1 00:00:01,568 --> 00:00:02,901 Mocr: Three, two, one. 2 00:00:02,969 --> 00:00:04,369 (shuttle engine rumbling) 3 00:00:04,438 --> 00:00:06,438 Narrator: A controlled explosion. 4 00:00:06,507 --> 00:00:08,306 Mocr: Ignition and lift -off. 5 00:00:08,309 --> 00:00:11,110 Narrator: Pushing tons of metal into the heavens. 6 00:00:11,178 --> 00:00:13,779 Sot: Look at that rocket go. 7 00:00:13,847 --> 00:00:16,715 Narrator: At thousands of miles an hour, 8 00:00:16,783 --> 00:00:18,450 What could go wrong? 9 00:00:18,519 --> 00:00:20,919 (shuttle engine explodes) 10 00:00:20,987 --> 00:00:23,055 Massimino: The launch is the time where the chances 11 00:00:23,123 --> 00:00:27,092 Of something happening bad are most probable. 12 00:00:27,160 --> 00:00:28,693 Narrator: On a rocket launch, 13 00:00:28,696 --> 00:00:32,998 Even the smallest design flaw can mean big trouble. 14 00:00:33,067 --> 00:00:35,901 Barry: A rocket is a highly complicated device. 15 00:00:35,969 --> 00:00:37,869 Narrator: Join us as we marvel 16 00:00:37,938 --> 00:00:40,972 At spaceflight's most dangerous moment. 17 00:00:41,041 --> 00:00:42,674 Teitel: One thing goes wrong 18 00:00:42,676 --> 00:00:45,010 And the entire rocket stack can be compromised. 19 00:00:45,012 --> 00:00:46,344 (space shuttle explodes) 20 00:00:46,347 --> 00:00:48,680 Narrator: Witness the terrifying misfires. 21 00:00:48,748 --> 00:00:50,148 (shuttle explodes) 22 00:00:50,217 --> 00:00:52,818 Kluger: There was an explosion of some kind 23 00:00:52,886 --> 00:00:54,719 That ripped the engine apart. 24 00:00:54,788 --> 00:00:56,622 Narrator: And engine failures. 25 00:00:56,690 --> 00:00:58,056 Fullerton: Mission control houston 26 00:00:58,059 --> 00:00:59,691 We have a center engine down. 27 00:00:59,759 --> 00:01:02,261 Narrator: That can quickly turn a countdown to glory 28 00:01:03,396 --> 00:01:06,632 Into a countdown to disaster. 29 00:01:06,700 --> 00:01:08,634 Weitekamp: You're looking at a loss of crew and vehicle. 30 00:01:09,903 --> 00:01:14,573 (upbeat music) 31 00:01:24,184 --> 00:01:26,018 (slow music) 32 00:01:26,086 --> 00:01:30,989 Narrator: July, 1985, kennedy space center, florida. 33 00:01:31,057 --> 00:01:32,791 (crawler engine roaring) 34 00:01:32,793 --> 00:01:35,627 Nasa's space shuttle begins the three mile crawl 35 00:01:37,465 --> 00:01:38,964 From the assembly building to the launch pad. 36 00:01:40,734 --> 00:01:44,202 This marvel of american engineering is made up 37 00:01:44,271 --> 00:01:45,737 Of three important parts. 38 00:01:45,805 --> 00:01:48,507 (upbeat music) 39 00:01:48,575 --> 00:01:51,743 The orbiter carries up to eight astronauts in its cabin, 40 00:01:51,745 --> 00:01:53,578 (camera clicking) 41 00:01:53,581 --> 00:01:56,882 And up to 50,000 pounds and a massive payload bay. 42 00:01:58,051 --> 00:02:00,018 (camera clicking) 43 00:02:00,086 --> 00:02:03,322 The orbiter is the only part that will make it to space. 44 00:02:04,825 --> 00:02:06,491 On the sides, 45 00:02:06,494 --> 00:02:10,896 Two of the most powerful rocket boosters ever built. 46 00:02:10,964 --> 00:02:13,899 Each one is 149 feet tall, 47 00:02:13,901 --> 00:02:15,500 (upbeat music) 48 00:02:15,569 --> 00:02:18,537 With a combined 6 million pounds of thrust. 49 00:02:18,605 --> 00:02:20,839 (shuttle engine roars) 50 00:02:20,908 --> 00:02:22,508 The shuttle's last component, 51 00:02:22,576 --> 00:02:23,975 (upbeat music) 52 00:02:23,978 --> 00:02:26,978 Is a giant external fuel tank. 53 00:02:26,981 --> 00:02:29,915 It's taller than the statue of liberty, 54 00:02:29,983 --> 00:02:33,385 And wraps a million and a half pounds of propellants 55 00:02:33,453 --> 00:02:34,920 In an aluminum skin, 56 00:02:34,988 --> 00:02:36,722 Just a quarter of an inch thick. 57 00:02:38,858 --> 00:02:40,759 In just a few days, 58 00:02:40,827 --> 00:02:44,730 The shuttle will make its 19th trip to the heavens 59 00:02:44,798 --> 00:02:47,799 With mission sts-51f. 60 00:02:47,801 --> 00:02:49,368 (upbeat music) 61 00:02:49,436 --> 00:02:52,871 Weitekamp: The primary mission of sts-51f 62 00:02:52,940 --> 00:02:54,973 Was really scientific research. 63 00:02:55,809 --> 00:02:57,542 When they got to orbit, 64 00:02:57,545 --> 00:02:59,144 The crew was really ready 65 00:02:59,146 --> 00:03:02,714 To get to work doing a whole series of experiments. 66 00:03:04,251 --> 00:03:06,185 Malik: It was a mission to carry these experiments, 67 00:03:06,253 --> 00:03:08,153 And also to measure what the environment 68 00:03:08,221 --> 00:03:10,022 Around the space shuttle in orbit is like. 69 00:03:11,725 --> 00:03:14,359 Narrator: Deep in a kennedy center workroom, 70 00:03:14,361 --> 00:03:16,895 Dozens of engineers gather. 71 00:03:16,897 --> 00:03:20,499 Reviewing the launch plan with alerts and anxious eyes. 72 00:03:20,567 --> 00:03:23,001 (indistinct chatter) 73 00:03:23,069 --> 00:03:24,502 (space shuttle engine humming) 74 00:03:24,505 --> 00:03:26,371 Weitekamp: The space shuttle is considered one 75 00:03:26,373 --> 00:03:30,308 Of the most dangerous crewed space vehicles ever assembled. 