1 00:00:00,634 --> 00:00:03,335 (dramatic music) 2 00:00:04,571 --> 00:00:05,938 Narrator: The way to space 3 00:00:07,541 --> 00:00:09,708 Leads through harsh environments 4 00:00:11,578 --> 00:00:15,748 Forcing astronauts to battle the elements at every turn. 5 00:00:17,051 --> 00:00:19,084 Barry: Mother nature is not to be messed with. 6 00:00:20,855 --> 00:00:23,489 Narrator: From violent storms below the atmosphere 7 00:00:25,258 --> 00:00:27,292 To man-made storms above. 8 00:00:28,529 --> 00:00:30,429 Polansky: It's a very unforgiving environment. 9 00:00:31,499 --> 00:00:35,467 Narrator: Now, witness the true power of nature in space. 10 00:00:37,204 --> 00:00:40,239 Malik: It was a near fatal dose of radiation. 11 00:00:41,442 --> 00:00:42,708 Narrator: And on earth. 12 00:00:43,944 --> 00:00:45,277 Teitel: This was a megastorm. 13 00:00:46,881 --> 00:00:49,014 Narrator: And meet the astronauts who challenged 14 00:00:49,016 --> 00:00:54,019 The weather in a place where weather usually wins. 15 00:00:55,689 --> 00:00:56,755 Kelly: The space station 16 00:00:56,824 --> 00:00:59,425 Would've just been basically vaporized. 17 00:01:04,231 --> 00:01:06,932 (dramatic music) 18 00:01:20,914 --> 00:01:23,549 Narrator: July 16, 2015. 19 00:01:25,785 --> 00:01:27,553 The international space station. 20 00:01:33,327 --> 00:01:36,161 From his perch in the station's cupola, 21 00:01:36,229 --> 00:01:40,332 Astronaut scott kelly looks down on storms brewing below. 22 00:01:43,770 --> 00:01:46,905 250 miles above the earth, 23 00:01:46,973 --> 00:01:49,541 He and russian cosmonauts gennady padalka 24 00:01:50,477 --> 00:01:54,813 And mikhail kornienko float safely above the fray. 25 00:01:57,350 --> 00:02:00,819 Little did they know a very different kind of storm 26 00:02:00,821 --> 00:02:02,321 Is brewing in earth's orbit 27 00:02:03,290 --> 00:02:05,324 And it's headed right for them. 28 00:02:08,028 --> 00:02:09,795 Mission control: Station, houston on two for scott. 29 00:02:11,398 --> 00:02:14,533 Narrator: Early that morning a voice from mission control 30 00:02:14,601 --> 00:02:17,569 Crackles to life over the station's radio. 31 00:02:18,505 --> 00:02:20,772 Mission control: Station, houston on two for scott. 32 00:02:21,575 --> 00:02:24,042 Kelly: We got a call from the control center. 33 00:02:24,111 --> 00:02:25,277 Mission control:Go ahead on two, jay. 34 00:02:26,246 --> 00:02:29,648 And they say they're privatizing the space to ground channel 35 00:02:29,716 --> 00:02:31,583 So people on the ground can't hear it. 36 00:02:32,920 --> 00:02:35,621 And I think this might be bad news. 37 00:02:37,791 --> 00:02:39,090 Narrator: Privatizing is a word 38 00:02:39,159 --> 00:02:41,093 No astronaut wants to hear. 39 00:02:42,629 --> 00:02:46,765 Calls are only moved to a private line when things go bad. 40 00:02:48,868 --> 00:02:51,270 The news today is dire. 41 00:02:54,074 --> 00:02:56,308 Kelly: They say, "hey we've got this dead satellite 42 00:02:56,376 --> 00:02:57,409 "that's coming at you." 43 00:02:57,477 --> 00:03:00,512 And we're susceptible to being hit. 44 00:03:01,081 --> 00:03:02,280 How about relative velocity? 45 00:03:02,349 --> 00:03:03,315 Any idea? 46 00:03:05,018 --> 00:03:08,019 Marschke: Closing velocity of 14 kilometers per second, 47 00:03:08,088 --> 00:03:08,854 One-four. 48 00:03:10,357 --> 00:03:11,123 Kelly: Copy. 49 00:03:12,960 --> 00:03:16,194 Marschke: It's 14 kilometers per second closing speed. 50 00:03:16,263 --> 00:03:18,496 That's what worst possible scenario. 51 00:03:18,499 --> 00:03:20,432 That's essentially a head-on collision. 52 00:03:22,636 --> 00:03:24,035 Narrator: The station's outer walls 53 00:03:24,104 --> 00:03:26,805 Are made of four inch kevlar and ceramic fabric 54 00:03:28,208 --> 00:03:30,375 Thick enough to stop small space trash 55 00:03:30,444 --> 00:03:32,110 From breaching the hull. 56 00:03:34,381 --> 00:03:36,782 But something the size of the satellite 57 00:03:36,850 --> 00:03:38,817 Could mean instant death. 58 00:03:40,320 --> 00:03:41,987 Massimino: We're traveling so fast in space, 59 00:03:42,055 --> 00:03:44,923 17,500 miles an hour in orbit 60 00:03:44,992 --> 00:03:47,059 That if you hit something going that fast, 61 00:03:47,994 --> 00:03:49,261 You're gonna know about it. 62 00:03:51,898 --> 00:03:54,132 Marschke: Something that's 10 centimeters or greater, 63 00:03:55,502 --> 00:03:57,636 If that hits a pressurized module, 64 00:03:58,805 --> 00:04:01,540 The likelihood we're talking about a catastrophic event. 65 00:04:07,647 --> 00:04:10,282 Narrator: Normally, nasa has plenty of time 66 00:04:10,350 --> 00:04:12,584 To adjust the station's location. 67 00:04:14,321 --> 00:04:15,621 Marschke: More often than not 68 00:04:15,689 --> 00:04:19,625 We'll have 12 hours or a day or two 69 00:04:19,693 --> 00:04:23,295 Notification in which case we would maneuver the iss 70 00:04:24,297 --> 00:04:26,665 To a different altitude to get out of the way 71 00:04:26,733 --> 00:04:29,668 Of the piece of debris that's coming at us. 72 00:04:34,207 --> 00:04:36,174 Narrator: But today the satellite 73 00:04:36,176 --> 00:04:38,010 Is just three hours away. 74 00:04:39,779 --> 00:04:42,547 Kelly: It was so late that the control center 75 00:04:42,615 --> 00:04:44,883 Couldn't move the space station out of the way. 76 00:04:46,987 --> 00:04:49,855 Marschke: They said, "it's gonna come inside our sphere fast. 77 00:04:50,124 --> 00:04:51,523 "and if it's gonna hit the station, 78 00:04:51,525 --> 00:04:53,625 "it's gonna be very bad, very bad." 79 00:04:55,262 --> 00:04:57,462 Narrator: Astronauts have no choice 80 00:04:57,530 --> 00:04:59,164 But to prepare for the worst. 81 00:05:00,401 --> 00:05:04,002 Marschke: If there's not enough time, which was this case, 82 00:05:04,070 --> 00:05:06,204 We're gonna shelter the crew in place. 83 00:05:07,941 --> 00:05:10,509 Narrator: Sheltering in place is no casual matter. 84 00:05:12,479 --> 00:05:14,279 This mission is just the fourth time 85 00:05:14,347 --> 00:05:17,783 In the station's history that nasa has made the call. 86 00:05:20,287 --> 00:05:22,487 Kelly: The theory behind sheltering in place 87 00:05:22,489 --> 00:05:24,389 Is that if you have to leave 88 00:05:24,457 --> 00:05:27,826 It's better to already be in your emergency lifeboat 89 00:05:27,894 --> 00:05:30,762 Than in another part of the space station. 