive tile damage nasa has ever seen, 174 00:12:07,894 --> 00:12:14,399 707 cracked tiles and one missing completely. 175 00:12:16,402 --> 00:12:19,637 The astronauts have narrowly cheated death. 176 00:12:20,707 --> 00:12:22,840 Rocha: We were lucky that the missing tile 177 00:12:22,909 --> 00:12:25,076 Was over a thicker part of the skin. 178 00:12:26,079 --> 00:12:29,914 Because right underneath was some kind of an antenna 179 00:12:29,982 --> 00:12:32,984 Or some kind of component that was mounted there 180 00:12:34,654 --> 00:12:37,922 And that's what saved it because it tolerated more heat. 181 00:12:46,933 --> 00:12:50,368 Narrator: Returning a spacecraft safely back to earth 182 00:12:50,436 --> 00:12:53,104 Is a challenge that started long before the shuttle. 183 00:12:54,274 --> 00:12:56,674 It's troubled engineers for decades. 184 00:12:58,945 --> 00:13:01,412 Their designs must overcome the heat 185 00:13:01,480 --> 00:13:04,315 Generated by the returning spacecraft's speed. 186 00:13:09,488 --> 00:13:13,057 Weitekamp: Orbital velocity is 17,500 miles an hour. 187 00:13:14,126 --> 00:13:17,428 You need to go from that speed to essentially zero, 188 00:13:17,496 --> 00:13:19,197 Coming through the atmosphere with 189 00:13:19,265 --> 00:13:21,232 A tremendous amount of friction between 190 00:13:21,234 --> 00:13:24,602 The actual molecules of the air and the spacecraft itself. 191 00:13:26,506 --> 00:13:28,840 Massimino: The atmosphere is like a fluid 192 00:13:28,842 --> 00:13:31,909 And it slows the spacecraft down. 193 00:13:31,978 --> 00:13:34,312 That generates a lot of heat. 194 00:13:34,380 --> 00:13:36,314 Thousands of degrees. 195 00:13:36,316 --> 00:13:37,382 When you're dealing with stuff 196 00:13:37,450 --> 00:13:40,852 That's that hot, that's dangerous. 197 00:13:43,657 --> 00:13:45,723 Narrator: In the early 1960s, 198 00:13:45,791 --> 00:13:48,993 Nasa borrows from designs developed by the military 199 00:13:49,996 --> 00:13:53,331 And settles on what they believe is the perfect shape. 200 00:13:54,400 --> 00:13:56,401 Massimino: The typical design is kind 201 00:13:56,469 --> 00:13:58,102 Of shaped like a hershey's kiss. 202 00:13:59,072 --> 00:14:01,172 You want the fat part of it taking the heat 203 00:14:02,375 --> 00:14:04,742 And protecting the crew inside. 204 00:14:05,745 --> 00:14:08,546 Narrator: Shape alone won't protect its precious cargo. 205 00:14:10,216 --> 00:14:12,317 The capsule needs an extra safeguard. 206 00:14:16,222 --> 00:14:19,290 Engineers coat the bottom with a specialized resin 207 00:14:19,359 --> 00:14:22,193 That draws the heat away from the capsule. 208 00:14:24,230 --> 00:14:25,696 Weitekamp: What you had was something that would 209 00:14:25,765 --> 00:14:28,666 Burn away and begin to dissipate. 210 00:14:28,668 --> 00:14:30,568 The physical parts of it would start 211 00:14:30,570 --> 00:14:33,004 To come off the bottom of the spacecraft. 212 00:14:33,072 --> 00:14:35,106 And in doing so, it would carry the heat 213 00:14:35,174 --> 00:14:37,876 That had been absorbed away from the craft. 214 00:14:41,047 --> 00:14:42,246 Narrator: For years, 215 00:14:42,249 --> 00:14:45,216 The blunt-bottom capsule provides safe re-entry. 216 00:14:46,920 --> 00:14:51,089 Until a new design pushes the limits even further. 217 00:14:55,395 --> 00:14:57,462 April 1967. 218 00:14:58,965 --> 00:15:01,199 The soviet union and the united states 219 00:15:01,267 --> 00:15:03,468 Are locked in a tense race to the moon. 220 00:15:05,205 --> 00:15:06,771 Teitel: In the first half of the 1960s, 221 00:15:06,773 --> 00:15:09,774 The soviet union hit all the significant firsts in space, 222 00:15:11,344 --> 00:15:12,310 First satellite, 223 00:15:15,949 --> 00:15:18,283 First human, 224 00:15:20,019 --> 00:15:21,019 First spacewalk. 225 00:15:23,222 --> 00:15:27,191 But after 1965, things switched into nasa's favor. 226 00:15:31,097 --> 00:15:32,396 Narrator: The americans take the prize 227 00:15:32,465 --> 00:15:34,732 For the first docking of two spaceships 228 00:15:37,971 --> 00:15:40,171 And the longest mission to date. 229 00:15:42,809 --> 00:15:44,575 They're feats the soviet government 230 00:15:44,577 --> 00:15:46,277 Hopes to quickly outshine. 231 00:15:48,281 --> 00:15:53,284 They build a new three man spacecraft, called soyuz. 