76 00:03:30,377 --> 00:03:33,778 And so preparations for space shuttle missions 77 00:03:33,847 --> 00:03:36,181 Are tremendously complex. 78 00:03:36,249 --> 00:03:39,517 It has great potential for a disaster. 79 00:03:39,520 --> 00:03:41,786 (air calmly whooshing) 80 00:03:41,855 --> 00:03:45,190 (soft music) 81 00:03:45,258 --> 00:03:49,661 Narrator: On July 29, the shuttle's seven-person crew 82 00:03:49,663 --> 00:03:52,797 Eats one last lunch on earth, 83 00:03:52,800 --> 00:03:55,333 Then boards the bus to their flight. 84 00:03:55,336 --> 00:03:57,669 (soft music) 85 00:03:57,737 --> 00:03:59,738 Three miles away from the launchpad, 86 00:03:59,806 --> 00:04:03,408 Thousands gather in the nasa causeway 87 00:04:03,410 --> 00:04:07,412 Here to cheer on nasa's 50th manned mission. 88 00:04:07,480 --> 00:04:09,081 (soft music) 89 00:04:09,149 --> 00:04:12,150 130 feet above the launchpad, 90 00:04:12,152 --> 00:04:13,685 Astronauts dawn their helmets 91 00:04:15,222 --> 00:04:18,423 And prepare to strap in for the bone-rattling ride. 92 00:04:20,060 --> 00:04:23,628 Massimino: The scariest part of a spaceflight is the launch, 93 00:04:23,631 --> 00:04:25,497 Being under powered flight, 94 00:04:25,565 --> 00:04:27,866 Under the power of a rocket taking you to space. 95 00:04:27,934 --> 00:04:29,034 Mocr: Minus five minutes, 96 00:04:29,102 --> 00:04:30,769 Eight seconds and counting. 97 00:04:30,837 --> 00:04:32,103 Massimino: That's the time where 98 00:04:32,172 --> 00:04:33,738 The chances of something happening 99 00:04:33,807 --> 00:04:36,308 Bad are most probable. 100 00:04:37,410 --> 00:04:38,410 Mocr: Orbiter test conductor 101 00:04:38,478 --> 00:04:39,878 Has given pilot ready to go, 102 00:04:39,946 --> 00:04:41,380 To perform the auxiliary power unit. 103 00:04:41,448 --> 00:04:43,114 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 104 00:04:43,117 --> 00:04:44,382 Narrator: On the launch pad, 105 00:04:44,451 --> 00:04:45,984 The shuttle's three main engines 106 00:04:46,052 --> 00:04:49,220 Guzzle a swimming-pool's worth of liquid propellant 107 00:04:49,289 --> 00:04:50,889 Every 25 seconds. 108 00:04:52,225 --> 00:04:54,659 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 109 00:04:54,728 --> 00:04:57,462 Massimino: The liquid engines run for six seconds 110 00:04:57,530 --> 00:04:58,830 Before the solids light. 111 00:05:00,133 --> 00:05:02,033 So you basically add six seconds 112 00:05:02,102 --> 00:05:05,370 To decide if you wanted to go anywhere that day. 113 00:05:05,438 --> 00:05:08,440 Within that six seconds if you shut off the fuel flow, 114 00:05:08,508 --> 00:05:12,477 You would shut down the engine and abort the launch. 115 00:05:12,479 --> 00:05:15,647 Narrator: Today, all systems seem to work, 116 00:05:15,715 --> 00:05:17,482 Final countdown goes off as planned. 117 00:05:19,719 --> 00:05:22,254 Mocr: Three, two, one, 118 00:05:23,623 --> 00:05:24,622 Booster ignition. 119 00:05:24,625 --> 00:05:27,392 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 120 00:05:27,460 --> 00:05:31,162 Narrator: At zero, the solid rocket boosters ignite 121 00:05:31,165 --> 00:05:34,599 And commit astronauts to a quick and dangerous journey. 122 00:05:34,667 --> 00:05:36,401 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 123 00:05:36,469 --> 00:05:38,069 Mocr: Lift off, we have lift off. 124 00:05:38,138 --> 00:05:41,439 (space shuttle rumbling) 125 00:05:41,508 --> 00:05:43,041 Massimino: Solid rockets 126 00:05:43,110 --> 00:05:45,577 Are like two giant sticks of dynamite. 127 00:05:45,579 --> 00:05:48,580 Those things burn for about two and a half minutes, 128 00:05:48,648 --> 00:05:50,282 Once you light them, 129 00:05:50,350 --> 00:05:52,617 You cannot turn them off and you know you're on your way. 130 00:05:52,685 --> 00:05:54,452 (shuttle engine roars) 131 00:05:54,521 --> 00:05:56,621 Narrator: To achieve orbit, the shuttle must accelerate 132 00:05:56,689 --> 00:05:59,190 To nine times the speed of a bullet. 133 00:05:59,193 --> 00:06:01,593 (shuttle engine rumbling) 134 00:06:01,595 --> 00:06:03,595 It's speeding at 100 miles an hour 135 00:06:03,663 --> 00:06:05,297 Before it even clears the tower. 136 00:06:06,800 --> 00:06:08,066 Mocr: Tower clear (indistinct). 137 00:06:09,603 --> 00:06:12,937 (crowd clapping and applauding) 138 00:06:12,940 --> 00:06:14,539 (shuttle engine roaring) pao: Roger roars. 139 00:06:18,011 --> 00:06:20,011 Narrator: In the control room, 140 00:06:20,013 --> 00:06:21,913 Flight directors carefully monitor 141 00:06:21,981 --> 00:06:23,448 The spacecraft's progress. 142 00:06:24,385 --> 00:06:26,385 Mocr: (indistinct radio chatter) 143 00:06:26,453 --> 00:06:28,620 Set column precursor to srp separation 144 00:06:28,688 --> 00:06:29,988 Standing by for srp sep. 145 00:06:33,460 --> 00:06:35,627 Narrator: The spacecraft continues to climb 146 00:06:35,629 --> 00:06:37,562 On the thrust of its three main engines. 