90 00:05:34,100 --> 00:05:36,635 Narrator: That lifeboat is the soyuz escape ship. 91 00:05:38,571 --> 00:05:40,872 It's parked at the end of the iss. 92 00:05:42,643 --> 00:05:45,076 But before the astronauts can board, 93 00:05:45,145 --> 00:05:47,446 They must secure the station for impact. 94 00:05:48,949 --> 00:05:52,384 Marschke: The philosophy there is if a small piece of debris 95 00:05:52,452 --> 00:05:55,654 Were to hit one of the pressurized modules, 96 00:05:57,323 --> 00:06:01,093 Maybe we get lucky and only that module depressurizes. 97 00:06:03,263 --> 00:06:06,164 Massimino: A depress, a leak, that would be really bad, 98 00:06:06,232 --> 00:06:07,733 So you're very concerned about these things. 99 00:06:07,801 --> 00:06:08,667 It can cause a lot of damage. 100 00:06:11,271 --> 00:06:13,805 Narrator: Padalka and kornienko will close off 101 00:06:13,873 --> 00:06:15,073 The russian modules. 102 00:06:17,811 --> 00:06:20,545 Kelly must shut down the american section 103 00:06:20,614 --> 00:06:22,314 Entirely on his own. 104 00:06:23,484 --> 00:06:25,751 Marschke: He starts the farthest away from the soyuz 105 00:06:27,621 --> 00:06:30,121 And he works himself all the way back 106 00:06:30,190 --> 00:06:31,056 To the russian segment. 107 00:06:32,225 --> 00:06:34,860 Narrator: He has just an hour to get it done. 108 00:06:35,929 --> 00:06:37,629 Marschke: I know gennady was talking to moscow, 109 00:06:37,697 --> 00:06:40,098 But we'll get you what we have at the moment 110 00:06:40,166 --> 00:06:43,501 In preparation for you closing hatches. 111 00:06:43,570 --> 00:06:44,336 Kelly: Copy. 112 00:06:45,939 --> 00:06:48,540 Narrator: Kelly struggles to keep a cool head 113 00:06:48,608 --> 00:06:50,175 As he moves through the station. 114 00:06:51,111 --> 00:06:53,445 Kelly: You start focusing on your job 115 00:06:54,715 --> 00:06:58,516 And try to separate your actions and where your head is 116 00:06:58,585 --> 00:07:02,821 From the risk that this is potentially 117 00:07:02,889 --> 00:07:04,289 The last thing I might ever do. 118 00:07:06,226 --> 00:07:08,960 Narrator: His only consolation is that any impact 119 00:07:09,028 --> 00:07:10,762 Will mean a swift end. 120 00:07:13,032 --> 00:07:14,732 Kelly: If we would have been hit by something 121 00:07:14,735 --> 00:07:16,100 Going that fast and of that size, 122 00:07:16,103 --> 00:07:17,769 We would have never even known it. 123 00:07:21,541 --> 00:07:23,875 Narrator: 20 minutes before impact 124 00:07:23,943 --> 00:07:26,077 Kelly secures the last hatch. 125 00:07:28,481 --> 00:07:29,881 Marschke: Station, houston on two. 126 00:07:29,949 --> 00:07:32,217 Scott, that should close out step two. 127 00:07:32,285 --> 00:07:33,551 And then obviously you'll take 128 00:07:33,554 --> 00:07:35,053 Whatever actions are required. 129 00:07:37,957 --> 00:07:40,091 Narrator: The three men quickly head to 130 00:07:40,093 --> 00:07:41,493 The soyuz escape ship. 131 00:07:43,030 --> 00:07:45,697 (ominous music) 132 00:07:48,301 --> 00:07:51,536 Now they wait for the satellite to appear. 133 00:07:55,942 --> 00:07:57,609 Kelly: I notice misha was looking out the window. 134 00:07:59,246 --> 00:08:04,148 I say, "hey misha, this thing's going 35,000 miles an hour, 135 00:08:04,217 --> 00:08:06,918 "which is faster than a bullet from a rifle, 136 00:08:08,055 --> 00:08:10,589 "so you're not gonna see anything." 137 00:08:13,092 --> 00:08:15,593 Narrator: In moscow, russian mission control 138 00:08:15,596 --> 00:08:18,763 Readies the soyuz for emergency departure. 139 00:08:19,799 --> 00:08:22,667 (speaking russian) 140 00:08:30,076 --> 00:08:32,677 Narrator: In houston, flight controllers 141 00:08:32,679 --> 00:08:34,579 Monitor the satellite's progress. 142 00:08:35,815 --> 00:08:37,182 Mission control: Just under 3 minutes from now 143 00:08:37,250 --> 00:08:40,352 Is the tca or time of closest approach. 144 00:08:42,823 --> 00:08:45,590 Narrator: As the clock clicks closer to impact 145 00:08:45,658 --> 00:08:48,393 The mood in mission control grows somber. 146 00:08:50,063 --> 00:08:52,597 Marschke: Everybody in the room knows how serious it is. 147 00:08:54,067 --> 00:08:57,068 Silently, you say a prayer for the crew 148 00:08:57,136 --> 00:08:58,570 That things are gonna go well, 149 00:09:00,307 --> 00:09:01,673 But you focus on your job. 150 00:09:05,379 --> 00:09:06,678 Narrator: In the soyuz, 151 00:09:08,281 --> 00:09:11,082 The astronauts brace for a head-on collision. 152 00:09:14,053 --> 00:09:15,253 Mission control: We're just inside one minute 153 00:09:15,255 --> 00:09:16,922 From the time of closest approach. 154 00:09:18,758 --> 00:09:23,695 Kelly: You just think holy crap this could be it. 155 00:09:26,666 --> 00:09:29,367 (dramatic music) 156 00:09:38,077 --> 00:09:40,979 Narrator: Tucked in their soyuz escape ship, 157 00:09:41,047 --> 00:09:43,648 The crew of the international space station 158 00:09:43,716 --> 00:09:46,818 Prepares to be hit by a potentially lethal 159 00:09:46,886 --> 00:09:48,353 Piece of space debris. 160 00:09:50,623 --> 00:09:51,956 Kelly: When you're looking at your watch 161 00:09:51,959 --> 00:09:56,394 And you see the seconds ticking away, it's pretty tense. 162 00:10:02,502 --> 00:10:04,436 Narrator: In both houston and moscow, 163 00:10:06,139 --> 00:10:09,240 Flight controllers are glued to a feed of the station. 164 00:10:12,412 --> 00:10:15,981 At any moment the image could go dark. 165 00:10:27,327 --> 00:10:29,427 Kelly: It gets to the closest point of approach 166 00:10:37,404 --> 00:10:40,171 And then the control center comes up and says, 167 00:10:43,143 --> 00:10:45,377 "gennady ivanovich, it is safe." 168 00:10:46,513 --> 00:10:49,381 (speaking russian) 169 00:10:58,758 --> 00:11:02,360 Marschke: Once that time passes we all breathe a sign of relief 170 00:11:02,428 --> 00:11:04,896 And we tell the crew the time has passed. 171 00:11:07,967 --> 00:11:10,201 Narrator: The crew emerges from the soyuz. 172 00:11:13,039 --> 00:11:15,507 They live to see another day in space. 173 00:11:18,979 --> 00:11:21,246 As the satellite rockets into the void, 174 00:11:22,215 --> 00:11:25,116 Kelly realizes just how close the astronauts 175 00:11:25,118 --> 00:11:27,385 Came to certain death. 