1 00:00:01,101 --> 00:00:03,602 Narrator: In space, there are few second changes. 2 00:00:04,971 --> 00:00:06,438 When something breaks-- 3 00:00:06,440 --> 00:00:07,906 Pilot: Alpha warning. 4 00:00:07,974 --> 00:00:10,742 Narrator: The wrong fix can be deadly. 5 00:00:10,811 --> 00:00:13,478 Kluger: You could actually have a spacecraft snap. 6 00:00:13,547 --> 00:00:15,847 Narrator: Equipment failures, 7 00:00:15,916 --> 00:00:16,982 (radio chattering) 8 00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:18,817 Mid-flight disasters, 9 00:00:18,885 --> 00:00:21,019 (dramatic music) 10 00:00:21,088 --> 00:00:22,621 And last-ditch efforts-- 11 00:00:23,590 --> 00:00:26,058 Pilot: So this is gonna be a very tight maneuver. 12 00:00:26,060 --> 00:00:29,061 Narrator: 250 miles above the earth. 13 00:00:29,129 --> 00:00:31,630 Teitel: There's no one they can call in to make a repair. 14 00:00:31,632 --> 00:00:32,964 Narrator: Witness some 15 00:00:32,967 --> 00:00:35,300 Of the most unexpected accidents in spaceflight. 16 00:00:36,470 --> 00:00:38,037 Foale: I think, "oh, maybe this is it. 17 00:00:38,105 --> 00:00:39,271 "this is where I'm going to die." 18 00:00:39,339 --> 00:00:40,572 Narrator: And meet the astronauts 19 00:00:40,641 --> 00:00:42,875 Who had to fix them on the fly. 20 00:00:42,943 --> 00:00:45,077 Parazynski: We had never trained to do anything like this. 21 00:00:45,079 --> 00:00:46,078 Woman: Be careful. 22 00:00:47,848 --> 00:00:50,516 (dramatic music) 23 00:00:59,326 --> 00:01:00,992 (dramatic music) 24 00:01:01,061 --> 00:01:03,429 Narrator: October 30th, 2007. 25 00:01:05,465 --> 00:01:06,999 The international space station. 26 00:01:09,636 --> 00:01:13,271 Astronauts scott parazynski and douglas wheelock 27 00:01:13,340 --> 00:01:18,277 Of mission sts-120 gear up for spacewalk number three. 28 00:01:20,314 --> 00:01:22,247 Their plan, to relocate 29 00:01:22,249 --> 00:01:25,117 One of the station's three sets of solar arrays. 30 00:01:26,253 --> 00:01:29,655 Each one is crucial to supporting life in space. 31 00:01:31,192 --> 00:01:33,458 Parazynski: The lifeblood of the international space station 32 00:01:33,461 --> 00:01:34,659 Is the sun's energy. 33 00:01:34,662 --> 00:01:37,696 If we didn't have access to that power, 34 00:01:37,764 --> 00:01:40,398 All the life support systems would not be able to function. 35 00:01:40,401 --> 00:01:42,267 So we really needed 36 00:01:42,269 --> 00:01:44,903 All of our solar panels working perfectly. 37 00:01:50,410 --> 00:01:53,612 Narrator: Moving the panel is a major challenge. 38 00:01:53,680 --> 00:01:55,680 It's compressed for easy transport 39 00:01:55,749 --> 00:01:59,785 But spreads 16 feet wide by 35 feet long. 40 00:02:01,355 --> 00:02:04,256 Parazynski: In earth terms, it weighs about 40,000 pounds. 41 00:02:04,324 --> 00:02:07,226 So it's gotta be maneuvered with great precision. 42 00:02:08,162 --> 00:02:10,529 Narrator: Parazynski and wheelock position themselves 43 00:02:10,597 --> 00:02:11,830 At the end of the station. 44 00:02:13,099 --> 00:02:15,234 Man: Good motion, continue. 45 00:02:15,302 --> 00:02:17,035 Parazynski: Continuing. 46 00:02:18,639 --> 00:02:20,906 Once we got it out to the very tip of the space station, 47 00:02:20,974 --> 00:02:23,441 We had to have accuracy of alignment 48 00:02:23,510 --> 00:02:26,912 As well as position within an inch and a degree 49 00:02:26,980 --> 00:02:28,914 To allow us to bolt this thing together. 50 00:02:32,186 --> 00:02:33,952 Narrator: It takes seven long hours 51 00:02:34,021 --> 00:02:35,654 To lock the array in place. 52 00:02:38,892 --> 00:02:41,260 Parazynski and wheelock plug in the power. 53 00:02:43,129 --> 00:02:47,966 Melroy: Deploy starting on my mark three, two, one, mark. 54 00:02:49,369 --> 00:02:50,869 Narrator: They marvel as the panel 55 00:02:50,871 --> 00:02:52,771 Slowly begins to unfurl. 56 00:02:54,207 --> 00:02:55,340 Parazynski: It was gorgeous. 57 00:02:55,408 --> 00:02:56,742 Kind of a hallelujah moment. 58 00:02:57,878 --> 00:03:00,845 And we were actually already on our way inside the air lock 59 00:03:00,914 --> 00:03:03,615 When all hell starts to break loose. 60 00:03:05,318 --> 00:03:08,286 Narrator: As the panel's wings extend into space, 61 00:03:08,355 --> 00:03:11,657 Commander pamela melroy spots a problem. 62 00:03:13,460 --> 00:03:14,826 Melroy: Aborting. 63 00:03:14,894 --> 00:03:18,697 Houston, alpha, we detected some damage 64 00:03:18,765 --> 00:03:22,568 And we're zoomed in on it on camera 24 right now. 65 00:03:23,737 --> 00:03:25,704 Mission control: We see it, examining. 66 00:03:26,707 --> 00:03:28,840 Narrator: In the middle of the panel, 67 00:03:28,908 --> 00:03:30,342 There's a massive tear. 68 00:03:32,379 --> 00:03:35,047 Left as-is the tear is likely 69 00:03:35,115 --> 00:03:37,082 To short circuit the whole array. 70 00:03:38,151 --> 00:03:40,652 Even worse, it could expand 71 00:03:40,721 --> 00:03:43,055 And make the entire structure unstable. 72 00:03:45,492 --> 00:03:47,392 Mission control assesses the damage 73 00:03:47,460 --> 00:03:48,727 Through a live video feed. 74 00:03:50,030 --> 00:03:53,064 It's clear the crew will need to fix the tear. 75 00:03:53,067 --> 00:03:55,434 The only question is how. 76 00:03:56,536 --> 00:03:58,403 Parazynski: We realized that this was something 77 00:03:58,472 --> 00:04:01,072 That had never been conjured up for our playbook. 78 00:04:01,075 --> 00:04:03,642 We had never trained to deal with anything like this. 79 00:04:03,710 --> 00:04:06,678 Narrator: Over the next three days mission control works 80 00:04:06,747 --> 00:04:10,782 Around the clock trying to come up with a way 81 00:04:10,850 --> 00:04:13,685 To fix the tear using just the tools 82 00:04:13,753 --> 00:04:15,420 That the astronauts have on board. 83 00:04:16,589 --> 00:04:18,690 Parazynski: Ultimately they focused on one 84 00:04:18,759 --> 00:04:21,426 That had the greatest promise. 85 00:04:21,495 --> 00:04:24,830 They said, "what if we built pieces of wire 86 00:04:24,898 --> 00:04:27,966 "with tabs on either end and we could bridge the gap 87 00:04:28,034 --> 00:04:30,736 "across the damaged portion of the solar panel?" 88 00:04:33,039 --> 00:04:34,839 Narrator: Pilot george zamka 89 00:04:34,842 --> 00:04:37,175 And commander peggy whitson call 90 00:04:37,243 --> 00:04:38,943 On their inner macgyvers. 91 00:04:39,012 --> 00:04:42,247 They assemble the device that they dub the cufflinks. 92 00:04:43,683 --> 00:04:47,652 It's made from strips of aluminum, a hole-punch, 93 00:04:47,655 --> 00:04:51,156 A bolt-connector, and 60 feet of wire. 94 00:04:53,593 --> 00:04:57,329 It falls to parazynski and wheelock to make the big fix. 95 00:04:59,833 --> 00:05:03,468 On day 12 of the mission, parazynski gets ready 96 00:05:03,536 --> 00:05:06,104 For a spacewalk fraught with danger. 97 00:05:07,274 --> 00:05:11,176 The path to the damaged array is an electrical mine field. 98 00:05:12,746 --> 00:05:15,914 Any metal could attract a charge or a spark. 