147 00:06:39,166 --> 00:06:41,900 Suddenly, the astronauts hear an alarm. 148 00:06:41,968 --> 00:06:43,234 (space shuttle alarm beeping) 149 00:06:43,237 --> 00:06:44,235 Fullerton: Mission control, houston 150 00:06:44,304 --> 00:06:45,437 We have a center engine down. 151 00:06:45,505 --> 00:06:47,906 Mocr: We copy, standby. 152 00:06:47,974 --> 00:06:50,308 Weitekamp: Within the first minutes of the launch, 153 00:06:50,377 --> 00:06:51,443 They knew there were problems. 154 00:06:52,646 --> 00:06:55,113 What they saw was that the center engine 155 00:06:55,182 --> 00:06:58,817 Of the three space shuttle main engines 156 00:06:58,885 --> 00:07:01,853 Was automatically shut down because it was overheating 157 00:07:01,921 --> 00:07:03,354 (dramatic music) 158 00:07:03,423 --> 00:07:04,889 Malik: That was a really big deal 159 00:07:04,958 --> 00:07:06,124 Because it shut down an engine, in flight, 160 00:07:06,126 --> 00:07:07,659 Something that nasa had never seen before 161 00:07:07,727 --> 00:07:09,194 On a space shuttle. 162 00:07:09,262 --> 00:07:11,129 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 163 00:07:11,131 --> 00:07:13,731 Narrator: In houston, mission control scrambles 164 00:07:13,800 --> 00:07:15,000 To understand the problem. 165 00:07:15,068 --> 00:07:17,669 (dramatic music) 166 00:07:17,737 --> 00:07:20,305 What seemed like a promising launch, 167 00:07:20,373 --> 00:07:21,473 Is suddenly in trouble. 168 00:07:23,176 --> 00:07:26,511 Mocr: Third stage performance, low. 169 00:07:26,579 --> 00:07:28,880 Malik: The problem is that, the shuttle needs three engines 170 00:07:28,882 --> 00:07:31,450 To fire all the way through to make its main orbit. 171 00:07:33,419 --> 00:07:37,088 Narrator: Flight directors consider their options. 172 00:07:37,156 --> 00:07:40,592 There's no possibility that the astronauts can eject. 173 00:07:40,660 --> 00:07:42,427 (shuttle engine sensor beeping) 174 00:07:42,429 --> 00:07:44,763 Weitekamp: The crew cabin is an integral part 175 00:07:44,831 --> 00:07:47,032 Of the entire orbiter. 176 00:07:47,100 --> 00:07:51,569 There's no way to jettison oneself as an astronaut 177 00:07:51,572 --> 00:07:53,238 Away from the launch vehicle. 178 00:07:53,306 --> 00:07:58,309 (dramatic music) 179 00:07:58,378 --> 00:08:00,712 Narrator: With just two engines remaining, 180 00:08:00,780 --> 00:08:03,882 The shuttle can't make it to the highest orbit 181 00:08:03,950 --> 00:08:05,850 But should be able to limp into one 182 00:08:05,853 --> 00:08:07,285 That's slightly lower. 183 00:08:08,989 --> 00:08:10,622 To save the mission, 184 00:08:10,690 --> 00:08:13,258 The flight director makes an unprecedented call. 185 00:08:14,728 --> 00:08:17,162 Mocr: Houston, abort ato, abort ato. 186 00:08:19,332 --> 00:08:22,467 Weitekamp: He made the call for abort to orbit, 187 00:08:22,535 --> 00:08:24,436 Which meant committing, 188 00:08:24,504 --> 00:08:28,573 Sending the vehicle upward rather than beginning 189 00:08:28,641 --> 00:08:30,342 To turn it back towards the earth. 190 00:08:32,278 --> 00:08:33,878 Mocr: (indistinct chatter) 191 00:08:33,947 --> 00:08:35,713 (shuttle engine roaring) 192 00:08:35,782 --> 00:08:38,016 Narrator: The flight team watches the shuttle climb 193 00:08:38,084 --> 00:08:42,754 (shuttle engine rumbling) (shuttle sensor beeping) 194 00:08:42,822 --> 00:08:44,155 But a minute later, (shuttle sensor beeping) 195 00:08:44,157 --> 00:08:47,492 A sensor on a second engine also sounds an alarm. 196 00:08:47,494 --> 00:08:49,528 (shuttle engine sensor beeping) 197 00:08:49,596 --> 00:08:51,462 Fullerton: Control houston, we have a second engine down. 198 00:08:51,531 --> 00:08:52,830 Mocr: We copy, standby. 199 00:08:52,833 --> 00:08:54,532 (suspense music) 200 00:08:54,601 --> 00:08:56,668 Narrator: Suddenly, mission control 201 00:08:56,736 --> 00:08:59,370 Faces the possibility of not just one, 202 00:08:59,373 --> 00:09:00,972 But two failed engines. 203 00:09:02,875 --> 00:09:08,546 Weitekamp: That created a very new scenario in mission control. 204 00:09:08,615 --> 00:09:10,715 Malik: The other sensor was tripping an alarm 205 00:09:10,784 --> 00:09:13,184 That could shut the second engine down. 206 00:09:13,252 --> 00:09:15,253 They can't have another engine go out 207 00:09:15,255 --> 00:09:17,122 Or they're not gonna get into any orbit. 208 00:09:17,190 --> 00:09:18,389 (upbeat music) 209 00:09:18,458 --> 00:09:19,791 Narrator: In the control room, 210 00:09:19,859 --> 00:09:23,461 Flight engineer jenny howard notices something strange. 211 00:09:24,998 --> 00:09:28,032 The problem may be with the sensor, 212 00:09:28,101 --> 00:09:29,134 Not the engine. 213 00:09:29,202 --> 00:09:31,803 (shuttle engine roaring) 214 00:09:31,871 --> 00:09:33,471 She doesn't have long to figure it out. 215 00:09:35,075 --> 00:09:37,642 Mocr: The velocity now 15,700 feet per second. 216 00:09:39,178 --> 00:09:41,145 Narrator: Howard's brave call, 217 00:09:41,148 --> 00:09:43,781 "the astronauts must override the sensor 218 00:09:43,850 --> 00:09:45,783 And let the engines keep burning." 