232 00:15:53,586 --> 00:15:54,986 Teitel: Soyuz was the first vehicle that 233 00:15:54,988 --> 00:15:56,887 Allowed the soviet cosmonauts to actually 234 00:15:56,956 --> 00:15:58,523 Have some control in space. 235 00:16:00,060 --> 00:16:01,459 It was designed to actually start 236 00:16:01,527 --> 00:16:03,394 Maneuvering to change its orbit. 237 00:16:05,498 --> 00:16:07,999 Narrator: The spacecraft is ambitious and complex 238 00:16:09,301 --> 00:16:10,268 But rushed. 239 00:16:12,638 --> 00:16:15,573 Technicians report dozens of problems 240 00:16:15,641 --> 00:16:17,608 And suggest delaying the launch. 241 00:16:19,212 --> 00:16:21,279 Leadership doesn't agree. 242 00:16:22,615 --> 00:16:25,516 Barry: Being a leader in space was so closely tied 243 00:16:25,584 --> 00:16:27,251 To the political legitimacy 244 00:16:27,319 --> 00:16:29,687 Of the communist party of the soviet union 245 00:16:29,689 --> 00:16:31,255 That they had to have something to fly 246 00:16:31,323 --> 00:16:33,291 That can beat the americans at something. 247 00:16:36,763 --> 00:16:38,162 Narrator: April 22, 1967. 248 00:16:40,232 --> 00:16:40,999 Moscow. 249 00:16:42,468 --> 00:16:44,435 Rumors spread that the soviets will soon 250 00:16:44,503 --> 00:16:47,438 Send soyuz on its maiden launch. 251 00:16:47,506 --> 00:16:48,806 The first crewed mission 252 00:16:48,808 --> 00:16:51,976 Of a soviet spacecraft in nearly two years. 253 00:16:54,647 --> 00:16:57,849 Soviet officials desperately hope this will be the mission 254 00:16:57,917 --> 00:17:01,252 That finally reclaims their supremacy in space. 255 00:17:04,390 --> 00:17:06,524 They've got just the man for the job. 256 00:17:09,595 --> 00:17:13,798 They choose 40 year-old vladimir komarov to command soyuz 1. 257 00:17:16,702 --> 00:17:19,637 He's a former fighter pilot and flight test engineer. 258 00:17:20,606 --> 00:17:22,240 Barry: Komarov gets brought in as someone 259 00:17:22,308 --> 00:17:24,509 With a bit more experience in the flying game 260 00:17:25,545 --> 00:17:28,279 Who knew the challenges of flying a more complex vehicle. 261 00:17:29,816 --> 00:17:32,116 Teitel: There was a lot of pressure on him personally 262 00:17:32,118 --> 00:17:33,851 To make the mission a success. 263 00:17:38,357 --> 00:17:41,692 Narrator: April 23, 1967. 264 00:17:41,760 --> 00:17:45,229 Baikonur cosmodrome launch complex, kazakhstan. 265 00:17:48,201 --> 00:17:49,867 Soyuz 1 blasts off. 266 00:17:51,905 --> 00:17:55,373 Its goal, to rendezvous with a second spacecraft 267 00:17:55,441 --> 00:17:57,308 To be launched the next day. 268 00:18:08,220 --> 00:18:12,323 Narrator: But before he even completes an orbit, 269 00:18:12,391 --> 00:18:13,891 Komarov's mood grows grim. 270 00:18:14,894 --> 00:18:16,193 Teitel: One of the two solar panels 271 00:18:16,196 --> 00:18:18,662 On soyuz 1 failed to deploy 272 00:18:18,731 --> 00:18:20,865 And that left a lack of electrical energy 273 00:18:20,867 --> 00:18:22,100 In the spacecraft. 274 00:18:24,370 --> 00:18:27,071 Komarov was having problems with all sorts of things 275 00:18:28,274 --> 00:18:30,575 Including even maneuvering the spacecraft. 276 00:18:33,979 --> 00:18:35,212 Narrator: Mission control watches 277 00:18:35,281 --> 00:18:37,782 As komarov struggles to stabilize the soyuz. 278 00:18:45,558 --> 00:18:46,724 Narrator: Sensors reveal that 279 00:18:46,792 --> 00:18:48,392 He's draining too much fuel. 280 00:18:50,362 --> 00:18:52,630 The soviets realize quickly that their much 281 00:18:52,698 --> 00:18:55,933 Longed-for triumph has little chance of success. 282 00:18:56,902 --> 00:18:58,502 Barry: It goes very quickly from, 283 00:18:58,571 --> 00:19:00,838 Can we fly this mission and carry it out? 284 00:19:00,906 --> 00:19:02,339 To, holy mackerel, how are we gonna 285 00:19:02,408 --> 00:19:03,841 Get komarov home safely because they 286 00:19:03,843 --> 00:19:05,810 Realized the vehicle was in big trouble. 287 00:19:07,346 --> 00:19:08,979 Narrator: Mission control has no choice 288 00:19:08,982 --> 00:19:10,882 But to abort the rendezvous mission. 289 00:19:12,651 --> 00:19:15,253 Now, komarov has just one goal. 290 00:19:19,993 --> 00:19:22,960 Narrator: To make it home alive. 291 00:19:27,066 --> 00:19:29,233 Moscow, 1967. 292 00:19:30,569 --> 00:19:34,639 Soviet engineers anxiously monitor the return of soyuz 1, 293 00:19:35,708 --> 00:19:37,241 The aborted mission meant 294 00:19:37,309 --> 00:19:39,911 To challenge america's dominance in space. 