99 00:05:17,951 --> 00:05:20,418 He hopes that non-conductive tape over his gloves 100 00:05:20,487 --> 00:05:23,822 And tools will help keep him safe. 101 00:05:23,890 --> 00:05:25,890 Parazynski: There was concern that there could be arching 102 00:05:25,959 --> 00:05:27,826 Or direct current into my space suit, 103 00:05:27,894 --> 00:05:29,527 Which is filled with 100% oxygen, 104 00:05:29,596 --> 00:05:32,731 So that can cause a fire or an explosion. 105 00:05:32,799 --> 00:05:35,334 Narrator: Parazynski also faces another danger. 106 00:05:36,669 --> 00:05:38,837 He has to go farther from the airlock 107 00:05:38,905 --> 00:05:42,274 Than any station spacewalker has ever traveled. 108 00:05:44,111 --> 00:05:46,645 To get him there, mission control comes up 109 00:05:46,713 --> 00:05:48,347 With a daring solution, 110 00:05:50,650 --> 00:05:53,551 A 90-foot long super lift made 111 00:05:53,620 --> 00:05:56,020 From the space station's robotic arm 112 00:05:56,089 --> 00:05:57,723 And the space shuttle's boom. 113 00:05:59,759 --> 00:06:02,828 The new maneuver has the astronauts on edge. 114 00:06:05,399 --> 00:06:08,066 Parazynski: For the first time in my professional career 115 00:06:08,134 --> 00:06:12,137 As an astronaut going out on a spacewalk I had real doubts. 116 00:06:12,205 --> 00:06:14,272 I didn't know how the day was gonna go. 117 00:06:16,576 --> 00:06:18,009 I'm ready, proceed. 118 00:06:20,347 --> 00:06:23,848 Narrator: Inside the station, astronaut stephanie wilson 119 00:06:23,917 --> 00:06:26,785 Carefully steers the robotic arm towards the array 120 00:06:30,323 --> 00:06:33,392 With parazynski hanging on for dear life. 121 00:06:36,897 --> 00:06:37,896 Parazynski: I was out the end 122 00:06:37,898 --> 00:06:40,198 Of a fly fishing rod, if you will. 123 00:06:40,266 --> 00:06:44,569 And it was a 45 minute long drive out to the work site. 124 00:06:44,638 --> 00:06:46,805 And I had this god's eye view looking down, 125 00:06:46,873 --> 00:06:49,707 Soaking in the views of our beautiful planet 126 00:06:49,776 --> 00:06:51,676 And the enormity of the universe. 127 00:06:53,780 --> 00:06:55,514 It's an absolutely spectacular view. 128 00:06:57,384 --> 00:06:59,784 Narrator: At last, the arm slows 129 00:06:59,787 --> 00:07:01,653 To a halt in front of the panel. 130 00:07:05,058 --> 00:07:07,092 Parazynski: This is gonna be a very tight maneuver. 131 00:07:09,429 --> 00:07:11,329 Another 10 centimeters. 132 00:07:11,397 --> 00:07:12,430 Wheelock: That's about 10, right there. 133 00:07:12,433 --> 00:07:14,266 Parazynski: Okay, let's stop here. 134 00:07:15,568 --> 00:07:17,502 Melroy: You have some surgery to do, dr. Parazynski. 135 00:07:17,570 --> 00:07:18,570 Parazynski: I think so! 136 00:07:20,674 --> 00:07:22,440 Narrator: Parazynski must sew the cufflinks on 137 00:07:22,509 --> 00:07:23,708 From a safe distance. 138 00:07:25,144 --> 00:07:28,813 The arrays are a threat because of the electricity 139 00:07:28,882 --> 00:07:31,416 But also because of their bite. 140 00:07:31,418 --> 00:07:33,785 Parazynski: There are actually sharp edges on the solar panels 141 00:07:33,853 --> 00:07:36,188 So it could actually cut my suit causing a leak. 142 00:07:37,190 --> 00:07:39,157 Getting the hockey stick back out. 143 00:07:39,226 --> 00:07:43,428 I had a tool about this long, I called it a hockey stick 144 00:07:43,497 --> 00:07:46,298 And that was there to prevent any direct contact 145 00:07:46,366 --> 00:07:47,532 With me or my spacesuit. 146 00:07:49,436 --> 00:07:52,303 Right there is the small damaged line. 147 00:07:52,372 --> 00:07:53,839 Melroy: I see the small damage. 148 00:07:53,907 --> 00:07:55,240 Parazynski: Okay. Melroy: I see the large damage. 149 00:07:55,242 --> 00:07:57,442 I concur that's the right cuff link. 150 00:07:57,511 --> 00:07:59,978 Parazynski: I then have to straighten out the cufflinks 151 00:08:00,046 --> 00:08:04,349 So that I can actually install this short aluminum tab 152 00:08:04,417 --> 00:08:06,818 Through a hole that's in the solar panel. 153 00:08:09,323 --> 00:08:13,825 The first half in. 154 00:08:13,893 --> 00:08:15,193 Second's half in. 155 00:08:15,195 --> 00:08:17,996 Narrator: The first cuff link is a perfect fit. 156 00:08:17,998 --> 00:08:18,797 Melroy: Well done. 157 00:08:18,865 --> 00:08:19,664 Wheelock: All right. 158 00:08:20,801 --> 00:08:23,935 (dramatic music) 159 00:08:24,003 --> 00:08:26,804 Narrator: One down, four to go. 160 00:08:26,807 --> 00:08:29,508 The work is painstaking and slow. 161 00:08:33,614 --> 00:08:36,548 Parazynski's job is made even more difficult 162 00:08:36,616 --> 00:08:38,083 By movement in the panel. 163 00:08:39,453 --> 00:08:41,353 Each encounter with the array 164 00:08:41,421 --> 00:08:43,622 Momentarily increases his risk. 165 00:08:45,092 --> 00:08:49,361 His only help is astronaut doug wheelock floating nearby. 166 00:08:51,364 --> 00:08:55,433 Parazynski has to rely on his partner to keep him safe. 167 00:08:56,737 --> 00:08:58,369 Parazynski: Doug wheelock, who was at the base of the array, 168 00:08:58,438 --> 00:09:00,672 Had a really critical job. 169 00:09:00,740 --> 00:09:02,540 If you were to push on the solar panel 170 00:09:02,609 --> 00:09:04,509 It would float away from you harmlessly 171 00:09:04,577 --> 00:09:06,644 For maybe six, eight feet, 172 00:09:06,713 --> 00:09:09,280 But then it would accelerate back towards you 173 00:09:09,349 --> 00:09:11,482 And wheels was there to spot for me to make sure 174 00:09:11,551 --> 00:09:14,185 That we didn't ever have any direct contact 175 00:09:14,254 --> 00:09:16,288 Between the solar panel and my spacesuit. 176 00:09:17,790 --> 00:09:19,958 Wheelock: Looking good, man. 177 00:09:20,927 --> 00:09:23,394 Narrator: At johnson space center in houston, 178 00:09:23,397 --> 00:09:25,129 Mission control anxiously 179 00:09:25,132 --> 00:09:27,732 Monitors the astronauts progress. 180 00:09:27,800 --> 00:09:31,135 Parazynski: Both doug and I had cameras on our space suits 181 00:09:31,204 --> 00:09:34,072 So they could actually see exactly what we're doing. 182 00:09:34,140 --> 00:09:36,441 So all these people were leaning forward in their chairs, 183 00:09:36,509 --> 00:09:40,178 You know, watching every aspect and giving us feedback. 184 00:09:42,382 --> 00:09:45,917 Okay, I am ready to maneuver when you guys are. 185 00:09:45,986 --> 00:09:47,686 Melroy: Yeah, you need an extra hand out there don't ya? 186 00:09:47,754 --> 00:09:48,720 Parazynski: Yes, I do. 187 00:09:50,357 --> 00:09:52,857 Narrator: Parazynski ties off another cuff link 188 00:09:56,195 --> 00:09:56,962 And then another. 189 00:09:58,131 --> 00:10:01,366 He has just one more to go when he hears one 190 00:10:01,434 --> 00:10:03,568 Of his colleagues call out with alarm. 191 00:10:04,571 --> 00:10:05,437 Melroy: Be careful. 192 00:10:05,505 --> 00:10:06,537 Parazynski: Yeah, I see it. 193 00:10:06,540 --> 00:10:08,139 Narrator: Parazynski looks up to see 194 00:10:08,141 --> 00:10:12,611 The electrified array careening toward him, fast. 195 00:10:14,947 --> 00:10:18,349 Perched on top of the international space station, 196 00:10:18,418 --> 00:10:21,319 Astronaut scott parazynski works carefully 197 00:10:21,321 --> 00:10:23,555 To repair a damaged solar panel. 198 00:10:24,524 --> 00:10:27,125 The shuttle's crew anxiously watches him work, 199 00:10:28,495 --> 00:10:32,831 All too aware that the slightest error could mean disaster. 