219 00:09:45,852 --> 00:09:47,652 (suspense music) 220 00:09:47,720 --> 00:09:49,821 Weitekamp: They're really making that decision in a matter 221 00:09:49,823 --> 00:09:54,425 Of seconds, about whether to keep the second engine firing 222 00:09:54,494 --> 00:09:56,561 Even though it was showing some signs 223 00:09:56,629 --> 00:09:58,463 From the sensor of overheating. 224 00:10:00,700 --> 00:10:02,967 Narrator: If howard has gambled right, 225 00:10:03,036 --> 00:10:06,638 The shuttle will make it safely to orbit. 226 00:10:06,706 --> 00:10:07,839 If she's wrong, 227 00:10:07,841 --> 00:10:11,576 The mission will turn tragic. 228 00:10:11,645 --> 00:10:14,546 Weitekamp: It's a very calculated risk. 229 00:10:14,614 --> 00:10:17,915 If the attempt to reach orbit doesn't work, 230 00:10:17,918 --> 00:10:20,652 Then you're looking at a loss of crew and vehicle. 231 00:10:20,654 --> 00:10:24,189 (shuttle engine rumbling) 232 00:10:25,091 --> 00:10:26,858 (upbeat music) 233 00:10:26,926 --> 00:10:29,494 Narrator: 28 miles above the earth, 234 00:10:29,562 --> 00:10:32,730 Nasa shuttle mission 51f has lost one 235 00:10:32,799 --> 00:10:34,732 Of its three main engines. 236 00:10:34,801 --> 00:10:36,534 (shuttle engine sensor beeping) 237 00:10:36,602 --> 00:10:38,269 Another appears to be failing. 238 00:10:38,338 --> 00:10:40,238 (shuttle engine sensor beeping) 239 00:10:40,240 --> 00:10:41,606 Malik: Having two engines out would've really been a bad day 240 00:10:41,675 --> 00:10:43,274 For the astronauts. 241 00:10:43,343 --> 00:10:46,511 It could lead to a potential catastrophic event. 242 00:10:46,513 --> 00:10:47,979 (upbeat music) 243 00:10:48,047 --> 00:10:50,682 Narrator: Flight controllers watch anxiously 244 00:10:50,684 --> 00:10:52,917 As the 100 ton spacecraft strains 245 00:10:52,985 --> 00:10:54,419 Against the bonds of earth. 246 00:10:54,487 --> 00:10:56,220 (shuttle engine squeaking) 247 00:10:56,289 --> 00:11:00,692 (shuttle engine ignites) 248 00:11:00,760 --> 00:11:03,294 Mocr: Blasting out 5100 feet per second. 249 00:11:03,362 --> 00:11:07,165 (tense music) 250 00:11:07,233 --> 00:11:08,599 Narrator: If the second engine 251 00:11:08,668 --> 00:11:11,335 Can last just 60 seconds more, 252 00:11:11,404 --> 00:11:13,338 The spacecraft will make it to orbit. 253 00:11:15,909 --> 00:11:16,941 If it fails, 254 00:11:18,077 --> 00:11:20,978 The seven-person crew will be lost. 255 00:11:20,981 --> 00:11:26,250 (tense music) (shuttle engine rumbling) 256 00:11:26,319 --> 00:11:30,688 Finally, nine and a half minutes after launch, 257 00:11:30,757 --> 00:11:32,690 The two surviving engines burn through 258 00:11:32,759 --> 00:11:34,158 Their last of their fuel. 259 00:11:34,227 --> 00:11:38,963 (soft music) 260 00:11:41,334 --> 00:11:44,469 The shuttle jettisons its empty external fuel tank, 261 00:11:46,740 --> 00:11:49,474 And coasts smoothly into its flight pattern. 262 00:11:50,711 --> 00:11:51,909 Mocr: Going into orbit. 263 00:11:51,978 --> 00:11:54,312 Astronaut: Rodger. 264 00:11:54,380 --> 00:11:55,413 Narrator: Thanks to flight controller 265 00:11:55,482 --> 00:11:57,949 Jenny howard steely nerves, 266 00:11:57,951 --> 00:12:01,219 The mission can now go on almost as planned. 267 00:12:01,287 --> 00:12:03,421 (flight directors applauding) 268 00:12:03,490 --> 00:12:07,825 Weitekamp: The ground controller who made the daring decision 269 00:12:07,828 --> 00:12:11,796 To trust the engine not the sensor, 270 00:12:11,864 --> 00:12:13,264 For the second engine (flight directors applauding) 271 00:12:13,332 --> 00:12:14,365 Really saved the mission. (flight directors applauding) 272 00:12:14,367 --> 00:12:19,003 (soft music) 273 00:12:20,573 --> 00:12:22,774 Malik: But they weren't able to reach as high of an orbit 274 00:12:22,842 --> 00:12:24,342 As they were hoping for 275 00:12:24,344 --> 00:12:25,943 Because they had lost that first engine. 276 00:12:26,012 --> 00:12:27,779 But they were able to at least do some 277 00:12:27,847 --> 00:12:29,981 Of their mission parameters, if not all of them, 278 00:12:29,983 --> 00:12:31,316 At that lower orbit. 279 00:12:31,384 --> 00:12:33,451 (soft music) 280 00:12:34,721 --> 00:12:35,787 Astronaut: Down too looks good 281 00:12:35,855 --> 00:12:36,921 Turning on to final. 282 00:12:36,990 --> 00:12:38,523 Narrator: Eight days after launch, 283 00:12:38,591 --> 00:12:41,593 The shuttle touches down at edwards air force base. 284 00:12:41,661 --> 00:12:43,594 Mocr: Welcome home, 285 00:12:43,597 --> 00:12:46,130 And congratulations to the whole crew on a beautiful flight. 286 00:12:46,133 --> 00:12:47,732 (shuttle engine roaring) 287 00:12:47,800 --> 00:12:49,767 Weitekamp: Sts-51f is considered a success. 288 00:12:49,836 --> 00:12:52,637 (soft music) 289 00:12:52,705 --> 00:12:56,141 It demonstrated that this rare abort mode 290 00:12:56,209 --> 00:12:58,109 Would actually work. 291 00:12:58,177 --> 00:13:00,711 It was the only time it was ever executed 292 00:13:00,780 --> 00:13:03,214 In the entire space shuttle program. 