176 00:11:28,922 --> 00:11:33,725 Kelly: When it passed, it was within a mile, so pretty close. 177 00:11:35,195 --> 00:11:38,263 Too close for comfort actually. 178 00:11:40,667 --> 00:11:42,700 Narrator: Space flight forces astronauts 179 00:11:42,769 --> 00:11:45,503 To confront the unexpected every day. 180 00:11:49,209 --> 00:11:53,745 Both above the atmosphere and below. 181 00:11:55,314 --> 00:11:58,883 Each environment offers its own unique set of hurdles. 182 00:12:02,956 --> 00:12:06,858 In that late 1960s, nasa learns this the hard way. 183 00:12:10,897 --> 00:12:14,532 When the earth's own atmosphere proved more dangerous 184 00:12:14,601 --> 00:12:16,301 Than the vacuum of space. 185 00:12:22,509 --> 00:12:24,776 (cheering) 186 00:12:26,312 --> 00:12:29,214 July 20, 1969. 187 00:12:31,484 --> 00:12:32,650 Mission control: Beautiful view. 188 00:12:32,652 --> 00:12:34,185 Aldrin: Isn't that something? 189 00:12:34,254 --> 00:12:36,254 Magnificent sight out here. 190 00:12:36,256 --> 00:12:38,456 Narrator: Apollo 11 astronauts buzz aldrin 191 00:12:38,524 --> 00:12:43,327 And neil armstrong take humankind's first steps 192 00:12:43,330 --> 00:12:44,996 On an alien landscape. 193 00:12:49,101 --> 00:12:51,602 Nearly 22 hours later the triumphant crew 194 00:12:51,605 --> 00:12:53,705 Begins the three day journey home. 195 00:12:56,243 --> 00:12:58,977 (dramatic music) 196 00:13:00,580 --> 00:13:02,613 Plans called for the astronauts to land 197 00:13:02,682 --> 00:13:05,316 1,000 miles off the coast of hawaii. 198 00:13:08,487 --> 00:13:10,955 The uss hornet aircraft carrier 199 00:13:11,024 --> 00:13:12,590 Is on its way to retrieve them. 200 00:13:13,893 --> 00:13:17,228 Teitel: The splashdown site is planned almost from the moment 201 00:13:17,230 --> 00:13:19,230 That the mission planning begins. 202 00:13:20,733 --> 00:13:22,667 Based on the launch point 203 00:13:22,735 --> 00:13:25,103 And the moment they leave the moon, 204 00:13:25,171 --> 00:13:27,405 They can calculate exactly where 205 00:13:27,407 --> 00:13:28,873 The mission will splash down. 206 00:13:30,610 --> 00:13:33,177 Aldrin: Hey, charlie, what's the preliminary outlook 207 00:13:33,246 --> 00:13:35,079 For the weather in our recovery area? 208 00:13:35,147 --> 00:13:37,381 Narrator: Mission control expects clear skies 209 00:13:37,384 --> 00:13:39,217 At the landing site. 210 00:13:39,285 --> 00:13:40,718 Mission control: It looks pretty good 211 00:13:40,787 --> 00:13:42,187 As far as I can tell. 212 00:13:42,255 --> 00:13:43,788 There's a few clouds shown on the weather map 213 00:13:43,857 --> 00:13:47,659 I'm looking at here, but nothing of significance. 214 00:13:49,695 --> 00:13:53,231 Narrator: Little did they know mother nature 215 00:13:53,299 --> 00:13:54,666 Has something brewing. 216 00:14:00,340 --> 00:14:03,641 Hickam air force base, honolulu, hawaii. 217 00:14:05,879 --> 00:14:09,513 Meteorologists in the c.I.A.'s corona program 218 00:14:09,582 --> 00:14:14,018 Track an ultra-classified satellite called 417. 219 00:14:15,688 --> 00:14:17,822 Teitel: These satellites tracked worldwide weather, 220 00:14:17,824 --> 00:14:20,091 Specifically looking at weather over china 221 00:14:20,093 --> 00:14:21,426 And the soviet union. 222 00:14:23,563 --> 00:14:26,097 If the u.S. Air force knew ahead of time 223 00:14:26,165 --> 00:14:29,033 When there would be a break in the clouds, 224 00:14:29,102 --> 00:14:31,769 It could turn on the cameras on a corona satellite 225 00:14:35,308 --> 00:14:37,441 And take pictures of missile establishments 226 00:14:37,444 --> 00:14:38,543 In those countries. 227 00:14:41,580 --> 00:14:42,847 Narrator: Three days before apollo 11's 228 00:14:42,915 --> 00:14:46,884 Scheduled splashdown a captain in the corona program 229 00:14:46,953 --> 00:14:49,654 Looks through 417's most recent photos. 230 00:14:52,292 --> 00:14:56,060 What he sees makes his blood run cold. 231 00:14:56,128 --> 00:14:59,597 Teitel: He saw a massive storm brewing over the area 232 00:14:59,599 --> 00:15:02,200 That apollo 11 would be splashing down. 233 00:15:03,536 --> 00:15:06,237 This wasn't just a storm or bad weather, 234 00:15:06,305 --> 00:15:07,906 This was a mega storm. 235 00:15:13,213 --> 00:15:15,179 If apollo 11 had to fall through it 236 00:15:15,247 --> 00:15:17,081 And they deployed their parachutes, 237 00:15:17,083 --> 00:15:19,183 They'd be ripped to shreds. 238 00:15:24,724 --> 00:15:26,657 (dramatic music) 239 00:15:26,726 --> 00:15:29,427 Narrator: The mega storm means mega trouble. 240 00:15:30,597 --> 00:15:34,932 Meteorologists call its cloud patterns screaming eagles. 241 00:15:35,001 --> 00:15:37,168 For their sharp bird-like shapes. 242 00:15:40,674 --> 00:15:44,609 The high altitude funnels tower to 50,000 feet 243 00:15:44,677 --> 00:15:47,245 With fierce typhoon like winds. 244 00:15:48,381 --> 00:15:50,181 Teitel: They recognized immediately 245 00:15:50,249 --> 00:15:52,617 How dangerous this would be. 246 00:15:52,685 --> 00:15:54,252 They had to tell nasa. 247 00:15:55,722 --> 00:15:57,188 Narrator: The only problem? 248 00:15:58,591 --> 00:16:01,392 The corona program is top secret. 249 00:16:02,795 --> 00:16:05,997 Barry: The military weather people saw the storm coming, 250 00:16:06,599 --> 00:16:08,700 But they weren't supposed to tell anybody about this 251 00:16:08,768 --> 00:16:11,135 Because the data they had was classified. 252 00:16:11,204 --> 00:16:13,471 So they couldn't just pick up the phone and call nasa. 253 00:16:14,440 --> 00:16:16,040 Narrator: It's a dangerous situation. 254 00:16:18,911 --> 00:16:21,645 High above the earth the three american astronauts 255 00:16:21,714 --> 00:16:23,414 Begin the journey back home. 256 00:16:27,686 --> 00:16:29,420 They're just hours from storm that threatens 257 00:16:29,422 --> 00:16:34,425 To turn apollo 11 from triumph to tragedy. 258 00:16:41,234 --> 00:16:45,103 Aldrin: Apollo 11, houston, do you copy? Over. 259 00:16:46,172 --> 00:16:49,173 Narrator: The apollo 11 crew blazes back to earth 260 00:16:49,175 --> 00:16:50,942 At 6,000 miles per hour. 261 00:16:54,647 --> 00:16:58,516 At hickam air force base air force meteorologists 262 00:16:58,584 --> 00:17:03,187 In a top secret spy program know something nasa doesn't. 263 00:17:05,591 --> 00:17:08,726 Mother nature plans to greet the three american heroes 264 00:17:08,794 --> 00:17:11,662 With a powerful storm. 