295 00:19:41,414 --> 00:19:43,814 The capsule hurtles toward the russian steppe. 296 00:19:45,618 --> 00:19:47,718 Engineers are confident that cosmonaut 297 00:19:47,786 --> 00:19:51,589 Vladimir komarov will soon make a heroic landing. 298 00:19:53,759 --> 00:19:57,662 But inside the capsule, things aren't going well. 299 00:20:02,035 --> 00:20:03,767 Teitel: As soon as he deployed his parachutes, 300 00:20:03,770 --> 00:20:05,570 Things got really bad. 301 00:20:08,307 --> 00:20:09,974 He released the reserve parachute, 302 00:20:11,143 --> 00:20:12,977 But that got tangled with the drogue parachute 303 00:20:12,979 --> 00:20:15,213 Such that neither were able to slow him down. 304 00:20:20,719 --> 00:20:23,988 He smashed into the earth at full speed. 305 00:20:25,591 --> 00:20:27,358 Narrator: A day after his launch, 306 00:20:28,761 --> 00:20:32,663 Komarov becomes the first fatality during a spaceflight. 307 00:20:37,870 --> 00:20:40,304 Barry: It was a huge, huge blow. 308 00:20:40,372 --> 00:20:43,007 It was a public relations disaster 309 00:20:43,075 --> 00:20:45,643 For the soviet union and the soviet leadership 310 00:20:46,979 --> 00:20:49,780 And it set back their program for several years. 311 00:20:55,187 --> 00:20:58,489 Narrator: By 1968, it's clear the soviets 312 00:20:58,491 --> 00:21:01,092 Are far behind their american competitors. 313 00:21:05,331 --> 00:21:07,531 On July 20, 1969. 314 00:21:08,634 --> 00:21:10,901 Armstrong: That's one small step for man. 315 00:21:10,970 --> 00:21:14,438 Narrator: Nasa wins the ultimate prize, the moon. 316 00:21:15,441 --> 00:21:17,975 Armstrong: One giant leap for mankind. 317 00:21:21,514 --> 00:21:24,181 Narrator: Soviet leadership quickly switches gears. 318 00:21:26,685 --> 00:21:30,354 Their new plan, to build the world's first space station. 319 00:21:33,092 --> 00:21:35,993 Kluger: They said all right, we didn't do the flashy thing, 320 00:21:36,062 --> 00:21:40,698 But we're gonna be better than anyone else on earth 321 00:21:40,766 --> 00:21:44,568 At learning how to live in space, not just visit, live. 322 00:21:46,939 --> 00:21:48,272 Narrator: In 1970, 323 00:21:48,341 --> 00:21:50,875 The soviets begin building the station. 324 00:21:52,044 --> 00:21:53,444 The modestly-sized marvel 325 00:21:53,512 --> 00:21:57,014 Is just 13 feet wide and 66 feet long. 326 00:21:59,518 --> 00:22:04,255 They name it salyut, meaning salute or fireworks. 327 00:22:12,030 --> 00:22:15,800 In April 1971, they launch it into space. 328 00:22:17,103 --> 00:22:18,969 Kluger: I do think national pride was on the line. 329 00:22:18,971 --> 00:22:20,704 And I do think there was no way around 330 00:22:20,707 --> 00:22:24,308 The fact that they were stung by having lost the space race, 331 00:22:24,377 --> 00:22:27,011 Especially since they had such an early lead. 332 00:22:29,315 --> 00:22:32,249 Narrator: With the space station successfully deployed, 333 00:22:32,317 --> 00:22:33,951 It's time to put it to use. 334 00:22:38,758 --> 00:22:43,394 Cosmonauts georgy dobrovolsky, viktor patsayev, 335 00:22:43,462 --> 00:22:47,865 And vladislav volkov prepare to access the station. 336 00:22:50,470 --> 00:22:52,870 They'll get there on the soyuz 11 spaceship 337 00:22:54,473 --> 00:22:57,041 And live on salyut for 30 days, 338 00:22:58,211 --> 00:23:01,645 The longest time anyone's ever lived in space. 339 00:23:09,321 --> 00:23:11,355 June 6th, 1971. 340 00:23:12,524 --> 00:23:15,526 Soyuz 11 blasts off from the baikonur cosmodrome. 341 00:23:20,499 --> 00:23:23,968 In just under four hours, it's docked with salyut 1. 342 00:23:28,507 --> 00:23:30,508 The mission is off to a perfect start. 343 00:23:31,711 --> 00:23:33,510 Kluger: They had three, smart, good, 344 00:23:33,579 --> 00:23:36,480 Talented cosmonauts aboard salyut 1. 345 00:23:36,548 --> 00:23:38,449 They said get it, we built it, 346 00:23:38,517 --> 00:23:40,617 We sent our crew up, 347 00:23:40,686 --> 00:23:45,623 And we are going to start our new chapter in space. 348 00:23:50,529 --> 00:23:54,264 Narrator: After 23 days of living in a floating box, 349 00:23:54,333 --> 00:23:57,802 Tensions among the soyuz trio start to rise. 350 00:23:59,004 --> 00:24:01,438 Teitel: They were fighting and disagreeing with each other 351 00:24:01,507 --> 00:24:04,208 And they were also starting to make some sloppy decisions 352 00:24:04,276 --> 00:24:06,377 That were worrying engineers on the ground. 