293 00:13:03,283 --> 00:13:05,883 (soft music) 294 00:13:05,886 --> 00:13:07,451 Narrator: Technicians take the spacecraft 295 00:13:07,520 --> 00:13:10,188 To the hangar for a post mission analysis. 296 00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:14,025 They confirm howard's guess, 297 00:13:14,093 --> 00:13:16,394 That the problem was with the sensors, 298 00:13:16,462 --> 00:13:18,830 Not the engines. 299 00:13:18,898 --> 00:13:23,868 Nasa modifies the design before it launches future flights. 300 00:13:23,936 --> 00:13:25,903 Malik: Every rocket has an inherent risk, 301 00:13:25,906 --> 00:13:29,707 So there is constant vigilance that needs to be kept. 302 00:13:29,775 --> 00:13:31,709 (shuttle engine squealing) 303 00:13:31,777 --> 00:13:32,910 (rockets explode) 304 00:13:32,979 --> 00:13:36,247 (space shuttle engine rumbles) 305 00:13:37,750 --> 00:13:39,517 Narrator: Sending rockets to space 306 00:13:39,586 --> 00:13:41,252 Is an unforgiving business. 307 00:13:41,254 --> 00:13:44,822 (rockets exploding) 308 00:13:44,825 --> 00:13:47,358 Every launch is a long controlled explosion. 309 00:13:47,426 --> 00:13:49,660 (rocket engine roaring) 310 00:13:49,663 --> 00:13:52,997 It can turn into a fiery spectacle at the smallest error. 311 00:13:52,999 --> 00:13:55,867 (rocket exploding) 312 00:13:55,935 --> 00:13:57,502 (upbeat music) 313 00:13:57,570 --> 00:13:58,703 Barry: Even at the highest levels of reliability, 314 00:13:58,771 --> 00:14:00,271 There's so many parts and pieces 315 00:14:00,339 --> 00:14:01,973 And there are so many things that have to go right. 316 00:14:03,543 --> 00:14:06,177 The margin between safety and death 317 00:14:07,680 --> 00:14:09,146 Is pretty small. 318 00:14:09,149 --> 00:14:13,952 (rocket exploding) 319 00:14:17,556 --> 00:14:19,023 Narrator: American robert goddard 320 00:14:19,092 --> 00:14:22,694 Starts the age of rocketry in the 1920s, 321 00:14:22,762 --> 00:14:25,796 Inventing the world's first liquid fueled rocket. 322 00:14:25,865 --> 00:14:27,699 (upbeat music) 323 00:14:27,767 --> 00:14:31,702 Next, come the deadly rocket driven missiles 324 00:14:31,771 --> 00:14:32,670 Of world war ii. 325 00:14:32,739 --> 00:14:35,006 (shuttle engine rumbling) 326 00:14:35,074 --> 00:14:36,574 (upbeat music) 327 00:14:36,643 --> 00:14:38,743 In the 1950s, 328 00:14:38,811 --> 00:14:40,978 Scientists in both the united states 329 00:14:41,047 --> 00:14:43,147 And the soviet union begin to focus 330 00:14:43,215 --> 00:14:44,916 On another use for rockets, 331 00:14:44,984 --> 00:14:46,550 (upbeat music) 332 00:14:46,619 --> 00:14:49,020 Launching satellites into space. 333 00:14:50,923 --> 00:14:53,958 Weitekamp: Space was very much a battlefield in the cold war. 334 00:14:54,026 --> 00:14:55,459 (upbeat music) 335 00:14:55,462 --> 00:14:58,062 Satellites could be used for scientific purposes 336 00:14:58,130 --> 00:15:00,265 And they also could be used for intelligence gathering. 337 00:15:00,333 --> 00:15:01,866 (audience clapping) 338 00:15:01,868 --> 00:15:05,169 Narrator: In 1955, president eisenhower tries 339 00:15:05,237 --> 00:15:06,504 To warn up the soviets. 340 00:15:06,572 --> 00:15:08,339 (tense music) 341 00:15:08,407 --> 00:15:11,475 He announces that the united states will develop a rocket 342 00:15:11,478 --> 00:15:14,278 That can launch a satellite around the earth. 343 00:15:14,281 --> 00:15:16,714 (tense music) 344 00:15:16,716 --> 00:15:18,316 The navy gets the contract 345 00:15:18,384 --> 00:15:21,819 For an unproven rocket called vanguard. 346 00:15:21,887 --> 00:15:25,990 (tense music) 347 00:15:26,059 --> 00:15:29,026 Eisenhower expects the new satellite launching rocket 348 00:15:29,095 --> 00:15:31,462 To set the standard for the space race. 349 00:15:31,530 --> 00:15:33,831 (tense music) 350 00:15:33,899 --> 00:15:35,633 Two years later, 351 00:15:35,702 --> 00:15:37,768 America learns that it's been caught 352 00:15:37,771 --> 00:15:38,803 With its antenna down 353 00:15:39,638 --> 00:15:42,306 In front of the entire world. 354 00:15:42,309 --> 00:15:45,576 (upbeat music) 355 00:15:45,644 --> 00:15:50,515 In 1957, the press makes a shocking announcement. 356 00:15:50,583 --> 00:15:55,119 The soviets have launched a sputnik rocket. 357 00:15:55,121 --> 00:15:58,189 It carries the world's first artificial satellite. 358 00:15:58,257 --> 00:16:00,858 (rocket engine roaring) 359 00:16:00,927 --> 00:16:03,794 Weitekamp: It was a rudimentary satellite about the size 360 00:16:03,863 --> 00:16:08,399 Of a beach ball that had the famous beep beep beep 361 00:16:08,467 --> 00:16:11,135 That you could pick up with a radio on earth. 