200 00:10:36,469 --> 00:10:38,036 Parazynski: I've got the first half in. 201 00:10:40,039 --> 00:10:41,305 Second half in. 202 00:10:41,374 --> 00:10:44,409 Narrator: Suddenly, the super-charged electrical hazard 203 00:10:44,411 --> 00:10:46,678 Swings right toward him. 204 00:10:46,746 --> 00:10:47,812 (doug yelps) 205 00:10:47,880 --> 00:10:48,680 Melroy: Be careful. 206 00:10:48,682 --> 00:10:49,547 Parazynski: Yeah, I see it. 207 00:10:50,550 --> 00:10:52,617 I was ready with my hockey stick. 208 00:10:56,022 --> 00:10:57,955 And the solar panel passed harmlessly 209 00:10:57,958 --> 00:10:59,758 Above my head and beneath my boots. 210 00:11:03,362 --> 00:11:05,530 Wheelock: Lookin' good, man. 211 00:11:06,499 --> 00:11:10,968 Okay, going for number five. 212 00:11:10,971 --> 00:11:14,172 Narrator: Finally, parazynski secures the last cufflink. 213 00:11:16,143 --> 00:11:19,911 He's been out of the airlock for more than six hours. 214 00:11:19,913 --> 00:11:21,413 The time has paid off. 215 00:11:23,250 --> 00:11:26,484 The tear in the panel appears to be contained. 216 00:11:29,523 --> 00:11:31,189 Melroy: And houston discovery, do you concur? 217 00:11:31,257 --> 00:11:33,491 We think we're ready to pull back 218 00:11:33,559 --> 00:11:37,328 To the viewing position and begin the solar array deploy. 219 00:11:38,264 --> 00:11:40,798 Mission control: We are happy with the current config, 220 00:11:40,867 --> 00:11:42,500 And we're ready for you to back off 221 00:11:42,568 --> 00:11:44,402 And get ready for the deploy. 222 00:11:46,839 --> 00:11:50,942 Tani: All right, deploy in two, one, mark. 223 00:11:51,010 --> 00:11:53,678 (dramatic music) 224 00:11:59,018 --> 00:12:01,186 Narrator: As the panels start to extend, 225 00:12:03,356 --> 00:12:06,224 Parazynski: We've got deploy reached, two deploys reached. 226 00:12:06,226 --> 00:12:07,358 Man: Yay! 227 00:12:07,426 --> 00:12:08,860 Narrator: The cufflinks hold tight. 228 00:12:08,928 --> 00:12:09,761 Man: That's great news! Beautiful 229 00:12:10,697 --> 00:12:11,796 What an accomplishment. 230 00:12:15,334 --> 00:12:18,103 (people clapping) 231 00:12:19,172 --> 00:12:21,839 Parazynski: It was one of the greatest moments in my life. 232 00:12:21,908 --> 00:12:23,141 Melroy: Nice teamwork. 233 00:12:23,209 --> 00:12:24,242 Wheelock: Phenomenal! 234 00:12:24,244 --> 00:12:26,077 Woman: Excellent work, guys, excellent! 235 00:12:26,145 --> 00:12:27,578 Parazynski: When we heard that confirmation. 236 00:12:27,581 --> 00:12:29,814 You could actually hear people cheering in mission control 237 00:12:29,882 --> 00:12:32,217 And it was pretty special. 238 00:12:34,821 --> 00:12:37,555 Narrator: 12 years later, the cufflinks installed 239 00:12:37,623 --> 00:12:42,560 By sts-120 still hold the panels together providing power 240 00:12:42,863 --> 00:12:45,296 For today's astronauts to do their work. 241 00:12:47,000 --> 00:12:48,733 Parazynski: I think back to the repairs 242 00:12:48,735 --> 00:12:50,501 And it's pretty wonderful 243 00:12:50,570 --> 00:12:52,270 To know that they're still up there. 244 00:12:53,372 --> 00:12:56,040 (dramatic music) 245 00:13:00,013 --> 00:13:02,247 Narrator: When something breaks in space, 246 00:13:02,315 --> 00:13:05,583 It's the astronauts that need to get hands-on with a fix. 247 00:13:06,652 --> 00:13:09,220 In the early years of space travel, 248 00:13:09,222 --> 00:13:10,789 This wasn't always the case. 249 00:13:12,025 --> 00:13:13,491 Astronauts were once considered 250 00:13:13,560 --> 00:13:15,527 Little more than spam in a can, 251 00:13:16,929 --> 00:13:18,663 Just going along for the ride. 252 00:13:20,567 --> 00:13:22,300 (dramatic music) 253 00:13:22,302 --> 00:13:24,269 October 1958. 254 00:13:25,538 --> 00:13:27,338 Nasa inaugurates america's 255 00:13:27,406 --> 00:13:31,576 First human spaceflight program, project mercury. 256 00:13:32,778 --> 00:13:35,913 Its goal, to put a man into orbit 257 00:13:35,982 --> 00:13:38,649 And land him safely back on earth. 258 00:13:38,718 --> 00:13:40,184 (upbeat music) 259 00:13:40,187 --> 00:13:42,720 Engineers believe that the mercury spacecraft 260 00:13:42,788 --> 00:13:46,057 Should be controlled from the ground, not the cockpit. 261 00:13:47,594 --> 00:13:50,328 They design the capsule to be flown automatically. 262 00:13:51,397 --> 00:13:56,200 Astronauts will be mere passengers, not pilots. 263 00:13:56,203 --> 00:13:58,669 Barry: 'cause they were seen as test subjects. 264 00:13:58,738 --> 00:14:02,240 Engineers tended to think that pilots were a pain, 265 00:14:02,308 --> 00:14:03,407 And they needed to minimize 266 00:14:03,410 --> 00:14:04,642 The amount of interference they had. 267 00:14:05,779 --> 00:14:08,980 Narrator: President eisenhower has a different idea. 268 00:14:09,048 --> 00:14:12,216 He demands that nasa use military test pilots 269 00:14:12,285 --> 00:14:14,118 As the first men in space. 270 00:14:16,889 --> 00:14:18,189 The first group of seven astronauts 271 00:14:18,257 --> 00:14:21,092 Enters the program in April 1959. 272 00:14:22,561 --> 00:14:25,830 They quickly take an active role in the spacecraft's design. 273 00:14:28,034 --> 00:14:33,004 By 1963, nasa has added two new groups of astronauts. 274 00:14:33,506 --> 00:14:35,940 They're part of project gemini, 275 00:14:36,008 --> 00:14:38,342 The program that will test the techniques 276 00:14:38,411 --> 00:14:39,878 To put a man on the moon. 277 00:14:41,915 --> 00:14:44,048 All of these men are experienced pilots. 278 00:14:45,385 --> 00:14:47,752 Most are also engineers. 279 00:14:49,488 --> 00:14:52,890 A year into the program, two of those men find themselves 280 00:14:52,959 --> 00:14:57,028 On a hair-raising mission that pushes their piloting skills 281 00:14:57,096 --> 00:14:59,998 And their engineering prowess to the limit. 282 00:15:01,334 --> 00:15:03,734 (bright music) 283 00:15:03,737 --> 00:15:06,571 March 16, 1966. 284 00:15:09,275 --> 00:15:11,842 Neil armstrong and dave scott suit up 285 00:15:11,911 --> 00:15:16,547 For gemini 8 the program's sixth crewed mission. 286 00:15:16,616 --> 00:15:20,018 It will send the men into space for the very first time. 287 00:15:22,822 --> 00:15:25,623 The plan is to dock with an unmanned spacecraft 288 00:15:25,692 --> 00:15:28,159 Called the agena target vehicle. 289 00:15:28,161 --> 00:15:31,596 Kluger: The agena target vehicle was basically a cylinder. 290 00:15:32,798 --> 00:15:35,166 It had a docking port at one end 291 00:15:35,234 --> 00:15:38,002 And it had an engine at the other end. 292 00:15:38,070 --> 00:15:42,506 It was used to test docking 293 00:15:42,575 --> 00:15:45,042 Because that's how the command module 294 00:15:45,111 --> 00:15:48,613 And the lunar module were going to fly to and from the moon. 295 00:15:50,550 --> 00:15:51,716 Narrator: Armstrong and scott hope 296 00:15:51,784 --> 00:15:53,384 To catch the agena mid-orbit. 297 00:15:55,655 --> 00:15:58,522 Once connected, they'll begin a three-day mission 298 00:15:58,591 --> 00:16:00,992 Docking and undocking with the agena. 299 00:16:02,395 --> 00:16:03,928 It will be the first time 300 00:16:03,997 --> 00:16:08,933 That two objects have ever docked in orbit, if it works. 