353 00:24:07,746 --> 00:24:10,247 Teitel: The flight controllers said we have proven 354 00:24:10,315 --> 00:24:14,117 The principle of living long term in low earth orbit. 355 00:24:14,186 --> 00:24:16,287 Let's declare a victory and come home. 356 00:24:21,026 --> 00:24:24,895 Narrator: June 30th, 1971. 357 00:24:24,963 --> 00:24:26,830 In moscow, the soviets prepare 358 00:24:26,899 --> 00:24:29,200 To celebrate their conquering heroes. 359 00:24:32,705 --> 00:24:35,473 1,500 miles away in the kazakh steppe, 360 00:24:36,608 --> 00:24:39,844 Soyuz 11's landing appears to go as planned. 361 00:24:46,619 --> 00:24:51,555 But inside the capsule is a horrifying scene. 362 00:24:53,659 --> 00:24:57,194 Kluger: When the recovery crew came out, 363 00:24:57,262 --> 00:24:58,829 They opened the spacecraft. 364 00:25:02,635 --> 00:25:03,667 Everyone was dead. 365 00:25:13,145 --> 00:25:14,478 Narrator: It's the second soviet 366 00:25:14,480 --> 00:25:16,847 Space tragedy in just four years. 367 00:25:23,255 --> 00:25:24,788 The public is devastated. 368 00:25:27,292 --> 00:25:30,094 Officials are cagey about admitting the cause of death 369 00:25:33,533 --> 00:25:35,966 But slowly the truth comes out. 370 00:25:40,105 --> 00:25:44,041 A ventilation valve opened prematurely 80 miles above earth 371 00:25:45,177 --> 00:25:47,578 Causing the soyuz to depressurize. 372 00:25:48,514 --> 00:25:51,015 The crew suffocated within seconds. 373 00:25:54,654 --> 00:25:57,087 Teitel: This re-entry failure remains completely unique 374 00:25:59,591 --> 00:26:02,459 Because it's the only time people have died in space. 375 00:26:04,196 --> 00:26:06,597 Narrator: Soyuz 11's disastrous re-entry 376 00:26:06,665 --> 00:26:08,832 Overshadows the salyut's success. 377 00:26:12,971 --> 00:26:16,840 In america, nasa faces its own re-entry disaster. 378 00:26:19,645 --> 00:26:22,479 This time, with citizens on the ground. 379 00:26:25,283 --> 00:26:27,718 Nasa pao: Three, two, one, zero. 380 00:26:28,720 --> 00:26:31,555 Narrator: May, 1973. 381 00:26:31,623 --> 00:26:34,658 Nasa launches the 77-ton skylab, 382 00:26:35,628 --> 00:26:37,928 Its answer to salyut 1. 383 00:26:38,898 --> 00:26:41,098 Nasa pao: The skylab lifting off the pad now. 384 00:26:41,166 --> 00:26:42,799 Narrator: Skylab is the largest 385 00:26:42,868 --> 00:26:45,369 Spacecraft ever launched into space. 386 00:26:47,239 --> 00:26:50,274 Nasa plans to keep it in orbit for years to come. 387 00:26:51,677 --> 00:26:54,011 For now, there are just enough resources 388 00:26:54,079 --> 00:26:55,713 For three manned missions. 389 00:26:57,549 --> 00:27:00,050 Weitekamp: Skylab was sent up with the idea 390 00:27:00,052 --> 00:27:03,353 Of having crews that would spend increasingly 391 00:27:03,422 --> 00:27:07,991 Long durations of time there doing scientific research, 392 00:27:07,994 --> 00:27:09,593 Doing earth observation. 393 00:27:13,665 --> 00:27:15,899 Narrator: Eight months after it launches, 394 00:27:15,967 --> 00:27:19,269 Skylab's final crew wraps up its mission 395 00:27:19,338 --> 00:27:21,105 And shuts down the station. 396 00:27:22,141 --> 00:27:23,774 Sot: It's been a real useful machine, 397 00:27:23,842 --> 00:27:25,976 Hate to think we're the last guys to use it. 398 00:27:26,912 --> 00:27:28,812 Sot: Yeah, yes. 399 00:27:28,880 --> 00:27:31,348 Well, it certainly did a good job. 400 00:27:31,416 --> 00:27:32,282 Served its purpose. 401 00:27:35,821 --> 00:27:37,554 Narrator: Nasa's plan is to finish 402 00:27:37,556 --> 00:27:39,523 Its brand new space shuttle 403 00:27:39,591 --> 00:27:43,160 And use it to boost skylab further into space. 404 00:27:46,364 --> 00:27:47,564 Barry: The expectation is that we'll move 405 00:27:47,566 --> 00:27:49,833 The skylab into a fairly high orbit 406 00:27:49,902 --> 00:27:52,903 And we'll have it up there for an indefinite period. 407 00:27:54,640 --> 00:27:58,041 Narrator: For now, the space station is forgotten. 408 00:27:58,110 --> 00:28:00,577 It orbits peacefully above the earth. 409 00:28:07,753 --> 00:28:11,755 Five years later, the universe delivers a twist of fate 410 00:28:12,925 --> 00:28:16,427 That has america watching skylab's every move. 411 00:28:20,465 --> 00:28:23,667 In 1978, nasa makes a startling announcement, 412 00:28:25,504 --> 00:28:28,005 Skylab's orbit is rapidly decaying. 