265 00:17:11,730 --> 00:17:13,164 Barry: There were folks in the military who were looking 266 00:17:13,232 --> 00:17:14,932 At where the apollo 11 landing site was 267 00:17:15,000 --> 00:17:16,000 And knew that there was a typhoon 268 00:17:16,069 --> 00:17:17,435 Heading that way at about the time 269 00:17:17,503 --> 00:17:19,003 The crew was gonna be there. 270 00:17:20,172 --> 00:17:21,472 (dramatic music) 271 00:17:21,474 --> 00:17:23,207 Narrator: Air force meteorologists have no choice 272 00:17:23,209 --> 00:17:26,243 But to break rank. 273 00:17:26,312 --> 00:17:28,779 Sitting on the classified intelligence 274 00:17:28,848 --> 00:17:31,349 Could prove to be a national disaster. 275 00:17:32,718 --> 00:17:36,120 Barry: They managed to find a way to discretely tell nasa, 276 00:17:36,188 --> 00:17:38,522 That "we can't tell you how we know this, 277 00:17:38,591 --> 00:17:40,558 "but there's this weather storm coming 278 00:17:40,626 --> 00:17:41,659 "and you might want to move 279 00:17:41,727 --> 00:17:43,294 "the splashdown site for apollo 11." 280 00:17:49,502 --> 00:17:52,103 Narrator: The navy reluctantly agrees to the plan. 281 00:17:53,139 --> 00:17:55,706 It's far too risky to turn a blind eye. 282 00:17:57,176 --> 00:17:58,976 Teitel: Two men had just landed on the moon 283 00:17:59,045 --> 00:18:00,645 For the very first time. 284 00:18:01,914 --> 00:18:06,317 To have everything on the dangerous mission work perfectly 285 00:18:06,319 --> 00:18:09,820 And then die in a regular storm on earth, 286 00:18:09,889 --> 00:18:12,757 Would just be the worst way to end this mission. 287 00:18:14,894 --> 00:18:16,460 Narrator: With just 24 hours remaining, 288 00:18:16,463 --> 00:18:20,197 Mission control scrambles redirecting the hornet 289 00:18:20,200 --> 00:18:23,868 To a splashdown site 250 miles away. 290 00:18:25,605 --> 00:18:27,939 Barry: The question is could nasa adjust in enough time 291 00:18:28,007 --> 00:18:30,108 To make sure the fleet was in the right spot. 292 00:18:31,945 --> 00:18:33,177 Duke: Apollo 11, houston. 293 00:18:33,245 --> 00:18:36,747 Some last minute updates here. 294 00:18:36,749 --> 00:18:41,785 The weather is clobbering in at our targeted landing point, 295 00:18:41,854 --> 00:18:44,722 So we're going to move you, over. 296 00:18:46,325 --> 00:18:47,125 Collins: Roger. 297 00:18:53,732 --> 00:18:54,932 Narrator: On July 24th, 298 00:18:57,970 --> 00:19:00,438 Apollo 11 bursts through the atmosphere. 299 00:19:04,777 --> 00:19:06,444 As its parachutes deploy, 300 00:19:07,613 --> 00:19:11,149 The crew is met with clear skies and a calm sea. 301 00:19:14,420 --> 00:19:17,588 President nixon waits onboard the u.S.S. Hornet 302 00:19:17,657 --> 00:19:19,891 To welcome the astronauts back to earth. 303 00:19:27,400 --> 00:19:29,967 Few people know just how close the crew came 304 00:19:30,035 --> 00:19:31,536 To a watery grave. 305 00:19:33,472 --> 00:19:36,741 (cheering and clapping) 306 00:19:37,910 --> 00:19:40,444 The near-disaster provides a sobering lesson. 307 00:19:42,448 --> 00:19:45,650 Nasa engineers may be able to challenge the laws of physics, 308 00:19:47,086 --> 00:19:50,821 But nature will always be there to flex her muscles. 309 00:19:53,159 --> 00:19:55,226 Barry: Mother nature is not to be messed with. 310 00:19:55,228 --> 00:19:58,662 Weather can impinge on space operations 311 00:19:58,731 --> 00:20:00,398 In lots and lots of different ways. 312 00:20:01,800 --> 00:20:04,969 Narrator: In just four months the american 313 00:20:04,971 --> 00:20:07,405 Space program will be tested by nature once more. 314 00:20:08,841 --> 00:20:13,244 Only this time, nasa refuses to heed the warning signs. 315 00:20:20,686 --> 00:20:23,688 November 14, 1969. 316 00:20:24,590 --> 00:20:26,991 Pao: The prime crew for the mission 317 00:20:27,059 --> 00:20:28,226 Finishing up their suit checks. 318 00:20:29,662 --> 00:20:31,529 Narrator: The crew of apollo 12 heads for 319 00:20:31,597 --> 00:20:33,998 Their launchpad under stormy skies. 320 00:20:37,202 --> 00:20:41,672 Astronauts pete conrad, dick gordon, and alan bean 321 00:20:41,741 --> 00:20:44,709 Hope to become the second crew to step foot on the moon. 322 00:20:47,146 --> 00:20:49,247 Teitel: Even though nasa had already landed on the moon 323 00:20:49,315 --> 00:20:51,916 With apollo 11, the stakes were still high. 324 00:20:54,620 --> 00:20:56,687 The agency had to prove that it was not 325 00:20:56,755 --> 00:20:57,955 Just a one trick pony. 326 00:20:59,825 --> 00:21:02,760 (dramatic music) 327 00:21:02,762 --> 00:21:06,030 Narrator: For the first time in nasa's history, 328 00:21:06,098 --> 00:21:09,233 A thick layer of rain clouds hangs over the launch site. 329 00:21:13,572 --> 00:21:16,073 Kluger: It was not a good day to fly to the moon. 330 00:21:18,277 --> 00:21:21,545 It was rainy, the cloud cover was low. 331 00:21:23,316 --> 00:21:25,716 It's by no means ideal. 332 00:21:25,718 --> 00:21:26,784 Launch radio: This weather front 333 00:21:26,852 --> 00:21:28,252 Does have some heavy rain 334 00:21:28,254 --> 00:21:30,655 And a little bit of lightning has been noted. 335 00:21:31,657 --> 00:21:34,091 We hope to have them off in time to avoid 336 00:21:34,159 --> 00:21:35,826 Any difficulties with weather. 337 00:21:38,964 --> 00:21:41,065 Kluger: They said spacecraft is going to be above 338 00:21:41,133 --> 00:21:42,933 The cloud bank within a few seconds of flight. 339 00:21:42,935 --> 00:21:46,270 So all it's going to do is get a little wet. 340 00:21:48,808 --> 00:21:50,341 But once it's above the cloud bank, 341 00:21:50,343 --> 00:21:53,811 You're out of danger and you're on your way to the moon. 342 00:21:53,879 --> 00:21:57,181 Launch radio: 10, nine, eight, ignition sequence start, 343 00:21:57,249 --> 00:22:01,619 Six, five, four, three, two, one. 344 00:22:02,821 --> 00:22:06,023 Narrator: At 11:23 am. 345 00:22:06,025 --> 00:22:07,691 Launch radio: Lift off, we have lift off! 346 00:22:07,760 --> 00:22:11,161 Narrator: Apollo 12 launches right on time. 347 00:22:11,230 --> 00:22:13,898 (rocket roaring) 348 00:22:15,100 --> 00:22:17,234 The crowds cheer as the giant 349 00:22:17,303 --> 00:22:19,870 Saturn v rocket blasts upwards. 