301 00:16:12,338 --> 00:16:16,841 On March 16th, the astronauts enter the spacecraft. 302 00:16:20,346 --> 00:16:25,249 Five launch pads away, the agena gets its head start. 303 00:16:26,486 --> 00:16:31,456 (dramatic music) (rocket whooshing) 304 00:16:38,364 --> 00:16:40,698 An hour and 40 minutes later, 305 00:16:40,766 --> 00:16:42,533 Armstrong and scott follow suit. 306 00:16:44,204 --> 00:16:45,636 Man: Liftoff. 307 00:16:45,704 --> 00:16:47,905 Narrator: Perched on top of a massive titan ii rocket, 308 00:16:55,915 --> 00:16:58,149 They blast through the atmosphere in pursuit. 309 00:17:02,789 --> 00:17:06,324 Once in orbit, the first stage of the spacecraft separates. 310 00:17:08,828 --> 00:17:12,963 Inside, the astronauts power up the tracking radar. 311 00:17:13,032 --> 00:17:16,500 Locating their target will be a difficult task. 312 00:17:16,569 --> 00:17:19,670 Kluger: If you look at the three dimensional volumes 313 00:17:19,738 --> 00:17:24,608 Surrounding the earth, that is a whole lot 314 00:17:24,677 --> 00:17:28,813 Of cubic miles of space and you have two spacecraft 315 00:17:28,881 --> 00:17:31,482 That are basically dust motes 316 00:17:31,551 --> 00:17:35,186 That have to be able to find one another in orbit. 317 00:17:37,923 --> 00:17:39,190 Narrator: Armstrong and scott search 318 00:17:39,258 --> 00:17:41,125 For any sign of the agena's signal. 319 00:17:44,463 --> 00:17:48,166 After nearly four hours in pursuit, success. 320 00:17:50,036 --> 00:17:52,703 Man: Roger, do you have solid radar lock 321 00:17:52,771 --> 00:17:53,805 With the agena, over? 322 00:17:54,908 --> 00:17:58,008 Armstrong: That's affirmative, we have solid radar lock. 323 00:17:58,077 --> 00:18:00,444 Just thinking about giving you a current range. 324 00:18:00,447 --> 00:18:01,245 Capcom: Roger, thank you. 325 00:18:01,314 --> 00:18:02,113 Sounds good. 326 00:18:03,382 --> 00:18:05,649 Narrator: Armstrong fires up the directional thrusters 327 00:18:05,652 --> 00:18:07,218 To match the agena's orbit. 328 00:18:08,287 --> 00:18:11,255 (dramatic music) 329 00:18:11,257 --> 00:18:16,227 With each movement, gemini 8 slowly maneuvers within range. 330 00:18:18,665 --> 00:18:20,030 Not an easy task 331 00:18:20,099 --> 00:18:23,134 When you're moving 10 times the speed of a bullet. 332 00:18:23,136 --> 00:18:25,269 Kluger: You could actually have a spacecraft snap 333 00:18:25,338 --> 00:18:27,538 If one suddenly turns one way 334 00:18:27,607 --> 00:18:29,340 And the other torques another way. 335 00:18:31,577 --> 00:18:33,811 Narrator: In houston, flight controllers wait 336 00:18:33,813 --> 00:18:35,079 For word from the crew. 337 00:18:36,115 --> 00:18:39,550 (tense suspenseful music) 338 00:18:42,555 --> 00:18:44,388 Armstrong inches closer. 339 00:18:46,893 --> 00:18:47,725 Bull's-eye. 340 00:18:48,962 --> 00:18:51,162 The latches lock into place. 341 00:18:51,230 --> 00:18:52,563 Docking complete. 342 00:18:54,266 --> 00:18:56,200 Ground control is ecstatic. 343 00:18:57,736 --> 00:19:00,171 Nasa is one step closer to the moon. 344 00:19:02,509 --> 00:19:05,610 Unfortunately, they can't celebrate for long. 345 00:19:07,346 --> 00:19:10,314 Communications between nasa and gemini are 346 00:19:10,382 --> 00:19:11,849 About to be cut short. 347 00:19:13,319 --> 00:19:15,986 Kluger: At that point we didn't have the web 348 00:19:16,055 --> 00:19:19,456 Of global communication satellites that allow spacecraft 349 00:19:19,459 --> 00:19:21,826 To be in constant contact with the earth. 350 00:19:23,762 --> 00:19:28,232 You would be in contact with the ground for 12, 13 minutes 351 00:19:30,035 --> 00:19:32,803 And then you would move into a blackout. 352 00:19:32,805 --> 00:19:36,440 Narrator: Moments after the docking, the blackout begins. 353 00:19:39,612 --> 00:19:42,713 Gemini 8 cruises into the darkness on a high, 354 00:19:43,950 --> 00:19:48,186 Blissfully unaware of what awaits them on the other side. 355 00:19:49,422 --> 00:19:53,023 (suspenseful music) 356 00:19:53,092 --> 00:19:56,494 The two linked spacecraft drift over the pacific ocean. 357 00:20:00,199 --> 00:20:02,567 Armstrong powers up the agena's engines. 358 00:20:06,472 --> 00:20:07,772 But something isn't right. 359 00:20:10,442 --> 00:20:12,276 Teitel: Once docked with the agena, 360 00:20:12,344 --> 00:20:13,644 The crew was supposed to use it and its engines 361 00:20:13,646 --> 00:20:15,212 To make some maneuvers in orbit. 362 00:20:15,281 --> 00:20:17,114 But instead what happens is the spacecraft 363 00:20:17,116 --> 00:20:18,316 Just starts rolling. 364 00:20:19,852 --> 00:20:22,319 (alarm blaring) 365 00:20:22,322 --> 00:20:24,455 Narrator: Armstrong is caught off guard. 366 00:20:26,292 --> 00:20:28,692 He quickly fires up one of the gemini's thrusters 367 00:20:28,761 --> 00:20:30,527 To counteract the spin. 368 00:20:30,596 --> 00:20:33,531 (quiet tense music) 369 00:20:37,136 --> 00:20:38,369 But it's short lived. 370 00:20:40,572 --> 00:20:42,540 The spin starts right back up. 371 00:20:44,143 --> 00:20:45,643 (alarm blaring) 372 00:20:45,711 --> 00:20:49,847 Kluger: The assumption was, the agena is firing. 373 00:20:49,915 --> 00:20:53,417 And they said, "we got to bail on this thing." 374 00:20:53,486 --> 00:20:56,053 Narrator: Scott quickly punches the undock button 375 00:20:57,556 --> 00:20:59,657 Sending the agena into the void. 376 00:21:01,828 --> 00:21:06,497 To his horror the spinning accelerates. 377 00:21:09,502 --> 00:21:10,735 Teitel: Both astronauts felt like 378 00:21:10,803 --> 00:21:12,103 They were going to pass out. 379 00:21:12,171 --> 00:21:14,505 They could barely focus their eyes enough 380 00:21:14,507 --> 00:21:17,675 On the control panel to see what they were doing. 381 00:21:17,743 --> 00:21:19,176 Narrator: Suddenly, the connection 382 00:21:19,244 --> 00:21:21,279 With ground control crackles back to life. 383 00:21:23,049 --> 00:21:24,648 Armstrong: We've got serious problems here. 384 00:21:24,717 --> 00:21:26,984 We're tumbling end over end up here. 385 00:21:27,052 --> 00:21:29,286 We had to disengage from the agena. 386 00:21:29,289 --> 00:21:32,823 Man: Okay, we got status, free indication here. 387 00:21:32,892 --> 00:21:34,525 (dramatic music) 388 00:21:34,527 --> 00:21:36,927 Narrator: Frantic, they search for a solution 389 00:21:37,863 --> 00:21:40,331 And pray they're not too late. 390 00:21:43,435 --> 00:21:44,234 (dramatic music) 391 00:21:44,237 --> 00:21:46,871 160 miles above the earth, 392 00:21:47,773 --> 00:21:50,574 The gemini 8 capsule spins wildly. 393 00:21:55,081 --> 00:21:58,282 Astronauts neil armstrong and dave scott struggle 394 00:21:58,284 --> 00:21:59,617 To regain control. 395 00:22:01,520 --> 00:22:04,188 (men chattering) 396 00:22:07,226 --> 00:22:09,760 Standard protocol isn't likely to save them. 397 00:22:11,964 --> 00:22:15,232 Armstrong takes a gamble and goes off book. 398 00:22:16,769 --> 00:22:19,570 Kluger: He had to engage the reentry system. 