413 00:28:29,207 --> 00:28:31,041 Weitekamp: There was a storm of solar flares 414 00:28:38,416 --> 00:28:40,350 And those affected the earth's atmosphere 415 00:28:40,418 --> 00:28:43,720 In a way that it started to pull on the skylab 416 00:28:43,789 --> 00:28:46,623 In a way that had not been anticipated. 417 00:28:48,293 --> 00:28:51,095 Barry: It soon became evident that skylab's orbit 418 00:28:51,163 --> 00:28:52,329 Was not gonna last long enough 419 00:28:52,397 --> 00:28:54,465 For the space shuttle to come up and rescue it. 420 00:28:55,934 --> 00:28:58,435 Narrator: As the public gets wind of the problem, 421 00:28:58,503 --> 00:29:01,438 Nasa soon admits to an even bigger challenge, 422 00:29:02,842 --> 00:29:05,876 They can't control when or where skylab 423 00:29:05,944 --> 00:29:08,044 Will re-enter the atmosphere 424 00:29:08,047 --> 00:29:10,848 Or predict where the space station will land. 425 00:29:12,051 --> 00:29:14,851 Barry: It was a very big piece of material. 426 00:29:14,920 --> 00:29:16,520 It had lots of very heavy parts 427 00:29:16,588 --> 00:29:19,055 And you didn't want that landing some place 428 00:29:19,124 --> 00:29:20,257 Where parts of it could come down 429 00:29:20,325 --> 00:29:22,092 And hit something and hurt somebody. 430 00:29:23,929 --> 00:29:26,530 Narrator: The american public goes into a frenzy. 431 00:29:28,466 --> 00:29:30,567 There are skylab predictor kits. 432 00:29:30,635 --> 00:29:31,735 Sot: Get a skylab helmet here. 433 00:29:31,737 --> 00:29:33,237 Official skylab helmet. 434 00:29:33,305 --> 00:29:38,275 Narrator: Hats, insurance, and even skylab repellent. 435 00:29:41,680 --> 00:29:44,181 America demands answers 436 00:29:44,249 --> 00:29:48,619 And the ones that nasa has to offer are not reassuring. 437 00:29:48,687 --> 00:29:50,220 Brokaw: What are the chances, for example, 438 00:29:50,222 --> 00:29:54,090 That someone will be killed as it falls out of the orbit? 439 00:29:54,093 --> 00:29:55,659 Smith: There's one chance in 150 440 00:29:55,727 --> 00:29:57,961 That any one person will be injured or killed. 441 00:29:59,799 --> 00:30:02,032 Narrator: It's a public relations disaster 442 00:30:03,068 --> 00:30:06,170 The likes of which nasa has never before seen. 443 00:30:11,877 --> 00:30:14,545 July 11th, 1979. 444 00:30:16,681 --> 00:30:19,783 62 miles above earth's surface, 445 00:30:19,785 --> 00:30:22,519 The largest machine ever launched into space 446 00:30:24,256 --> 00:30:25,622 Prepares to fall. 447 00:30:31,763 --> 00:30:34,264 Deep inside nasa control rooms, 448 00:30:34,266 --> 00:30:36,767 Engineers track skylab's re-entry. 449 00:30:39,738 --> 00:30:42,539 They can't control where the space station will re-enter. 450 00:30:44,076 --> 00:30:46,877 But they can try to slow the station down 451 00:30:46,945 --> 00:30:49,947 By angling it against the atmosphere's drag. 452 00:30:53,385 --> 00:30:56,920 If it works, skylab will fall into the indian ocean. 453 00:30:59,124 --> 00:31:02,192 If not, all bets are off. 454 00:31:08,968 --> 00:31:11,034 In the early morning hours of July 12th, 455 00:31:13,672 --> 00:31:16,240 The space station crashes through the atmosphere. 456 00:31:17,542 --> 00:31:19,676 Barry: Most of skylab landed in the indian ocean, 457 00:31:21,146 --> 00:31:22,579 But pieces of it came down with a fair amount 458 00:31:22,581 --> 00:31:25,382 Of velocity and force into the australian landmass. 459 00:31:26,785 --> 00:31:28,118 Narrator: No one is hit. 460 00:31:29,588 --> 00:31:32,723 But it's a close call with a major lesson. 461 00:31:33,993 --> 00:31:37,127 Weitekamp: I think the lesson learned for nasa on re-entry 462 00:31:37,195 --> 00:31:39,930 Is really thinking ahead against 463 00:31:39,998 --> 00:31:43,800 The hopes of what if everything went right 464 00:31:43,869 --> 00:31:46,603 To eventually what if everything goes wrong. 465 00:31:48,207 --> 00:31:50,006 Massimino: If you're gonna launch something into space, 466 00:31:50,075 --> 00:31:51,808 You're responsible for it, 467 00:31:51,877 --> 00:31:53,209 And you're responsible that 468 00:31:53,278 --> 00:31:56,146 It stays together so it won't hurt anybody. 