362 00:16:11,204 --> 00:16:13,438 (tense music) 363 00:16:15,841 --> 00:16:18,710 Narrator: Before america can recover its pride, 364 00:16:18,778 --> 00:16:21,446 The soviet strike an even more serious blow, 365 00:16:22,749 --> 00:16:24,749 Launching a satellite big enough 366 00:16:24,817 --> 00:16:26,851 To carry an 11 pound dog. 367 00:16:26,919 --> 00:16:28,753 (tense music) 368 00:16:28,821 --> 00:16:30,821 Weitekamp: Sputnik 2 was the much bigger, 369 00:16:30,890 --> 00:16:34,425 More powerful satellite and then sent a clear message 370 00:16:34,493 --> 00:16:37,928 That the soviet union was moving in leaps and bounds 371 00:16:37,997 --> 00:16:42,099 In their ability to lift payload off of the earth. 372 00:16:42,102 --> 00:16:44,435 (tense music) 373 00:16:44,503 --> 00:16:46,237 Narrator: The white house quickly responds. 374 00:16:46,239 --> 00:16:48,072 (tense music) 375 00:16:48,140 --> 00:16:52,777 Eisenhower announces plans to launch an american satellite, 376 00:16:52,779 --> 00:16:56,948 Riding on the navy's new rocket, vanguard tv3. 377 00:16:58,385 --> 00:17:01,318 Weitekamp: The expectations for tv3 were really just 378 00:17:01,321 --> 00:17:02,787 A clean launch 379 00:17:02,789 --> 00:17:06,457 That would put this satellite into orbit. 380 00:17:06,526 --> 00:17:09,961 This would be a direct answer to the soviet union. 381 00:17:10,029 --> 00:17:14,265 (upbeat music) 382 00:17:14,333 --> 00:17:17,802 Narrator: December 6, 1957, cape canaveral, 383 00:17:18,805 --> 00:17:20,805 Tv3 waits on a launch pad. 384 00:17:23,809 --> 00:17:26,644 It carries a grapefruit -sized satellite, 385 00:17:26,712 --> 00:17:29,580 Almost 60 times lighter than sputnik 386 00:17:29,648 --> 00:17:31,816 And just a quarter of the size. 387 00:17:31,884 --> 00:17:34,351 (upbeat music) 388 00:17:34,420 --> 00:17:36,454 American press and dignitaries are there 389 00:17:36,456 --> 00:17:38,255 To witness the historic event. 390 00:17:38,324 --> 00:17:40,625 (upbeat music) 391 00:17:42,061 --> 00:17:45,729 Weitekamp: The soviet launches had been secret 392 00:17:45,798 --> 00:17:48,866 And only publicized after they had been successful. 393 00:17:48,935 --> 00:17:50,768 (upbeat music) 394 00:17:50,770 --> 00:17:53,104 The us was gonna make a statement 395 00:17:53,172 --> 00:17:55,773 By demonstrating that the us space program 396 00:17:55,775 --> 00:17:57,408 Was done out in the open. 397 00:17:59,612 --> 00:18:03,047 Narrator: At 11:44, the first stage ignites 398 00:18:04,617 --> 00:18:07,017 And slowly begins to rise. 399 00:18:07,086 --> 00:18:12,990 (rocket engine roaring) 400 00:18:12,992 --> 00:18:15,359 Weitekamp: Just a few seconds later it became very clear 401 00:18:15,427 --> 00:18:17,662 That something was really wrong. 402 00:18:17,730 --> 00:18:19,297 (rocket engine roaring) 403 00:18:20,266 --> 00:18:22,733 (rocket engine roaring) 404 00:18:22,802 --> 00:18:24,235 Narrator: At cape canaveral, 405 00:18:24,237 --> 00:18:25,903 Onlookers expect to see america's 406 00:18:25,971 --> 00:18:28,940 Dazzling new satellite rise triumphantly. 407 00:18:31,076 --> 00:18:33,845 But then. (rocket exploding) 408 00:18:35,948 --> 00:18:38,149 Weitekamp: The launch vehicle blew up 409 00:18:38,217 --> 00:18:40,885 Into a giant fireball. 410 00:18:40,953 --> 00:18:45,156 (soft music playing) (fire blazing) 411 00:18:45,158 --> 00:18:49,961 (soft music playing) 412 00:18:51,831 --> 00:18:57,067 The tv3 satellite actually landed on the launch pad 413 00:18:57,136 --> 00:18:58,736 And started beeping. 414 00:18:58,804 --> 00:19:00,738 (soft music playing) 415 00:19:00,806 --> 00:19:02,506 Narrator: Engineers trace the cause 416 00:19:02,509 --> 00:19:04,442 To a problem with the rocket's fuel system, 417 00:19:05,912 --> 00:19:10,381 It's an easy fix but the public disaster strikes america 418 00:19:10,383 --> 00:19:11,982 At its very core. 419 00:19:12,051 --> 00:19:15,386 (rocket blazing) 420 00:19:15,454 --> 00:19:17,021 Weitekamp: Headlines were merciless. 421 00:19:17,089 --> 00:19:20,691 The tv3 was called flopnik kaputnick, 422 00:19:22,461 --> 00:19:25,630 Making the clear comparison with sputnik and its failure. 423 00:19:27,467 --> 00:19:29,934 (upbeat music) 424 00:19:30,002 --> 00:19:32,770 Narrator: Meanwhile, in the soviet union, 425 00:19:32,838 --> 00:19:35,873 The russians have their own rocket problems. 426 00:19:35,875 --> 00:19:36,908 (upbeat music) 427 00:19:36,976 --> 00:19:39,009 October 24, 1960, 428 00:19:39,012 --> 00:19:41,111 (upbeat music) 429 00:19:41,180 --> 00:19:44,015 Baikonur test range, kazakhstan, 430 00:19:45,818 --> 00:19:47,685 The soviet union is about to test 431 00:19:47,753 --> 00:19:50,254 Its new rocket powered missile. 432 00:19:50,322 --> 00:19:53,224 (upbeat music) 433 00:19:53,292 --> 00:19:54,858 Barry: The soviet government's really keen 434 00:19:54,927 --> 00:19:58,696 To actually have strategic missile capability 435 00:19:58,764 --> 00:20:00,431 So that the soviets could then have a deterrent 436 00:20:00,499 --> 00:20:02,833 Against the united states launching a nuclear strike. 