399 00:22:19,638 --> 00:22:22,306 It was a special set of thrusters 400 00:22:22,375 --> 00:22:26,143 That you use only when you're ready to come home. 401 00:22:28,114 --> 00:22:30,848 Teitel: Armstrong knew the inside of that cockpit so well, 402 00:22:30,850 --> 00:22:33,817 That even with his blurred vision, he was able to reach up 403 00:22:33,886 --> 00:22:36,720 And shut down the gemini's thrust control rockets 404 00:22:36,789 --> 00:22:39,390 That are firing and causing the spin. 405 00:22:39,458 --> 00:22:43,861 (engines whooshing) (dramatic music) 406 00:22:43,929 --> 00:22:45,929 Narrator: The punch of the re-entry thrusters 407 00:22:45,932 --> 00:22:48,366 Lets the spacecraft push against the spin. 408 00:22:55,407 --> 00:22:57,942 Finally, the gemini stabilizes. 409 00:23:00,078 --> 00:23:03,214 Armstrong's quick fix and good instincts pay off. 410 00:23:06,886 --> 00:23:09,854 From here, there's only one place they can go, 411 00:23:13,492 --> 00:23:14,325 Back home. 412 00:23:18,397 --> 00:23:20,297 Teitel: Because he used the reentry system, 413 00:23:20,365 --> 00:23:23,233 Mission protocol says you have to come home. 414 00:23:23,236 --> 00:23:25,069 The mission had to end right away. 415 00:23:27,072 --> 00:23:29,573 (somber music) 416 00:23:35,047 --> 00:23:37,181 Narrator: Nearly 11 hours after launch 417 00:23:38,050 --> 00:23:39,583 The capsule splashes down 418 00:23:39,652 --> 00:23:41,552 Successfully in the pacific ocean. 419 00:23:42,188 --> 00:23:45,322 (helicopters whirring) 420 00:23:47,092 --> 00:23:49,794 Armstrong and scott emerge safe and sound. 421 00:23:51,997 --> 00:23:55,699 Nasa's first docking ends with its first emergency landing. 422 00:23:56,869 --> 00:24:01,038 All the same, the mission is considered a complete success. 423 00:24:02,407 --> 00:24:07,311 Kluger: It helped prove that astronauts on their own, 424 00:24:08,414 --> 00:24:12,649 Without mission control being able to intervene, 425 00:24:12,652 --> 00:24:15,986 Could resolve problems in real time. 426 00:24:17,122 --> 00:24:18,756 (bright music) 427 00:24:18,824 --> 00:24:20,791 Narrator: Little does nasa know, 428 00:24:20,859 --> 00:24:22,493 Soon its astronauts will go 429 00:24:22,561 --> 00:24:27,498 From rescuing small capsules to saving a space station. 430 00:24:28,134 --> 00:24:30,901 (dramatic music) 431 00:24:32,572 --> 00:24:34,472 May 1997. 432 00:24:37,309 --> 00:24:40,511 It's been six years since the collapse of the soviet union. 433 00:24:41,781 --> 00:24:44,314 But the crown jewel of its space program, 434 00:24:44,317 --> 00:24:47,685 The mir space station, still orbits the earth. 435 00:24:51,991 --> 00:24:54,658 The mir was designed to last only five years. 436 00:24:57,095 --> 00:25:01,632 A decade later, it's already doubled its life expectancy. 437 00:25:01,700 --> 00:25:04,601 (dramatic music) 438 00:25:04,604 --> 00:25:06,003 Plagued by mold, 439 00:25:09,308 --> 00:25:12,409 Aging equipment and fire. 440 00:25:12,477 --> 00:25:15,379 Man: The fire was basically in this region here. 441 00:25:15,447 --> 00:25:17,915 With the flame shooting across this way. 442 00:25:19,952 --> 00:25:22,419 Narrator: The mir is beginning to feel its age. 443 00:25:25,157 --> 00:25:27,224 British-born michael foale is 444 00:25:27,292 --> 00:25:30,494 The lone nasa astronaut on board, 445 00:25:31,496 --> 00:25:33,697 Visiting for five months on a program 446 00:25:33,766 --> 00:25:36,066 To build a spirit of cooperation 447 00:25:36,134 --> 00:25:37,701 Between the u.S. And russia. 448 00:25:40,505 --> 00:25:43,774 Russian cosmonauts vasily tsibliev 449 00:25:43,842 --> 00:25:46,810 And aleksandr lazutkin are his hosts. 450 00:25:48,247 --> 00:25:50,981 Foale: So, I really felt that my job was just to be a good guest 451 00:25:51,049 --> 00:25:53,717 And go and do the american and european experiments 452 00:25:53,786 --> 00:25:56,887 And don't get in the way of the russian crew. 453 00:25:56,955 --> 00:25:59,256 Narrator: Six weeks into foale's visit, 454 00:25:59,325 --> 00:26:01,858 He notices commander tsibliev enable 455 00:26:01,861 --> 00:26:03,994 The manual docking system. 456 00:26:03,996 --> 00:26:05,495 Foale: I said, "what are you doing?" 457 00:26:05,564 --> 00:26:07,297 I was kind of just generally really excited and interested. 458 00:26:07,366 --> 00:26:08,699 I thought, "this looks cool. 459 00:26:08,767 --> 00:26:10,867 "well, we're gonna try manual docking 460 00:26:10,936 --> 00:26:13,070 "with the progress cargo ship." 461 00:26:13,138 --> 00:26:14,138 I said, "oh, really? 462 00:26:14,206 --> 00:26:16,006 "well, have you practiced this before?" 463 00:26:16,075 --> 00:26:19,142 And vasily said, "I have practiced it once with sasha 464 00:26:19,211 --> 00:26:22,546 "beside me at baikonor before we launched." 465 00:26:25,083 --> 00:26:26,950 Narrator: U.S. Crews train years 466 00:26:26,953 --> 00:26:28,619 Before using new procedures. 467 00:26:30,022 --> 00:26:32,289 To hear that his crewmate have trained once 468 00:26:32,291 --> 00:26:36,293 For a key maneuver is not what foale expects. 469 00:26:36,362 --> 00:26:38,929 Foale: I sort of remember saying to myself, 470 00:26:38,997 --> 00:26:41,231 "what kind of mess is this?" 471 00:26:41,299 --> 00:26:43,634 I thought, "this is not a good plan." 472 00:26:43,636 --> 00:26:46,403 (dramatic music) 473 00:26:47,239 --> 00:26:49,940 Narrator: June 25th, 1997. 474 00:26:51,109 --> 00:26:52,309 The day begins with the crew 475 00:26:52,378 --> 00:26:56,113 In good spirits ready for the docking. 476 00:26:58,050 --> 00:27:00,050 Foale: Vasily's all spruced up. 477 00:27:00,052 --> 00:27:02,586 Normally, we wear kind of these rather raggedy coveralls 478 00:27:02,588 --> 00:27:06,957 But he had his tv suit on, looking good. 479 00:27:07,025 --> 00:27:09,426 (dramatic music) 480 00:27:09,495 --> 00:27:11,128 Narrator: Moscow mission control plans 481 00:27:11,196 --> 00:27:13,464 To radio the crew shortly after docking. 482 00:27:15,834 --> 00:27:19,003 An attempt at manual docking failed earlier in the year. 483 00:27:20,839 --> 00:27:24,775 This time, the russians expect success. 484 00:27:26,212 --> 00:27:28,746 (rocket whooshing) 485 00:27:28,814 --> 00:27:32,449 The crew's target is a cargo ship called progress. 486 00:27:32,517 --> 00:27:35,919 It delivers supplies to the mir from earth every few months. 487 00:27:37,489 --> 00:27:39,623 Foale: The progress carries roughly 488 00:27:39,691 --> 00:27:41,392 Three or four tons of cargo, 489 00:27:42,627 --> 00:27:44,662 Quite impressive, weighs seven tons total. 490 00:27:45,531 --> 00:27:47,531 Narrator: Progress is an umanned ship. 491 00:27:49,301 --> 00:27:51,068 It doesn't need a crew to dock. 492 00:27:52,505 --> 00:27:55,172 Barry: The progress was designed to approach the space station 493 00:27:55,240 --> 00:27:57,941 And then its rendezvous and docking system would activate 494 00:27:58,009 --> 00:28:00,577 And it would acquire radio signals with the space station 495 00:28:00,645 --> 00:28:03,046 And it would maneuver itself to align itself up 496 00:28:03,115 --> 00:28:05,949 With the docking port and automatically dock. 497 00:28:06,017 --> 00:28:07,651 (dramatic music) 498 00:28:07,719 --> 00:28:09,686 Narrator: Docking two massive spaceships 499 00:28:09,755 --> 00:28:11,855 Without using radar is hard enough 500 00:28:12,958 --> 00:28:16,093 But as foale watches his crewmate set up for the task, 501 00:28:16,161 --> 00:28:19,229 He wonders if their equipment is even up for the job. 502 00:28:21,900 --> 00:28:24,001 Using only a small television screen 503 00:28:24,069 --> 00:28:26,369 To check the progress' position, 504 00:28:26,438 --> 00:28:28,706 Tsibliev must take remote control 505 00:28:28,774 --> 00:28:30,774 Of a fast-approaching cargo ship 506 00:28:32,944 --> 00:28:36,146 And steer it into the mir by hand. 507 00:28:39,418 --> 00:28:41,952 Foale: When you do manual flying 508 00:28:42,020 --> 00:28:43,720 Without radar from that distance, 509 00:28:43,789 --> 00:28:46,490 You have two very massive challenges. 