469 00:32:03,488 --> 00:32:05,255 Narrator: Two years later, 470 00:32:05,323 --> 00:32:08,091 The shuttle that couldn't save skylab finally 471 00:32:08,160 --> 00:32:10,227 Soars into the pages of history. 472 00:32:15,567 --> 00:32:19,803 By the end of 2002, nasa has five of the orbiters. 473 00:32:23,074 --> 00:32:26,543 All together, they've flown 106 missions. 474 00:32:33,618 --> 00:32:38,121 In January 2003, one is on a rare science mission. 475 00:32:40,158 --> 00:32:43,426 It's called sts-107, 476 00:32:43,495 --> 00:32:46,997 Made up of columbia and its seven-person crew. 477 00:32:58,543 --> 00:33:01,011 The astronauts of sts-107 478 00:33:01,079 --> 00:33:03,914 Work in space for almost two full weeks. 479 00:33:08,186 --> 00:33:10,420 A day before returning home, 480 00:33:10,488 --> 00:33:13,290 They wrap up their mission with a moment of silence, 481 00:33:15,126 --> 00:33:19,463 Remembering the tragic deaths of two previous nasa crews. 482 00:33:21,499 --> 00:33:23,299 Husband: We remember and honor the crews 483 00:33:23,368 --> 00:33:25,335 Of apollo 1 and challenger, 484 00:33:26,371 --> 00:33:29,439 They made the ultimate sacrifice giving their lives 485 00:33:29,507 --> 00:33:32,142 In service to their country and for all mankind. 486 00:33:33,379 --> 00:33:35,979 (somber music) 487 00:33:45,690 --> 00:33:47,590 Narrator: On February 1st, 488 00:33:47,659 --> 00:33:49,493 The crew prepares for re-entry. 489 00:33:52,598 --> 00:33:54,498 Husband: All right, check lh attitude. 490 00:33:59,471 --> 00:34:01,838 Narrator: In houston, mission controllers 491 00:34:01,907 --> 00:34:03,874 Track the shuttle's quick descent. 492 00:34:05,277 --> 00:34:08,545 Husband: Okay houston we'll get to 304 at five minutes. 493 00:34:08,613 --> 00:34:10,480 Mocr: Rick, we're ready for ops 304. 494 00:34:12,951 --> 00:34:14,084 Barry: The shuttle was heavily instrumented 495 00:34:14,152 --> 00:34:15,819 And sent a lot of data down, 496 00:34:16,688 --> 00:34:18,054 And at mission control they're always 497 00:34:18,123 --> 00:34:20,657 On their toes watching for what might be a problem. 498 00:34:22,094 --> 00:34:23,259 Narrator: The shuttle streaks through 499 00:34:23,328 --> 00:34:26,129 The air at 18 times the speed of sound. 500 00:34:30,101 --> 00:34:32,368 23 minutes to landing. 501 00:34:32,371 --> 00:34:35,071 Suddenly, a warning from the mechanical 502 00:34:35,074 --> 00:34:38,341 And maintenance engineer alerts the room. 503 00:34:38,409 --> 00:34:39,275 Mcc-mmacs: Flight, mmacs. 504 00:34:39,344 --> 00:34:40,577 Mcc-flight: Go ahead, mmacs. 505 00:34:40,645 --> 00:34:42,912 Mcc-mmacs: Fyi, I've just lost four separate 506 00:34:42,915 --> 00:34:46,016 Temperature transducers on the left side of the vehicle. 507 00:34:51,456 --> 00:34:52,922 Narrator: Four minutes later, 508 00:34:52,925 --> 00:34:54,791 He announces another problem. 509 00:34:54,859 --> 00:34:58,895 Mcc-mmacs: We've also lost the nose gear down talkback 510 00:34:58,963 --> 00:35:00,764 And the right main gear down talkback. 511 00:35:02,000 --> 00:35:03,200 Rocha: I said, what does that mean? 512 00:35:03,268 --> 00:35:05,335 They said, it means the landing gear is unlocked. 513 00:35:05,403 --> 00:35:06,870 I said, what the hell? 514 00:35:09,942 --> 00:35:11,708 I was getting increasingly worried. 515 00:35:12,744 --> 00:35:14,744 Mcc-flight: Everything look good to you? 516 00:35:14,812 --> 00:35:17,480 Control and rates and everything is nominal right? 517 00:35:17,549 --> 00:35:19,082 Mcc-gnc: I don't see anything out of the ordinary. 518 00:35:19,150 --> 00:35:20,016 Mcc-flight: Okay. 519 00:35:21,720 --> 00:35:23,453 Barry: If it had been a normal thing like they 520 00:35:23,521 --> 00:35:25,855 Were off heading or off speed or something like that, 521 00:35:25,924 --> 00:35:27,323 That was something that they were used to correcting 522 00:35:27,392 --> 00:35:29,092 Or being able to deal with. 523 00:35:29,094 --> 00:35:31,161 But a whole series of sort of small, 524 00:35:31,229 --> 00:35:35,065 Seemingly unconnected system failures, were disturbing. 525 00:35:36,368 --> 00:35:37,634 Narrator: Mission control tries 526 00:35:37,702 --> 00:35:39,035 To check in with the crew. 527 00:35:39,905 --> 00:35:40,970 Mcc-capcom: And columbia, houston, 528 00:35:40,973 --> 00:35:42,672 We see your tire pressure messages 529 00:35:42,740 --> 00:35:44,241 And we did not copy your last. 530 00:35:45,510 --> 00:35:46,243 Husband: Roger. 