437 00:20:02,902 --> 00:20:04,835 (upbeat music) 438 00:20:04,837 --> 00:20:06,337 Narrator: Chief marshal of artillery, 439 00:20:06,405 --> 00:20:08,739 Mitrofan ivanovich nedelin 440 00:20:08,807 --> 00:20:10,575 Works tirelessly on the project, 441 00:20:11,978 --> 00:20:13,911 Compressing the schedule beyond 442 00:20:13,913 --> 00:20:16,280 What's normally considered safe. 443 00:20:16,348 --> 00:20:19,784 (tense music) 444 00:20:19,852 --> 00:20:22,519 Malik: A lot of the testing regimes that needed to be done, 445 00:20:22,588 --> 00:20:23,721 Were being done at the same time 446 00:20:23,789 --> 00:20:25,456 As they were getting ready to launch. 447 00:20:25,524 --> 00:20:27,258 (soft music) 448 00:20:27,326 --> 00:20:28,692 Barry: Soviet leadership is calling down frequently. 449 00:20:28,695 --> 00:20:29,727 "have you launched it yet?" 450 00:20:29,795 --> 00:20:30,761 "have you launched it yet?" 451 00:20:31,931 --> 00:20:33,731 And so nedelin is under a lot of pressure. 452 00:20:33,799 --> 00:20:35,532 (soft music) 453 00:20:35,535 --> 00:20:38,569 Narrator: Nedelin and 250 of his workers 454 00:20:38,637 --> 00:20:41,905 Wrap up a work day in front of the fully fueled rocket. 455 00:20:41,974 --> 00:20:43,974 (suspense music) 456 00:20:43,977 --> 00:20:46,744 When its suddenly has an electrical malfunction. 457 00:20:48,715 --> 00:20:50,948 Barry: The second stage is operated on a timer, 458 00:20:51,017 --> 00:20:53,217 They didn't turn the timer off. 459 00:20:53,285 --> 00:20:55,419 So here is this rocket full of tons and tons 460 00:20:55,488 --> 00:20:57,655 Of chemicals that will instantaneously ignite 461 00:20:57,723 --> 00:21:01,058 Once they touch each other, and the whole thing blows up. 462 00:21:01,126 --> 00:21:05,296 (rocket explodes) 463 00:21:05,298 --> 00:21:09,433 (somber music) 464 00:21:09,502 --> 00:21:12,737 Narrator: More than 100 engineers meet a fiery death, 465 00:21:14,239 --> 00:21:16,340 (somber music) 466 00:21:16,342 --> 00:21:17,908 Including nedelin. 467 00:21:17,976 --> 00:21:22,546 (fire blazing) 468 00:21:23,849 --> 00:21:25,983 Barry: It was a huge catastrophe. 469 00:21:27,319 --> 00:21:28,852 Wiped out the top leadership 470 00:21:28,921 --> 00:21:31,389 Of russian strategic rocket forces. 471 00:21:32,925 --> 00:21:34,591 Narrator: The event becomes known 472 00:21:34,660 --> 00:21:36,093 As the nedelin disaster. 473 00:21:36,161 --> 00:21:37,928 (somber music) 474 00:21:37,996 --> 00:21:40,197 The soviets keep it secret for decades. 475 00:21:40,265 --> 00:21:43,067 (somber music) 476 00:21:43,069 --> 00:21:44,134 Barry: For many years in the west, 477 00:21:44,137 --> 00:21:46,003 We knew that something happened, 478 00:21:46,072 --> 00:21:48,539 And that there'd been a number of casualties, 479 00:21:48,607 --> 00:21:50,708 But we didn't know quite the scale of it. 480 00:21:50,776 --> 00:21:52,276 (fire blazing) 481 00:21:52,345 --> 00:21:54,912 Narrator: It's the worst rocket accident in history. 482 00:21:54,980 --> 00:21:57,748 (somber music) 483 00:21:57,817 --> 00:21:59,083 And a powerful warning 484 00:21:59,085 --> 00:22:01,352 About the dangers of rushing new technology. 485 00:22:01,420 --> 00:22:04,388 (somber music) 486 00:22:04,456 --> 00:22:06,890 Malik: Space technology can be unforgiving if you push it 487 00:22:06,959 --> 00:22:07,925 When it's not ready. 488 00:22:10,763 --> 00:22:13,063 (upbeat music) 489 00:22:13,132 --> 00:22:17,301 Narrator: Despite these disasters, by the early 1960s, 490 00:22:17,369 --> 00:22:21,038 Engineers in both the united states and the soviet union 491 00:22:21,106 --> 00:22:24,742 Are confident enough to put a man on top of a rocket. 492 00:22:24,810 --> 00:22:28,412 (upbeat music) 493 00:22:28,480 --> 00:22:30,914 The soviets use a vostok rocket 494 00:22:30,983 --> 00:22:34,085 To send cosmonaut yuri gagarin around the earth. 495 00:22:34,153 --> 00:22:35,719 (crowd clapping) 496 00:22:35,788 --> 00:22:37,388 (upbeat music) 497 00:22:37,456 --> 00:22:39,790 America chooses a redstone, 498 00:22:39,792 --> 00:22:42,226 To send the astronauts of project mercury 499 00:22:42,294 --> 00:22:44,895 On two short sub-orbital flights. 500 00:22:44,963 --> 00:22:47,464 (upbeat music) 501 00:22:47,533 --> 00:22:50,167 But as nasa approaches its goal of putting humans 502 00:22:50,235 --> 00:22:52,436 Into a full earth orbit, 503 00:22:52,438 --> 00:22:56,306 It trades the redstone for the more powerful atlas. 504 00:22:56,375 --> 00:22:59,943 (rocket engine roaring) 505 00:22:59,946 --> 00:23:02,146 A rocket that tends to blow up, a lot. 506 00:23:03,950 --> 00:23:07,551 (rockets exploding) 507 00:23:07,620 --> 00:23:10,354 Malik: They needed to maybe keep going back to the drawing board 508 00:23:10,356 --> 00:23:13,524 To get it to a better rate of success. 509 00:23:13,592 --> 00:23:18,996 (rocket exploding) 510 00:23:19,064 --> 00:23:21,398 Narrator: Engineers persist. 511 00:23:21,401 --> 00:23:25,436 In 1962, they take the plunge and use the atlas 512 00:23:25,438 --> 00:23:27,905 To send the first american around the earth. 513 00:23:27,973 --> 00:23:29,974 (upbeat music) 514 00:23:30,042 --> 00:23:33,110 (crowd applauding) 515 00:23:33,178 --> 00:23:38,048 Nasa follows that with three more successful missions. 