510 00:28:46,558 --> 00:28:49,159 The first one is things go in curves 511 00:28:49,227 --> 00:28:51,328 When you go from that distance. 512 00:28:51,396 --> 00:28:55,132 Second, you have to know how fast you're going 513 00:28:55,200 --> 00:28:57,067 So that you can slow down 514 00:28:57,135 --> 00:29:00,437 In enough time because breaking is limited. 515 00:29:00,439 --> 00:29:03,173 (dramatic music) 516 00:29:05,143 --> 00:29:08,445 Narrator: The russian crew begins the maneuver. 517 00:29:08,447 --> 00:29:11,048 Foale watches anxiously nearby. 518 00:29:14,386 --> 00:29:17,454 Foale: I'm looking through this very, very small grimy window 519 00:29:19,525 --> 00:29:21,625 And I can't see the progress for anything. 520 00:29:22,961 --> 00:29:25,395 And I'm assuming that it's still a long way away. 521 00:29:27,032 --> 00:29:28,965 Then, I looked at the screen that vasily had 522 00:29:29,034 --> 00:29:31,769 And I could see the solar arrays were big. 523 00:29:33,538 --> 00:29:34,738 That means they're close. 524 00:29:36,542 --> 00:29:39,943 I could also see the solar arrays were getting bigger. 525 00:29:39,945 --> 00:29:41,178 That means we're fast. 526 00:29:43,215 --> 00:29:46,082 Narrator: Progress rapidly approaches. 527 00:29:46,085 --> 00:29:48,819 (dramatic music) 528 00:29:50,956 --> 00:29:53,690 By the time tsibliev activates the braking thrusters 529 00:29:55,161 --> 00:29:57,094 It's already too late. 530 00:30:01,967 --> 00:30:04,234 (dramatic music) 531 00:30:04,236 --> 00:30:06,403 240 miles above the earth, 532 00:30:08,139 --> 00:30:10,507 Astronauts aboard the mir space station 533 00:30:10,576 --> 00:30:12,543 Brace themselves for catastrophe. 534 00:30:16,681 --> 00:30:17,781 Seconds later, 535 00:30:19,851 --> 00:30:22,252 They feel a jolt as the mir collides 536 00:30:22,254 --> 00:30:24,888 With a seven-ton unmanned cargo ship. 537 00:30:26,125 --> 00:30:27,858 Foale: A couple of seconds went by and I thought, 538 00:30:27,926 --> 00:30:29,593 "well, it hasn't broken yet." 539 00:30:30,662 --> 00:30:32,663 And then, my ears started to pop, go psh. 540 00:30:36,034 --> 00:30:38,802 And then the siren goes off. 541 00:30:38,870 --> 00:30:40,537 (alarm blaring) 542 00:30:40,539 --> 00:30:42,105 Narrator: The pop and the siren mean 543 00:30:42,173 --> 00:30:44,374 The impact has punctured the station. 544 00:30:47,245 --> 00:30:50,347 Foale soon notices a hissing sound too. 545 00:30:50,415 --> 00:30:53,717 The pressurized air he relies on to breathe 546 00:30:53,719 --> 00:30:55,552 Is leaking out into space. 547 00:30:57,623 --> 00:30:59,856 Foale: And I think, "oh maybe this is it. 548 00:30:59,925 --> 00:31:02,559 "maybe this is where I'm going to die." 549 00:31:02,628 --> 00:31:05,629 Narrator: The astronauts' only hope is to locate the leak 550 00:31:05,631 --> 00:31:08,665 In the mir's vast and confusing frame. 551 00:31:09,634 --> 00:31:12,369 They have less than 30 minutes to seal the hole 552 00:31:13,438 --> 00:31:15,505 Or risk a terrible death. 553 00:31:18,444 --> 00:31:21,444 Foale: I'm feeling the heat of my body leave me 554 00:31:21,513 --> 00:31:26,450 And go out the window, literally to space, I suddenly think, 555 00:31:27,419 --> 00:31:32,356 "oh, this is a cold, hard, dangerous uncaring universe. 556 00:31:33,458 --> 00:31:34,424 "and the only people 557 00:31:35,493 --> 00:31:37,193 "who are gonna help us right now, are us. 558 00:31:37,262 --> 00:31:38,228 "no one else." 559 00:31:41,266 --> 00:31:44,234 Narrator: Tsibliev radios moscow to share the bad news. 560 00:31:47,005 --> 00:31:49,806 Controllers on the ground order him to stay on the line 561 00:31:49,875 --> 00:31:51,575 To report the falling pressure. 562 00:31:54,079 --> 00:31:56,713 Lazutkin works feverishly to seal off the part 563 00:31:56,781 --> 00:31:59,216 Of the station that he suspects has the leak. 564 00:32:00,419 --> 00:32:02,619 Foale quickly joins in with the effort. 565 00:32:03,822 --> 00:32:06,489 The two astronauts grab a nearby hatch, 566 00:32:06,492 --> 00:32:10,260 And press it closed to seal off the damaged part of the mir. 567 00:32:12,530 --> 00:32:13,830 Foale: It just sucked in. 568 00:32:13,898 --> 00:32:15,699 And at that point, I waited to see 569 00:32:15,701 --> 00:32:17,567 If my ears were gonna stop popping 570 00:32:17,569 --> 00:32:18,969 And they seemed to stop popping. 571 00:32:18,971 --> 00:32:21,705 I went, "oh, I guess we've stopped most of the leak." 572 00:32:23,041 --> 00:32:24,775 (dramatic music) 573 00:32:24,843 --> 00:32:26,376 Narrator: For the next five weeks, 574 00:32:26,445 --> 00:32:28,611 Foale and the two russians struggle 575 00:32:28,680 --> 00:32:30,213 With the aging space station. 576 00:32:32,150 --> 00:32:35,152 Finally, they get word from the ground, 577 00:32:36,388 --> 00:32:39,056 It's time for the two cosmonauts to be replaced. 578 00:32:40,258 --> 00:32:41,858 Foale will stay on the station 579 00:32:41,860 --> 00:32:43,794 And work with the next russian crew. 580 00:32:45,764 --> 00:32:47,430 (dramatic music) 581 00:32:47,499 --> 00:32:50,767 Two months later, it's time for foale to leave too. 582 00:32:53,772 --> 00:32:56,573 The mir manages to limp through five more missions. 583 00:32:57,543 --> 00:33:01,444 In 2001, the russians decommission it. 584 00:33:01,447 --> 00:33:03,313 Barry: It was a constant problem 585 00:33:03,382 --> 00:33:05,048 Of chasing one problem after another. 586 00:33:05,116 --> 00:33:06,549 At some point you wonder, 587 00:33:06,552 --> 00:33:09,319 Is it really worth spending the money to keep this going? 588 00:33:09,387 --> 00:33:11,688 Narrator: As the mir makes its grand exit, 589 00:33:11,756 --> 00:33:14,557 The newest chapter in space exploration 590 00:33:14,560 --> 00:33:16,994 Is already being built in its place. 591 00:33:19,631 --> 00:33:21,164 (dramatic music) 592 00:33:21,232 --> 00:33:23,367 In the early 1990s, 593 00:33:23,435 --> 00:33:25,368 The international community begins work 594 00:33:25,371 --> 00:33:29,072 On the jointly-owned modular international space station. 595 00:33:30,576 --> 00:33:34,711 Piece by piece a new structure takes shape, 596 00:33:34,780 --> 00:33:37,180 But not without growing pains. 597 00:33:40,319 --> 00:33:44,020 February 7th 2001. 598 00:33:44,089 --> 00:33:47,624 The crew of sts-98 atlantis prepares 599 00:33:47,692 --> 00:33:51,995 For the 21st century's first human spaceflight launch. 600 00:33:52,063 --> 00:33:55,832 Sts-98 is like nasa's big grand opening 601 00:33:56,734 --> 00:33:57,934 For the international space station, 602 00:33:58,003 --> 00:34:01,838 They're delivering their flagship laboratory,. 603 00:34:01,906 --> 00:34:03,407 Man: Go for main engine start. 