531 00:35:48,981 --> 00:35:52,115 Narrator: Their brief connection is suddenly lost. 532 00:35:52,985 --> 00:35:54,317 Barry: The systems guys are seeing 533 00:35:54,386 --> 00:35:55,952 These strange things happening, 534 00:35:56,020 --> 00:35:57,821 Then the radio contact drops out 535 00:35:59,958 --> 00:36:02,091 And it dawned on mission control pretty quickly 536 00:36:02,094 --> 00:36:04,928 That there was something very bad going on. 537 00:36:13,738 --> 00:36:16,373 Narrator: February 1st, 2003. 538 00:36:17,276 --> 00:36:19,276 Mission control desperately tries 539 00:36:19,344 --> 00:36:21,744 To contact the space shuttle columbia 540 00:36:21,747 --> 00:36:24,347 As it blazes through the atmosphere. 541 00:36:24,416 --> 00:36:26,416 Mcc-capcom: Columbia, houston, uhf comm check. 542 00:36:27,819 --> 00:36:30,286 Rocha: It's routine to lose communication 543 00:36:30,355 --> 00:36:31,688 With the crew during entry 544 00:36:31,756 --> 00:36:33,390 Because of the plasma field. 545 00:36:34,325 --> 00:36:36,426 That's like an electrical shield 546 00:36:36,494 --> 00:36:38,528 Not letting communication in or out. 547 00:36:39,498 --> 00:36:43,099 We know when that starts and we know when it ends. 548 00:36:43,167 --> 00:36:46,036 Mcc-capcom: Columbia, houston, uhf comm check. 549 00:36:47,338 --> 00:36:48,605 Rocha: The part that was distressing 550 00:36:48,673 --> 00:36:50,473 Was that period was over 551 00:36:52,911 --> 00:36:54,544 And they're not answering at all. 552 00:37:02,287 --> 00:37:04,187 Narrator: 15 minutes before the shuttle 553 00:37:04,255 --> 00:37:05,989 Is scheduled to land, 554 00:37:06,057 --> 00:37:09,693 Police in east texas receive reports of strange lights, 555 00:37:11,062 --> 00:37:14,264 Loud explosions, and falling debris. 556 00:37:20,739 --> 00:37:23,106 Mission control anxiously awaits. 557 00:37:24,476 --> 00:37:28,077 The landing time comes and goes. 558 00:37:28,146 --> 00:37:29,979 Mcc-flight: Fido, when are you expecting tracking? 559 00:37:30,048 --> 00:37:31,414 Mcc-fdo: One minute ago, flight. 560 00:37:38,356 --> 00:37:42,058 Narrator: Finally, a call confirms their fears, 561 00:37:45,396 --> 00:37:48,265 The shuttle and its crew are lost. 562 00:37:56,241 --> 00:37:58,041 Massimino: When we lost columbia, 563 00:37:58,043 --> 00:38:00,210 The whole organization was devastated. 564 00:38:01,313 --> 00:38:03,847 But I think the people in the control room, 565 00:38:05,517 --> 00:38:07,917 The engineers who prepared the space shuttle 566 00:38:07,986 --> 00:38:12,722 Felt it even worse because they truly felt responsible. 567 00:38:17,929 --> 00:38:21,097 Narrator: Days later, an investigation team examines 568 00:38:21,165 --> 00:38:23,967 The digitally-enhanced film of columbia's launch. 569 00:38:38,083 --> 00:38:40,216 The footage shows a piece of foam striking 570 00:38:40,218 --> 00:38:44,120 Through columbia's left wing 81 seconds into launch. 571 00:38:47,291 --> 00:38:49,659 But the wings are reinforced by rock hard panels. 572 00:38:53,564 --> 00:38:56,366 Could a one and a half pound piece of foam 573 00:38:56,434 --> 00:38:58,735 Possibly be the cause of this disaster? 574 00:39:00,271 --> 00:39:02,004 Barry: I remember people saying, 575 00:39:02,073 --> 00:39:03,239 Well, even if the foam did hit 576 00:39:03,307 --> 00:39:06,909 The re-enforced carbon -carbon on sts-107, 577 00:39:06,912 --> 00:39:08,044 It wouldn't have done that damage. 578 00:39:08,112 --> 00:39:09,079 It's a piece of foam. 579 00:39:11,983 --> 00:39:14,484 Narrator: July, 2003. 580 00:39:14,552 --> 00:39:18,021 Southwest research institute, san antonio texas. 581 00:39:19,390 --> 00:39:22,392 Nasa prepares to replicate the strike using 582 00:39:22,394 --> 00:39:26,429 A lightweight piece of foam and a mockup of the wing. 583 00:39:28,566 --> 00:39:32,168 They carefully load the foam into a nitrogen gas cannon. 584 00:39:32,236 --> 00:39:37,173 Test captain: Five, four, three, two, one, zero. 585 00:39:38,210 --> 00:39:43,012 Narrator: The result, a gaping 16 inch hole. 586 00:39:47,618 --> 00:39:50,453 What happened to columbia is finally clear. 587 00:39:53,658 --> 00:39:55,858 A hole in the carbon panel allowed 588 00:39:55,927 --> 00:39:59,329 Superheated gas to sneak in to its left wing. 589 00:40:00,565 --> 00:40:02,231 Barry: That was like a blowtorch. 