350 00:22:21,173 --> 00:22:22,506 Conrad: Roger, clear the tower. 351 00:22:22,574 --> 00:22:23,374 I got a pitch and roll program, 352 00:22:23,442 --> 00:22:24,942 And this baby is really going! 353 00:22:25,010 --> 00:22:26,177 Cap com: Roger, pete. 354 00:22:28,847 --> 00:22:30,047 Conrad: It's a lovely lift-off. 355 00:22:30,049 --> 00:22:31,048 It's not bad at all. 356 00:22:32,618 --> 00:22:37,388 Kluger: Suddenly everything went mad. 357 00:22:37,456 --> 00:22:39,223 (thunder clapping) 358 00:22:39,291 --> 00:22:40,157 Gordon: What the hell was that? 359 00:22:41,994 --> 00:22:43,594 I lost a whole bunch of stuff, I don't know. 360 00:22:43,662 --> 00:22:45,796 Conrad: Mark one roll. 361 00:22:45,864 --> 00:22:47,197 Kluger: Everything on the instrument panel 362 00:22:47,200 --> 00:22:49,800 Seemed to drop out. 363 00:22:49,802 --> 00:22:51,435 Barry: About every warning light in the cockpit came on 364 00:22:51,503 --> 00:22:53,938 Because just about everything was dead. 365 00:22:55,208 --> 00:22:57,241 Conrad: Okay, we just lost the platform, gang. 366 00:22:57,309 --> 00:22:58,442 I don't know what happened here. 367 00:22:58,511 --> 00:23:00,043 We had everything in the world drop out. 368 00:23:00,112 --> 00:23:01,145 Mission control: Roger. 369 00:23:03,416 --> 00:23:06,850 Narrator: Mission control doesn't know what happened, 370 00:23:06,919 --> 00:23:10,054 But they do know they're facing a major disaster. 371 00:23:11,323 --> 00:23:13,824 Teitel: At this point, the crew's data in the spacecraft 372 00:23:13,826 --> 00:23:15,092 Is complete gibberish, 373 00:23:16,229 --> 00:23:18,262 And that's mirrored in mission control. 374 00:23:22,434 --> 00:23:25,402 Narrator: 50 seconds after the first alert for trouble, 375 00:23:25,471 --> 00:23:27,972 A young flight controller suddenly speaks up 376 00:23:28,040 --> 00:23:29,407 From the middle of the room. 377 00:23:31,043 --> 00:23:32,910 Barry: Fortunately a guy named john aaron, 378 00:23:34,246 --> 00:23:35,712 Who's in charge of electrical systems, 379 00:23:35,715 --> 00:23:38,015 Had seen something like that before 380 00:23:38,083 --> 00:23:39,750 In a previous simulation. 381 00:23:42,287 --> 00:23:43,053 Conrad: We got ac? 382 00:23:43,055 --> 00:23:44,121 Bean: Yeah. 383 00:23:44,190 --> 00:23:45,022 Conrad: Maybe just the indicator. 384 00:23:45,090 --> 00:23:46,423 What do you got on the main bus? 385 00:23:46,492 --> 00:23:47,925 Kluger: He remembered that there was a switch called 386 00:23:47,927 --> 00:23:51,195 Signal conditioning equipment. 387 00:23:51,197 --> 00:23:53,130 And the signal conditioning equipment 388 00:23:53,198 --> 00:23:55,232 Was basically a rebooting system. 389 00:23:58,270 --> 00:24:01,071 So he called the flight director and said, 390 00:24:01,139 --> 00:24:03,407 "tell them to try sce to aux." 391 00:24:07,012 --> 00:24:08,946 Aaron: Try sce to aux? 392 00:24:09,014 --> 00:24:11,315 Griffin: Say again, sce to aux? 393 00:24:11,383 --> 00:24:13,784 Teitel: It was something that no one had ever heard of. 394 00:24:15,021 --> 00:24:18,255 Aaron: Sce to aux, sce to aux capcom. 395 00:24:19,492 --> 00:24:22,026 Narrator: The time to abort is fast approaching. 396 00:24:23,329 --> 00:24:25,763 Mission control gambles on aaron's call. 397 00:24:26,999 --> 00:24:28,165 Mission control: Apollo 12, houston, 398 00:24:28,167 --> 00:24:30,534 Try sce to auxiliary, over. 399 00:24:31,670 --> 00:24:33,337 Conrad: Sce to auxiliary. 400 00:24:33,405 --> 00:24:34,571 What the hell is that? 401 00:24:34,574 --> 00:24:37,708 Mission control: Sce, sce to auxiliary. 402 00:24:37,776 --> 00:24:40,478 (dramatic music) 403 00:24:40,546 --> 00:24:43,881 Narrator: In the capsule, astronauts try to figure out 404 00:24:43,949 --> 00:24:46,717 Which of the hundred switches on their console 405 00:24:46,785 --> 00:24:48,252 Aaron wants them to flip. 406 00:24:50,088 --> 00:24:51,822 Kluger: Conrad had no idea what it was. 407 00:24:54,326 --> 00:24:56,393 Dick gordon had no idea what it was. 408 00:24:58,264 --> 00:25:02,165 But the rookie, al bean, on whose instrument panel 409 00:25:02,234 --> 00:25:06,337 Sce to aux was, said, "I know where it is." 410 00:25:07,539 --> 00:25:10,007 Barry: Al bean reaches up, flips the switch sce to aux. 411 00:25:11,810 --> 00:25:14,078 Boop, it reboots the electrical system, 412 00:25:14,146 --> 00:25:14,945 All the things come back up. 413 00:25:17,016 --> 00:25:20,350 Narrator: In mission control the data stream 414 00:25:20,353 --> 00:25:22,086 Suddenly flips to normal. 415 00:25:24,023 --> 00:25:25,556 Now fully powered, 416 00:25:26,625 --> 00:25:28,993 Apollo 12 continues its journey onto the moon. 417 00:25:30,662 --> 00:25:32,763 Conrad: Apollo, houston, go for staging. 418 00:25:32,831 --> 00:25:34,765 Bean: Roger, go for staging. 419 00:25:34,833 --> 00:25:36,734 Mission control: We copy, pete, you're looking good. 420 00:25:38,337 --> 00:25:41,105 (dramatic music) 421 00:25:43,843 --> 00:25:46,243 Narrator: 24 minutes into the flight, 422 00:25:46,312 --> 00:25:49,346 Nasa realizes what nearly derailed the mission. 423 00:25:53,452 --> 00:25:55,653 Two powerful bolts of lightening. 424 00:25:58,790 --> 00:26:03,694 Kluger: You fly a 363 foot piece of metal up into the sky 425 00:26:04,597 --> 00:26:07,698 With an exhaust trail that's going down to the ground 426 00:26:09,501 --> 00:26:13,370 And you basically have a massive lightning rod 427 00:26:15,641 --> 00:26:18,108 Loaded with six million pounds of explosive fuel. 428 00:26:22,814 --> 00:26:24,682 Conrad: Coming down in five. 429 00:26:25,751 --> 00:26:27,951 Bean: Look at that crater right where 430 00:26:28,020 --> 00:26:30,120 It's supposed to be. 431 00:26:30,188 --> 00:26:32,522 Narrator: Five days later the astronauts become 432 00:26:32,591 --> 00:26:35,526 The second crew to land on the lunar surface. 433 00:26:37,897 --> 00:26:39,897 Bean: Great landing pete, outstanding, man. 434 00:26:42,434 --> 00:26:45,035 Teitel: The rest of apollo 12 went perfectly. 435 00:26:50,409 --> 00:26:52,509 The mission was a stunning success. 