604 00:34:03,475 --> 00:34:05,108 Four, three-- 605 00:34:05,177 --> 00:34:07,911 Narrator: The crew takes off from kennedy space center, 606 00:34:09,047 --> 00:34:11,214 Man: And liftoff of space shuttle atlantis 607 00:34:11,282 --> 00:34:15,152 With destiny, the science laboratory for the 21st century. 608 00:34:15,220 --> 00:34:16,753 Narrator: With the weight of nasa's future 609 00:34:16,755 --> 00:34:18,722 Resting heavily on their shoulders. 610 00:34:20,625 --> 00:34:21,791 Malik: Everything had to go right 611 00:34:21,860 --> 00:34:23,393 Because all the other modules 612 00:34:23,395 --> 00:34:25,895 That nasa wanted to set up were going to extend 613 00:34:25,964 --> 00:34:27,730 Away from this module. 614 00:34:27,733 --> 00:34:28,698 (dramatic music) 615 00:34:28,766 --> 00:34:30,067 Narrator: February 10th. 616 00:34:31,069 --> 00:34:32,969 Man: Contact and capture confirmed. 617 00:34:33,037 --> 00:34:35,038 Narrator: Three days after launch, 618 00:34:35,107 --> 00:34:36,973 Atlantis is docked with the station. 619 00:34:38,010 --> 00:34:39,443 Onboard the shuttle, 620 00:34:39,511 --> 00:34:41,711 The crew gets ready for the big install. 621 00:34:43,215 --> 00:34:46,416 Marsha ivins will control the shuttle's robotic arm. 622 00:34:48,253 --> 00:34:51,855 Robert curbeam and tom jones will do the space walk 623 00:34:51,857 --> 00:34:53,123 To hook up destiny. 624 00:34:55,627 --> 00:34:58,094 Mark polansky gets them suited up. 625 00:34:58,163 --> 00:35:01,030 Polansky: My job was to be a little bit of a choreographer 626 00:35:01,099 --> 00:35:03,900 And a director for the folks outside 627 00:35:03,902 --> 00:35:07,737 To help them along their way and run through procedures. 628 00:35:07,806 --> 00:35:10,773 Narrator: Curbeam and jones head out of the airlock. 629 00:35:10,842 --> 00:35:12,676 Jones: Hey, I think it's a great day 630 00:35:12,744 --> 00:35:13,944 To go and do a spacewalk! 631 00:35:15,581 --> 00:35:17,080 Narrator: Ivins must lift destiny 632 00:35:17,149 --> 00:35:19,482 Out of the shuttle's payload bay. 633 00:35:19,551 --> 00:35:21,851 Polansky: It was a really big, big module. 634 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:24,521 And they probably had about that much room 635 00:35:24,589 --> 00:35:27,624 On either side of the lab to the wall of the shuttle. 636 00:35:30,461 --> 00:35:33,897 Ivins: Okay, how much room did I give myself there? 637 00:35:33,965 --> 00:35:35,298 Polansky: Maybe a quarter inch. 638 00:35:35,366 --> 00:35:36,967 Ivins: I'm gonna give it a bit more. 639 00:35:37,035 --> 00:35:40,170 Polansky: Marsha had to be really, really, really careful 640 00:35:40,172 --> 00:35:41,337 That as she pulled this thing, 641 00:35:41,406 --> 00:35:43,907 She did not impart any kind of a force 642 00:35:43,909 --> 00:35:46,309 That would either take it sideways to the wall 643 00:35:46,311 --> 00:35:49,179 Where it would hit before she could correct it. 644 00:35:49,247 --> 00:35:50,680 That would've been disastrous. 645 00:35:53,051 --> 00:35:56,052 Narrator: Ivins steers 32,000 pound destiny 646 00:35:56,054 --> 00:35:57,287 Out into space, 647 00:35:59,524 --> 00:36:01,958 Flips it 180 degrees 648 00:36:05,163 --> 00:36:07,864 And eases it towards the station. 649 00:36:07,932 --> 00:36:09,633 Malik: And then the two astronauts 650 00:36:09,701 --> 00:36:11,001 Were out there spacewalking 651 00:36:11,069 --> 00:36:13,136 To hookup all of the little plugs, 652 00:36:13,205 --> 00:36:15,805 The cooling lines, the power systems. 653 00:36:15,874 --> 00:36:17,140 Narrator: It falls to curbeam 654 00:36:17,142 --> 00:36:18,909 To connect the coolant lines. 655 00:36:23,014 --> 00:36:24,114 Curbeam: Come and do the fluids. 656 00:36:26,084 --> 00:36:27,550 Narrator: These supply the module 657 00:36:27,619 --> 00:36:30,353 With pure liquid ammonia, 658 00:36:30,422 --> 00:36:33,256 A crucial element in maintaining it's temperature. 659 00:36:35,593 --> 00:36:37,794 As he watches the astronauts work, 660 00:36:37,862 --> 00:36:41,064 Polansky's attention is caught by something odd. 661 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:43,399 Polansky: The next thing I heard, 662 00:36:43,468 --> 00:36:46,769 Was somebody making the comment that it was snowing outside. 663 00:36:46,772 --> 00:36:48,905 Well, we don't have weather up there, 664 00:36:48,907 --> 00:36:51,841 So that got us a one of those, 665 00:36:51,910 --> 00:36:55,044 "wait a second, did he say it was snowing outside?" 666 00:36:55,047 --> 00:36:56,713 And just looking out the window 667 00:36:56,781 --> 00:36:59,482 I was able to see what looked like snow. 668 00:37:01,853 --> 00:37:03,553 Narrator: An icy jet of ammonia sprays out 669 00:37:03,621 --> 00:37:05,989 Of the coolant line and onto curbeam. 670 00:37:08,559 --> 00:37:09,893 Curbeam: I got a little bit of ammonia 671 00:37:09,961 --> 00:37:12,395 Coming out of there, some ice crystals. 672 00:37:13,732 --> 00:37:14,998 I'm getting a lot of ice. 673 00:37:16,601 --> 00:37:19,336 I got ammonia all over the place. 674 00:37:19,404 --> 00:37:22,239 Narrator: A coolant leak could be a major disaster. 675 00:37:23,275 --> 00:37:25,875 Without the ammonia to cool its systems, 676 00:37:25,944 --> 00:37:29,079 Nasa's brand new research laboratory won't work. 677 00:37:30,816 --> 00:37:35,218 Inside the shuttle, the crew anxiously looks on. 678 00:37:35,220 --> 00:37:38,021 Polansky: You sit there and you go, oh my god. 679 00:37:38,089 --> 00:37:40,790 The coolant in this line has half the coolant 680 00:37:40,858 --> 00:37:41,958 Of the entire laboratory. 681 00:37:42,026 --> 00:37:44,294 So if we leak out all of this ammonia, 682 00:37:44,362 --> 00:37:46,630 That would make that section pretty much dead. 683 00:37:48,833 --> 00:37:51,567 (dramatic music) (computer beeping) 684 00:37:51,636 --> 00:37:53,970 Narrator: Over 200 miles from earth, 685 00:37:54,039 --> 00:37:57,907 The destiny laboratory loses ammonia coolant fast. 686 00:37:59,143 --> 00:38:01,611 If the crew can't plug the leak soon, 687 00:38:01,679 --> 00:38:04,047 They'll deliver a billion dollar lemon. 688 00:38:07,119 --> 00:38:08,584 Polansky: Houston atlantis do you copy? 689 00:38:08,587 --> 00:38:12,689 We're having a hard time getting f1 off with the leak on f3. 690 00:38:12,757 --> 00:38:15,325 Man: Stand by we're discussing the next steps 691 00:38:15,393 --> 00:38:16,259 That we need to do. 692 00:38:17,696 --> 00:38:20,096 Narrator: It's up to astronaut robert curbeam 693 00:38:20,164 --> 00:38:21,965 To stop the fast-moving flow. 694 00:38:23,134 --> 00:38:25,201 Curbeam: We gotta get that m1 closed off. 695 00:38:26,404 --> 00:38:29,439 Narrator: Curbeam lunges for the shut-off bar, 696 00:38:29,507 --> 00:38:31,674 Hoping he's not too late. 697 00:38:31,743 --> 00:38:33,209 Polansky: Beamer needed to get it just to the right place 698 00:38:33,277 --> 00:38:34,877 Where he'd get to go ahead and move it 699 00:38:34,880 --> 00:38:36,713 To the rest of the way to lock the line off. 700 00:38:38,383 --> 00:38:39,515 You just pulled the bail? 701 00:38:39,584 --> 00:38:43,519 Curbeam: Yeah, and that stopped the leak. 702 00:38:43,588 --> 00:38:44,854 Narrator: He's just in time 703 00:38:44,922 --> 00:38:47,090 To stop the flow to the leaking valve. 