590 00:40:02,300 --> 00:40:04,834 And it just cut right through the interior of the wing. 591 00:40:06,905 --> 00:40:09,339 And as that happened, it weakened the wing, 592 00:40:10,375 --> 00:40:13,176 And during the re-entry process it eventually tore off, 593 00:40:13,244 --> 00:40:14,911 And the shuttle goes into a spin 594 00:40:14,979 --> 00:40:18,515 And comes apart into thousands of pieces. 595 00:40:21,920 --> 00:40:23,219 Narrator: It's the worst disaster 596 00:40:23,287 --> 00:40:26,022 Nasa has seen in 25 years. 597 00:40:27,926 --> 00:40:29,926 The accident investigation board wants 598 00:40:29,928 --> 00:40:32,962 To make sure it never happens again. 599 00:40:36,434 --> 00:40:39,535 They suggest 29 safety recommendations, 600 00:40:39,604 --> 00:40:43,339 Including better inspections before and during flight. 601 00:40:44,542 --> 00:40:46,609 Rocha: We had more imaging assets, 602 00:40:46,678 --> 00:40:50,747 Some radar, ground radar, ground imaging, sharper images. 603 00:40:51,783 --> 00:40:54,217 And before the landing the shuttle 604 00:40:54,219 --> 00:40:56,853 Would do a pirouette end over end 605 00:40:56,921 --> 00:40:59,989 To look at every square centimeter, 606 00:41:00,057 --> 00:41:01,691 Every nook and cranny. 607 00:41:06,397 --> 00:41:08,130 Narrator: Nasa reviews the wear and tear 608 00:41:08,199 --> 00:41:09,566 Of the aging shuttle fleet. 609 00:41:10,702 --> 00:41:13,269 They decide it's time for a new vehicle 610 00:41:13,337 --> 00:41:15,538 And new spaceflight goal. 611 00:41:16,775 --> 00:41:18,074 Barry: The bush administration decided that 612 00:41:18,142 --> 00:41:19,576 The purpose of the human space flight program 613 00:41:19,644 --> 00:41:22,645 Is to send humans to the moon and onto mars. 614 00:41:24,081 --> 00:41:26,115 Narrator: In February 2004, 615 00:41:26,184 --> 00:41:28,651 President bush makes a tough call 616 00:41:28,653 --> 00:41:31,254 For the remaining three shuttles. 617 00:41:31,322 --> 00:41:35,258 Bush: In 2010, the space shuttle, 618 00:41:35,326 --> 00:41:36,893 After nearly 30 years of duty, 619 00:41:37,863 --> 00:41:39,829 Will be retired from service. 620 00:41:47,606 --> 00:41:50,139 Narrator: The shuttles fly for seven more years. 621 00:41:58,950 --> 00:42:00,816 Capcom: Landing gear down and locked. 622 00:42:00,819 --> 00:42:04,354 Narrator: In 2011, the last one is retired. 623 00:42:05,223 --> 00:42:06,155 Capcom: The space shuttle pulls 624 00:42:06,224 --> 00:42:07,790 Into port for the last time. 625 00:42:10,028 --> 00:42:12,161 Narrator: Despite two tragic accidents 626 00:42:12,230 --> 00:42:14,964 That failed to bring astronauts home, 627 00:42:14,966 --> 00:42:18,835 The shuttle flew 135 incredible missions 628 00:42:21,172 --> 00:42:23,973 And inspired daring scientific exploration 629 00:42:23,975 --> 00:42:27,944 That will impact our world for generations to come. 630 00:42:29,680 --> 00:42:31,180 Barry: Space is really hard. 631 00:42:32,350 --> 00:42:33,349 It's rocket science, 632 00:42:33,417 --> 00:42:34,984 You're dealing with margins 633 00:42:35,053 --> 00:42:36,853 Of error that are extremely small, 634 00:42:37,989 --> 00:42:40,790 And even the littlest thing, 635 00:42:40,858 --> 00:42:43,660 A couple pound piece of foam, can be deadly. 636 00:42:49,534 --> 00:42:52,268 (dramatic music) 637 00:42:53,537 --> 00:42:56,105 Narrator: Bringing astronauts back to earth safely 638 00:42:57,075 --> 00:42:58,641 Is a high-stakes business. 639 00:43:04,949 --> 00:43:07,550 But the lessons nasa has learned through its failures 640 00:43:07,618 --> 00:43:10,053 Have paved the way for future success. 641 00:43:13,557 --> 00:43:18,494 In 2019, america's re-entry efforts reach a major milestone. 642 00:43:20,832 --> 00:43:22,598 The first time a united states 643 00:43:22,667 --> 00:43:27,604 Crew-capable space capsule makes a touchdown on land. 644 00:43:29,073 --> 00:43:31,574 Fink: Three parachutes, six airbags, 645 00:43:31,643 --> 00:43:33,509 And a beautiful soft landing. 646 00:43:33,577 --> 00:43:34,777 Can't wait to try it out. 647 00:43:37,849 --> 00:43:40,550 Narrator: Proving that no matter how high we climb, 648 00:43:43,187 --> 00:43:44,654 Or how far we go, 649 00:43:48,393 --> 00:43:53,296 We'll always need a way back home. 650 00:43:54,732 --> 00:43:57,467 (dramatic music)