436 00:26:54,981 --> 00:26:56,513 John aaron's quick thinking 437 00:26:56,581 --> 00:27:00,050 And quick recognizing of this wonky data, 438 00:27:00,119 --> 00:27:01,518 Ultimately, saved the day. 439 00:27:04,723 --> 00:27:06,924 Narrator: It's a powerful lesson for nasa. 440 00:27:07,959 --> 00:27:11,595 You can't get to and from space without first 441 00:27:11,663 --> 00:27:14,999 Braving the elements within the earth's atmosphere. 442 00:27:16,535 --> 00:27:18,335 Teitel: One of the big takeaways from apollo 12 443 00:27:18,337 --> 00:27:21,405 Was that you really can't ignore what's happening on earth, 444 00:27:21,473 --> 00:27:23,340 When you're dealing in space. 445 00:27:27,012 --> 00:27:29,480 Weather plays an important role in any mission. 446 00:27:31,149 --> 00:27:33,817 (dramatic music) 447 00:27:37,289 --> 00:27:40,057 Narrator: The next time nasa challenges mother nature, 448 00:27:41,293 --> 00:27:43,594 Its luck runs out. 449 00:27:45,631 --> 00:27:48,365 (dramatic music) 450 00:27:54,173 --> 00:27:56,473 January 28, 1986. 451 00:27:58,310 --> 00:28:01,412 The space shuttle challenger is ready to launch. 452 00:28:04,416 --> 00:28:07,184 Students and teachers across the country 453 00:28:07,186 --> 00:28:11,255 Tune in for one of nasa's biggest media events in years. 454 00:28:14,392 --> 00:28:15,492 The seven-person crew includes 455 00:28:15,560 --> 00:28:17,428 High school teacher christa mcauliffe, 456 00:28:18,897 --> 00:28:22,866 Selected out of 11,000 candidates to be nasa's 457 00:28:22,935 --> 00:28:27,938 First teacher in space and the first private citizen 458 00:28:28,006 --> 00:28:29,807 To ever fly on a shuttle. 459 00:28:30,809 --> 00:28:34,044 Rocha: Mcauliffe was going to talk to school kids live, 460 00:28:34,046 --> 00:28:37,748 Televised classroom appearances from space. 461 00:28:37,750 --> 00:28:40,517 Mcauliffe: And then, what I'll do is I'll just bring this up 462 00:28:40,585 --> 00:28:44,088 And I'll go like that and that should make it move away. 463 00:28:47,159 --> 00:28:49,426 Pao sot: Here comes the flight crew now. 464 00:28:49,494 --> 00:28:50,660 (audience cheering and clapping) 465 00:28:50,729 --> 00:28:51,828 Narrator: The astronauts are greeted by a blast 466 00:28:51,897 --> 00:28:55,766 Of ice cold air as they walk to the launchpad. 467 00:28:55,834 --> 00:28:58,902 Pao sot: Pilot mike smith followed by teacher 468 00:28:58,970 --> 00:29:00,504 Christa mcauliffe, teacher in space. 469 00:29:00,572 --> 00:29:01,905 Narrator: It's the coldest scheduled 470 00:29:01,974 --> 00:29:03,807 Shuttle launch on record. 471 00:29:05,544 --> 00:29:06,710 Rocha: The very cold temperatures, 472 00:29:06,779 --> 00:29:09,412 Upper 20 degrees fahrenheit 473 00:29:09,481 --> 00:29:14,418 And the present of ice and icicles brought grave concerns 474 00:29:14,853 --> 00:29:16,987 To some people witnessing that. 475 00:29:17,055 --> 00:29:19,523 Pao sot: The meeting has been going on to determine 476 00:29:19,591 --> 00:29:23,360 What if any action is necessary because of the build up 477 00:29:23,428 --> 00:29:26,897 Of icicles on the fixed service structure out on the pad. 478 00:29:28,467 --> 00:29:31,234 Rocha: They were worried about the ice being dislodged 479 00:29:31,237 --> 00:29:33,270 And becoming damaging projectiles. 480 00:29:35,173 --> 00:29:38,308 Pao sot: As many people as possible are crowding into 481 00:29:38,376 --> 00:29:42,479 The white room on the 195-foot level of the pad today 482 00:29:42,547 --> 00:29:45,249 Because of the very cold temperatures out there. 483 00:29:50,222 --> 00:29:52,389 Narrator: Nasa is anxious to get the crew in the air. 484 00:29:54,526 --> 00:29:56,960 The launch is already six days behind schedule. 485 00:29:59,298 --> 00:30:00,764 Pao sot: The vehicle is now isolated 486 00:30:00,833 --> 00:30:01,898 From all ground propellant. 487 00:30:01,967 --> 00:30:03,567 Barry: There had been numerous delays 488 00:30:03,635 --> 00:30:05,569 Getting to launch for various reasons, 489 00:30:05,571 --> 00:30:08,105 And management in particular wanted to get 490 00:30:08,173 --> 00:30:09,139 The mission off the ground. 491 00:30:11,510 --> 00:30:12,609 Pao sot: T minus 10. 492 00:30:13,979 --> 00:30:15,712 Narrator: At 11:38 a.M. 493 00:30:15,714 --> 00:30:18,715 Pao sot: Seven, six, we have main engine start. 494 00:30:18,783 --> 00:30:21,818 Narrator: Challenger fires up its rockets. 495 00:30:21,887 --> 00:30:26,056 Pao sot: And lift off, lift off of the 25th 496 00:30:26,124 --> 00:30:28,592 Space shuttle mission and it has cleared the tower. 497 00:30:30,562 --> 00:30:32,396 Challenger: Houston, to roger all programs. 498 00:30:32,464 --> 00:30:34,097 Cap com: Roger roll challenger. 499 00:30:37,502 --> 00:30:39,236 Mission control: Good roll program confirmed. 500 00:30:40,272 --> 00:30:41,972 Challenger now heading down range. 501 00:30:42,942 --> 00:30:45,108 Mission control: Three at 65. 502 00:30:45,176 --> 00:30:46,877 Mission control: 65 fido. 503 00:30:46,945 --> 00:30:48,678 Mission control: Confirms throttle. 504 00:30:48,681 --> 00:30:50,113 Mission control: Thank you. 505 00:30:50,181 --> 00:30:51,882 Mission control: Velocity 2,257 ft per second. 506 00:30:51,950 --> 00:30:53,683 Altitude 4.3 nautical miles, 507 00:30:53,752 --> 00:30:55,686 Downrange distance three nautical miles. 508 00:30:58,490 --> 00:31:01,424 Cap com: Challenger, go with throttle up. 509 00:31:01,493 --> 00:31:03,994 Challenger: Roger, go with throttle up. 510 00:31:04,062 --> 00:31:06,096 Narrator: Just 72 seconds into the flight 511 00:31:07,499 --> 00:31:10,133 (booming sound) 512 00:31:15,307 --> 00:31:18,141 (ominous music) 513 00:31:18,209 --> 00:31:20,243 Pao sot: Flight controllers here looking very carefully 514 00:31:20,312 --> 00:31:22,846 At the situation, obviously a major malfunction. 515 00:31:26,584 --> 00:31:28,785 Rocha: There was flame like a blowtorch. 516 00:31:31,757 --> 00:31:35,025 The shuttle turned into the wind at supersonic speeds, 517 00:31:38,630 --> 00:31:41,831 And at that force shattered like glass. 518 00:31:41,834 --> 00:31:42,933 Just shattered apart. 519 00:31:45,403 --> 00:31:48,705 Narrator: What should have been the challenger's 520 00:31:48,707 --> 00:31:53,410 Finest hour has become a national disaster. 521 00:31:59,651 --> 00:32:03,153 Millions around the world watch the tragedy unfold. 522 00:32:11,296 --> 00:32:12,862 Rocha: For the next several minutes, 523 00:32:12,931 --> 00:32:15,065 All we saw was the debris drop in the ocean. 