704 00:38:49,193 --> 00:38:52,529 The last of the ammonia drifts off into space. 705 00:38:54,365 --> 00:38:55,932 Polansky: That was a major relief, 706 00:38:56,000 --> 00:38:58,234 But the residual though is that 707 00:38:58,236 --> 00:39:00,503 We do have ammonia crystals 708 00:39:00,572 --> 00:39:02,472 That have gotten on his suit. 709 00:39:03,641 --> 00:39:06,176 Narrator: Ammonia freezes in the vacuum of space 710 00:39:07,412 --> 00:39:09,879 But as a vapor it's highly toxic. 711 00:39:11,849 --> 00:39:13,583 Polansky: The ammonia itself is toxic 712 00:39:13,651 --> 00:39:15,985 If you were to breathe it in normal atmosphere. 713 00:39:16,054 --> 00:39:18,321 The ammonia vapor will burn the lining 714 00:39:18,389 --> 00:39:19,689 Of your mouth, your throat. 715 00:39:19,758 --> 00:39:21,290 It could burn your lungs. 716 00:39:21,359 --> 00:39:23,927 It's gonna do severe damage or cause death. 717 00:39:25,397 --> 00:39:28,398 Narrator: For now, curbeam is protected by his suit. 718 00:39:30,201 --> 00:39:33,103 But one step in the space station risks exposing the crew. 719 00:39:34,072 --> 00:39:37,107 Even the smallest drop could prove deadly. 720 00:39:38,210 --> 00:39:41,444 Polansky: We were concerned that if he carried the crystals 721 00:39:41,513 --> 00:39:44,414 On his suit as he comes back into the airlock 722 00:39:44,482 --> 00:39:47,550 To what extent might there be ammonia vapors 723 00:39:47,618 --> 00:39:50,420 That we're all gonna be exposed to in the shuttle? 724 00:39:50,488 --> 00:39:52,789 Because in space, you can't open the window 725 00:39:52,857 --> 00:39:55,325 To go ahead and vent all the excess air out there. 726 00:39:58,029 --> 00:40:00,263 Narrator: Curbeam has two choices. 727 00:40:00,331 --> 00:40:02,866 Find a way to decontaminate in space, 728 00:40:03,801 --> 00:40:06,035 Or risk exposing his crew 729 00:40:06,037 --> 00:40:08,071 To the potentially deadly chemical. 730 00:40:09,541 --> 00:40:12,909 Until they can come up with a fix, he's stranded. 731 00:40:15,847 --> 00:40:20,283 At mission control, the team scrambles for a solution. 732 00:40:20,351 --> 00:40:23,253 They need a way to decontaminate curbeam 733 00:40:23,321 --> 00:40:25,321 Without having him entering the station. 734 00:40:27,158 --> 00:40:30,460 Astronauts may not have many tools to work with, 735 00:40:30,462 --> 00:40:33,496 But they do have one thing, the sun. 736 00:40:34,599 --> 00:40:39,001 Man: Beamer, we'd kind of like you to hang out. 737 00:40:39,004 --> 00:40:41,671 Find a nice sunny spot and hang out. 738 00:40:41,673 --> 00:40:42,738 Polansly: The first thing 739 00:40:42,741 --> 00:40:45,508 That we were told to do was to have tom 740 00:40:45,576 --> 00:40:48,111 And beamer spend some extra time outside in space. 741 00:40:49,147 --> 00:40:50,346 We called it a bake out. 742 00:40:51,483 --> 00:40:52,882 Malik: The heat from the sun 743 00:40:52,884 --> 00:40:55,151 Hitting the ammonia will allow it 744 00:40:55,153 --> 00:40:57,353 To kind of just gas off. 745 00:40:57,421 --> 00:40:59,155 If you can imagine like kind of like you're sunbathing 746 00:40:59,224 --> 00:41:02,058 For a bit, except you're letting all of the crystals 747 00:41:02,126 --> 00:41:05,595 Of ammonia that have stuck to your suit just evaporate away. 748 00:41:09,166 --> 00:41:11,234 Narrator: Time passes in slow motion. 749 00:41:12,971 --> 00:41:16,473 Curbeam bakes in a solar sun bath around the earth. 750 00:41:20,979 --> 00:41:23,713 After 6 1/2 hours outside, 751 00:41:23,715 --> 00:41:25,915 Curbeam and jones open the airlock 752 00:41:27,084 --> 00:41:30,219 Still not certain if curbeam's suit has been purged 753 00:41:30,288 --> 00:41:31,454 Of the toxic chemical. 754 00:41:33,058 --> 00:41:36,058 Before they risk exposing the other astronauts, 755 00:41:36,127 --> 00:41:38,194 They take just one more step. 756 00:41:39,264 --> 00:41:41,764 Polansky: I went into the airlock with a damp towel 757 00:41:41,833 --> 00:41:43,065 And wiped him down 758 00:41:43,068 --> 00:41:45,168 So that it would be absorbed in the towel. 759 00:41:45,236 --> 00:41:48,271 And then we wrapped that up in a bag and threw it away 760 00:41:48,273 --> 00:41:49,472 In a portion of the shuttle 761 00:41:49,474 --> 00:41:51,841 Where it was gonna come back down to the earth. 762 00:41:51,910 --> 00:41:53,342 (dramatic music) 763 00:41:53,411 --> 00:41:57,013 Narrator: With the astronauts safely back in the module, 764 00:41:57,081 --> 00:42:00,183 The ground team basks in the mission's success. 765 00:42:02,720 --> 00:42:04,921 Malik: While they weren't really expecting 766 00:42:04,989 --> 00:42:06,589 To have to have an ammonia leak, 767 00:42:06,657 --> 00:42:09,559 They were ready with the procedures and react to it. 768 00:42:09,627 --> 00:42:12,094 (dramatic music) 769 00:42:12,163 --> 00:42:13,162 Narrator: Destiny increases 770 00:42:13,230 --> 00:42:16,499 The crew's living space by 41%, 771 00:42:17,702 --> 00:42:22,171 Officially making the iss the biggest station in history. 772 00:42:24,042 --> 00:42:26,843 Malik: This is kind of their first big step 773 00:42:26,911 --> 00:42:28,778 To building a whole u.S. Segment 774 00:42:28,846 --> 00:42:30,947 Of the international space station to building out 775 00:42:31,015 --> 00:42:33,449 What is now the size of a five bedroom house. 776 00:42:33,517 --> 00:42:37,020 All of that grew from having this lab successfully in place. 777 00:42:38,756 --> 00:42:40,289 (dramatic music) 778 00:42:40,358 --> 00:42:43,426 Narrator: In 2014, making emergency fixes 779 00:42:43,428 --> 00:42:46,029 In space got a little easier. 780 00:42:48,333 --> 00:42:51,267 The international space station completed the first phase 781 00:42:51,269 --> 00:42:55,004 Of a new 3d printing experiment by making a tool 782 00:42:55,072 --> 00:42:57,006 With a design file transmitted 783 00:42:57,008 --> 00:42:59,075 From the ground to the printer. 784 00:43:01,178 --> 00:43:03,279 The tool was a ratchet wrench. 785 00:43:06,117 --> 00:43:09,118 But no matter what ingenious devices nasa comes up with, 786 00:43:10,422 --> 00:43:12,221 It's the men and women that use them 787 00:43:13,391 --> 00:43:15,024 Who really make the difference. 788 00:43:16,694 --> 00:43:18,961 Malik: There's always gonna be a need for quick thinking 789 00:43:19,030 --> 00:43:21,864 And human ingenuity in space. 790 00:43:21,932 --> 00:43:24,801 Narrator: Through humankind's attempts to conquer space, 791 00:43:26,104 --> 00:43:29,639 Space has always fought back. 792 00:43:29,707 --> 00:43:32,975 But with quick-thinking and a whole lot of training, 793 00:43:33,044 --> 00:43:35,144 Astronauts and mission control 794 00:43:35,212 --> 00:43:38,614 Have made some truly incredible fixes. 795 00:43:38,617 --> 00:43:39,949 Man: I think we'll be okay. 796 00:43:40,017 --> 00:43:41,651 Teitel: Things can go wrong in space pretty quickly, 797 00:43:41,719 --> 00:43:44,120 And get pretty dangerous really fast, 798 00:43:44,188 --> 00:43:45,855 They can fix anything on the fly. 799 00:43:47,125 --> 00:43:49,859 Narrator: Wherever space exploration takes us next, 800 00:43:51,629 --> 00:43:56,499 Astronauts will stay prepared for the next big fix.