524 00:32:19,738 --> 00:32:23,173 Just plop, ka-plop, just geysers shooting up. 525 00:32:27,913 --> 00:32:30,780 We just didn't know what happened. 526 00:32:30,783 --> 00:32:32,282 It looked like an explosion. 527 00:32:35,220 --> 00:32:37,387 But why, why would it do that? 528 00:32:37,455 --> 00:32:38,221 We just didn't know. 529 00:32:46,932 --> 00:32:48,665 Narrator: The cause is traced to a part 530 00:32:48,667 --> 00:32:50,734 In the booster rocket called an o-ring. 531 00:32:54,039 --> 00:32:58,008 Extreme cold weather caused it to decay. 532 00:33:00,979 --> 00:33:04,147 Rocha: The o-rings are to keep the hot gasses inside 533 00:33:05,216 --> 00:33:05,983 From leaking to the outside. 534 00:33:07,619 --> 00:33:10,354 But cold made the o-rings stiff and brittle 535 00:33:12,891 --> 00:33:17,094 So instead of being a compliant, adjustable seal, 536 00:33:17,162 --> 00:33:20,163 It became a brittle, hard substance. 537 00:33:23,501 --> 00:33:25,902 Therefore, its performance as a seal 538 00:33:25,970 --> 00:33:28,238 Against hot gases failed. 539 00:33:29,874 --> 00:33:32,476 (ominous music) 540 00:33:38,316 --> 00:33:40,316 Barry: The exhaust gases blew a hole 541 00:33:40,385 --> 00:33:41,818 In the side of the rocket motor 542 00:33:42,987 --> 00:33:45,522 And shuttle challenger gets destroyed in the launch. 543 00:33:49,828 --> 00:33:51,561 Narrator: Nasa responds to the report 544 00:33:51,629 --> 00:33:54,397 By shutting down the space shuttle program 545 00:33:54,466 --> 00:33:56,133 For almost three years. 546 00:33:58,503 --> 00:34:00,837 Engineers make more than 100 changes 547 00:34:00,839 --> 00:34:02,139 To the shuttle's design. 548 00:34:05,177 --> 00:34:07,377 The failing rocket booster is reinforced 549 00:34:07,379 --> 00:34:09,813 With additional o-ring seals 550 00:34:09,815 --> 00:34:11,548 And an interior heating system. 551 00:34:17,022 --> 00:34:18,822 Barry: Space lessons tend to be very painful. 552 00:34:18,890 --> 00:34:21,958 They're expensive or are costly in human lives. 553 00:34:30,769 --> 00:34:32,636 Narrator: Making the journey through 554 00:34:32,704 --> 00:34:36,106 The earth's atmosphere will never be easy. 555 00:34:42,280 --> 00:34:46,349 In space the environment only gets deadlier. 556 00:34:47,886 --> 00:34:49,986 Barry: The weather in our atmosphere is one thing, 557 00:34:49,988 --> 00:34:52,455 But there is actually weather in space 558 00:34:52,524 --> 00:34:54,090 And there's an environment out there 559 00:34:54,159 --> 00:34:56,059 We need to worry about in space operations. 560 00:34:58,696 --> 00:35:00,931 Narrator: Our sun brings dangerous bursts 561 00:35:00,999 --> 00:35:05,969 Of electromagnetic radiation in the form of solar storms. 562 00:35:07,272 --> 00:35:09,272 Massimino: There's more radiation in space 563 00:35:09,340 --> 00:35:10,507 Than there is on the ground. 564 00:35:10,575 --> 00:35:12,843 The higher you go, the more radiation there is. 565 00:35:16,447 --> 00:35:18,915 As you get further and further away from our planet, 566 00:35:18,983 --> 00:35:21,852 Above the atmosphere, in higher altitudes, 567 00:35:21,920 --> 00:35:23,520 You have more radiation exposure. 568 00:35:25,356 --> 00:35:26,556 Narrator: Space radiation is one of 569 00:35:26,558 --> 00:35:28,358 Nasa's biggest concerns. 570 00:35:29,861 --> 00:35:33,463 The energy that a powerful solar storm unleashes 571 00:35:33,531 --> 00:35:35,298 Can quickly turn deadly. 572 00:35:39,037 --> 00:35:40,803 Pao sot: We have a go for main engine start. 573 00:35:40,872 --> 00:35:41,771 Six, four, three. 574 00:35:43,876 --> 00:35:47,110 Narrator: December 9, 2006. 575 00:35:47,179 --> 00:35:48,979 Pao sot: We have booster ignition 576 00:35:49,047 --> 00:35:50,547 And lift-off of the space shuttle discovery, 577 00:35:50,615 --> 00:35:52,815 Lighting up the nighttime sky. 578 00:35:52,884 --> 00:35:55,452 Narrator: The crew of mission sts-116 579 00:35:56,354 --> 00:35:58,388 Takes off from kennedy space center. 580 00:36:01,292 --> 00:36:02,959 Malik: Just before the flight, 581 00:36:03,027 --> 00:36:05,295 There were a few powerful x-class solar storms. 582 00:36:09,268 --> 00:36:12,936 X is like the most powerful type of storm. 583 00:36:13,004 --> 00:36:15,905 An x-class storm aimed directly at the earth or satellites, 584 00:36:15,974 --> 00:36:17,907 Can shut them down. 585 00:36:17,976 --> 00:36:21,278 It can endanger astronauts if it's powerful enough. 586 00:36:24,349 --> 00:36:27,917 Narrator: Three days later the shuttle is docked 587 00:36:27,986 --> 00:36:29,753 With the international space station. 588 00:36:34,892 --> 00:36:37,427 The crew prepares for the mission's first space walk, 589 00:36:40,632 --> 00:36:42,999 Carefully timed to avoid a possible flare. 590 00:36:48,539 --> 00:36:51,040 After nearly seven hours outside the station, 591 00:36:51,043 --> 00:36:56,012 Astronauts robert curbeam and christer fuglesang 592 00:36:56,080 --> 00:36:57,547 Head back to the airlock. 593 00:37:00,785 --> 00:37:03,720 They return to an urgent alert from mission control. 594 00:37:06,792 --> 00:37:11,294 Nasa's space weather team has spotted a major solar flare. 595 00:37:14,599 --> 00:37:18,901 It's a critical level x-3 meaning it can stretch out 596 00:37:18,970 --> 00:37:22,839 Into space at lengths many times the diameter of earth. 597 00:37:27,278 --> 00:37:29,846 Each burst is capable of producing as much energy 598 00:37:29,914 --> 00:37:32,482 As 10 billion hydrogen bombs. 599 00:37:38,790 --> 00:37:41,758 Mission control notes the flare with concern. 600 00:37:43,294 --> 00:37:46,096 The astronauts' health could be on the line. 601 00:37:48,233 --> 00:37:51,234 Too much solar radiation can cause neurological disease, 602 00:37:51,303 --> 00:37:55,305 Genetic mutation, cancer or worse. 603 00:37:57,342 --> 00:37:58,775 Malik: If astronauts receive massive amounts 604 00:37:58,843 --> 00:38:01,444 Of radiation exposure in space, it can be fatal. 605 00:38:03,515 --> 00:38:05,248 Narrator: Flight controllers order the crew 606 00:38:05,250 --> 00:38:08,351 To take shelter in a protected part of the ship. 607 00:38:09,721 --> 00:38:10,720 Polansky: If we know that 608 00:38:10,789 --> 00:38:12,055 There's some activity that's coming, 609 00:38:12,123 --> 00:38:15,325 There are areas of the station where crew members 610 00:38:15,393 --> 00:38:18,961 Tend to go ahead and stow things like water bags, 611 00:38:19,030 --> 00:38:20,597 Which actually either deflect 612 00:38:20,665 --> 00:38:23,400 Or absorb some of the radiation. 613 00:38:23,468 --> 00:38:25,635 Massimino: You're not going to be totally protected, 614 00:38:25,703 --> 00:38:27,737 But they don't want to give you any doses 615 00:38:27,805 --> 00:38:31,974 That would increase your chances of getting cancer. 616 00:38:31,977 --> 00:38:35,278 So they do protect you, but it's not an easy thing to do. 617 00:38:38,783 --> 00:38:41,918 Narrator: Overnight the station takes the full impact 618 00:38:43,020 --> 00:38:44,954 As the solar storm rages. 619 00:38:49,227 --> 00:38:52,562 Astronauts can only hope that the station 620 00:38:52,630 --> 00:38:53,897 Will keep them safe. 621 00:39:01,440 --> 00:39:04,441 While the crew of sts-116 sleeps, 622 00:39:06,177 --> 00:39:08,444 The international space station 623 00:39:08,513 --> 00:39:09,746 And the space shuttle discovery 624 00:39:10,782 --> 00:39:12,816 Get pummeled by powerful solar flares. 625 00:39:18,689 --> 00:39:20,924 In the morning, astronauts seem safe, 626 00:39:22,226 --> 00:39:25,395 But the station's systems are not. 627 00:39:25,463 --> 00:39:28,832 Polansky: Anytime that you have highly radioactive impacts, 628 00:39:29,735 --> 00:39:31,668 Any type of an electronic system 629 00:39:32,671 --> 00:39:34,371 Has the ability to be compromised. 630 00:39:35,940 --> 00:39:39,275 Narrator: A solar storm normally limits its mischief 631 00:39:39,343 --> 00:39:41,010 To destroying computers or tablets. 632 00:39:43,515 --> 00:39:46,750 This storm has taken out something much bigger. 633 00:39:48,186 --> 00:39:50,620 Malik: The space station started acting a little funny. 634 00:39:52,357 --> 00:39:54,157 During this solar event, 635 00:39:54,225 --> 00:39:55,758 Nasa realized that the space stations' computers 636 00:39:55,761 --> 00:39:57,927 Were having trouble keeping orientation. 637 00:40:00,264 --> 00:40:03,166 Narrator: Engineers quickly try to diagnose the problem. 638 00:40:05,503 --> 00:40:07,603 It appears that the storm has damaged the system 639 00:40:07,672 --> 00:40:09,773 That keeps the space station stable. 640 00:40:12,176 --> 00:40:15,612 Nasa must devise a plan to get the station back on track 641 00:40:18,350 --> 00:40:19,916 Or risk burning through precious fuel 642 00:40:19,918 --> 00:40:22,152 Trying to keep it properly placed. 643 00:40:23,455 --> 00:40:25,988 Polansky: If you only have so much propellant, 644 00:40:26,057 --> 00:40:27,990 You don't want to go ahead 645 00:40:28,059 --> 00:40:29,459 And waste it to boost the attitude 646 00:40:29,527 --> 00:40:32,728 Because maybe you've got another resupply mission coming up 647 00:40:32,731 --> 00:40:34,730 In two months and guess what? 648 00:40:34,733 --> 00:40:37,066 They have a problem and that extra gas 649 00:40:37,134 --> 00:40:39,335 You were counting on coming, it's not coming. 650 00:40:41,539 --> 00:40:45,241 Narrator: Now, astronauts must re-align the space station 651 00:40:45,309 --> 00:40:47,143 Using the space shuttle discovery. 652 00:40:49,947 --> 00:40:53,416 It's a delicate procedure that requires extreme precision. 653 00:40:54,819 --> 00:40:57,320 Polansky: The station itself is actually really fragile. 654 00:41:00,158 --> 00:41:02,058 When you fire something, 655 00:41:02,126 --> 00:41:04,928 You could damage the station in the process. 656 00:41:07,299 --> 00:41:10,533 Narrator: The day after the solar bombardment, 657 00:41:10,601 --> 00:41:14,204 Commander mark polansky fires up discovery's thrusters. 658 00:41:22,080 --> 00:41:24,848 Every burst will place them in a new spin. 659 00:41:27,552 --> 00:41:31,754 Any miscalculation could put the iss on the wrong course. 660 00:41:35,460 --> 00:41:37,494 Too much thrust might damage the station. 661 00:41:43,100 --> 00:41:47,136 Slowly, the station repositions. 662 00:41:49,373 --> 00:41:52,375 The shuttle's maneuvering is right on the money. 663 00:41:53,478 --> 00:41:57,346 By the next day nasa has the station's 664 00:41:57,349 --> 00:41:59,582 Attitude control back online. 665 00:42:04,689 --> 00:42:07,524 Now the crew can enjoy the positive side of a solar storm, 666 00:42:10,995 --> 00:42:11,995 The aurora borealis. 667 00:42:14,699 --> 00:42:16,799 Malik: The x classes can really amp up those 668 00:42:16,867 --> 00:42:17,634 Northern lights displays. 669 00:42:19,236 --> 00:42:21,337 Those are ones that we look forward to 670 00:42:21,339 --> 00:42:23,706 Because they can cause these dazzling light displays. 671 00:42:25,910 --> 00:42:28,177 They can really supercharge the auroras. 672 00:42:30,715 --> 00:42:33,816 Narrator: The aurora is a constant reminder 673 00:42:33,818 --> 00:42:36,319 Of the built-in shield that the earth's magnetic field 674 00:42:36,387 --> 00:42:38,821 Protects us with every day. 675 00:42:48,132 --> 00:42:50,800 Spaceflight is filled with uncertainties. 676 00:42:52,604 --> 00:42:55,238 As humankind ventures deeper into space, 677 00:42:56,207 --> 00:42:58,407 Astronauts will need even more 678 00:42:58,476 --> 00:42:59,909 Protection from solar weather. 679 00:43:02,513 --> 00:43:04,614 Massimino: On places like the moon, 680 00:43:04,616 --> 00:43:05,582 You really don't have any protection. 681 00:43:06,651 --> 00:43:07,784 The same for a place like mars. 682 00:43:12,157 --> 00:43:13,623 Narrator: From launch to reentry, 683 00:43:20,398 --> 00:43:23,800 Astronauts battle the unexpected at every turn. 684 00:43:25,269 --> 00:43:27,103 All while enduring the earth's 685 00:43:27,171 --> 00:43:29,005 Most unforgiving environments. 686 00:43:29,974 --> 00:43:33,643 Polansky: On a daily basis, all of the environmental impacts 687 00:43:33,711 --> 00:43:35,544 From being in space, 688 00:43:35,613 --> 00:43:38,715 Whether it's solar or orbital debris 689 00:43:39,651 --> 00:43:41,484 Or temperature extremes, 690 00:43:41,552 --> 00:43:43,553 Every day all of them have an impact. 691 00:43:45,056 --> 00:43:48,691 Narrator: As astronauts continue to brave the elements, 692 00:43:50,528 --> 00:43:54,530 It will be up to nasa to stay one step ahead of the curve.