516 00:23:38,116 --> 00:23:42,119 (crowd clapping) (upbeat music) 517 00:23:42,121 --> 00:23:46,757 In 1964, america begins the flights for project gemini. 518 00:23:46,825 --> 00:23:48,225 (upbeat music) 519 00:23:48,294 --> 00:23:50,394 The program that will test the techniques 520 00:23:50,463 --> 00:23:51,462 To get to the moon. 521 00:23:53,732 --> 00:23:56,533 Nasa's new two-person spacecraft 522 00:23:56,536 --> 00:23:59,303 Needs to rest on the shoulders of a rocket 523 00:23:59,305 --> 00:24:00,871 Even bigger than the atlas. 524 00:24:00,939 --> 00:24:03,574 (suspense music) 525 00:24:03,642 --> 00:24:06,677 They choose the mighty titan ii, 526 00:24:06,745 --> 00:24:11,348 A rocket with more power and more risk. 527 00:24:11,417 --> 00:24:13,217 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 528 00:24:13,285 --> 00:24:15,552 Barry: The propellers that were used in the titan were designed 529 00:24:15,621 --> 00:24:18,956 To be simple and to instantaneously combust 530 00:24:18,958 --> 00:24:21,158 When they come in contact with each other. 531 00:24:21,227 --> 00:24:22,960 So that can be really dangerous. 532 00:24:23,028 --> 00:24:24,428 (rocket engine roars) 533 00:24:24,497 --> 00:24:26,263 Narrator: The first few missions go smoothly. 534 00:24:26,331 --> 00:24:28,799 America finally seems to be pulling ahead 535 00:24:28,801 --> 00:24:30,201 Of the soviets in space. 536 00:24:32,538 --> 00:24:36,240 Barry: Gemini really accelerates nasa from being constantly 537 00:24:36,308 --> 00:24:37,574 On a rebound, 538 00:24:37,643 --> 00:24:39,743 Reacting to soviet accomplishments in space 539 00:24:39,811 --> 00:24:41,745 To us being the ones setting the records. 540 00:24:41,813 --> 00:24:43,447 (rocket engine rumbling) 541 00:24:43,515 --> 00:24:45,616 Narrator: But on the sixth gemini mission, 542 00:24:45,684 --> 00:24:47,551 Problems with the titan threatened 543 00:24:47,619 --> 00:24:49,786 To delay nasa's entire program. 544 00:24:49,789 --> 00:24:53,357 (tense music) 545 00:24:53,425 --> 00:24:55,593 October 25, 1965, 546 00:24:56,728 --> 00:24:58,028 Cape kennedy, florida. 547 00:25:00,632 --> 00:25:04,335 Astronauts wally schirra and tom stafford 548 00:25:04,403 --> 00:25:06,937 Down a pre launch breakfast. 549 00:25:07,005 --> 00:25:08,739 In just a few hours, 550 00:25:08,807 --> 00:25:11,942 They'll suit up for gemini 6. 551 00:25:11,944 --> 00:25:14,912 Kluger: The mission of gemini 6 was to rendezvous 552 00:25:14,980 --> 00:25:18,615 And dock in space with an agena spacecraft. 553 00:25:18,618 --> 00:25:20,817 If there was a way to achieve a rendezvous 554 00:25:20,886 --> 00:25:22,753 With two vehicles in space, 555 00:25:22,821 --> 00:25:25,822 The us would have checked a big big box off 556 00:25:25,825 --> 00:25:28,292 On the milestone of things that it needed to achieve 557 00:25:28,360 --> 00:25:29,560 On the way to the moon. 558 00:25:29,628 --> 00:25:31,161 (soft music) 559 00:25:31,230 --> 00:25:33,697 Narrator: Miles away from the launch complex, 560 00:25:33,766 --> 00:25:35,098 Thousands of spectators 561 00:25:35,167 --> 00:25:37,668 Anticipate two spectacular launches. 562 00:25:37,736 --> 00:25:41,471 (suspense music) 563 00:25:41,540 --> 00:25:43,974 Kluger: The agena was supposed to go up first, 564 00:25:44,043 --> 00:25:46,343 And then one orbit later right 565 00:25:46,411 --> 00:25:48,879 When it's come back around the cape, 566 00:25:48,947 --> 00:25:51,915 Then off go wally and tom 567 00:25:51,984 --> 00:25:53,584 And they go chasing them in space. 568 00:25:55,454 --> 00:25:56,921 Narrator: On pad 14. 569 00:25:56,989 --> 00:25:58,956 Technicians make the final preparations 570 00:25:59,024 --> 00:26:00,958 For the unmanned agena. 571 00:26:00,960 --> 00:26:03,860 (soft music) 572 00:26:03,863 --> 00:26:05,496 Down the road on pad 19, 573 00:26:07,532 --> 00:26:09,867 Gemini 6 waits for its crew. 574 00:26:09,935 --> 00:26:14,538 (upbeat music) 575 00:26:16,975 --> 00:26:20,110 There's 15 minutes of pre-launch checks. 576 00:26:20,178 --> 00:26:21,745 (upbeat music) 577 00:26:21,747 --> 00:26:23,881 Mocr: Set up on 324, 578 00:26:23,949 --> 00:26:24,948 Ready for program sequence. 579 00:26:24,951 --> 00:26:27,217 Astronaut: Okay (indistinct) 580 00:26:30,423 --> 00:26:31,855 Narrator: At 10 in the morning, 581 00:26:31,923 --> 00:26:34,391 The launch team sends the agena skyward. 582 00:26:34,459 --> 00:26:39,463 (rocket engine rumbling) 583 00:26:39,531 --> 00:26:41,732 Six minutes into the agena's flight, 584 00:26:41,800 --> 00:26:44,602 (upbeat music) 585 00:26:44,670 --> 00:26:46,737 Tracking software signals trouble. 586 00:26:49,808 --> 00:26:52,175 Kluger: Its trajectory was off. 587 00:26:52,178 --> 00:26:53,777 (upbeat music) 588 00:26:53,779 --> 00:26:56,413 Then its trajectory stopped climbing. 589 00:26:58,384 --> 00:27:01,218 And then the single discrete image 590 00:27:01,220 --> 00:27:03,787 Of one vehicle moving upward, 591 00:27:03,789 --> 00:27:06,991 Turned into several scattered images 592 00:27:07,059 --> 00:27:09,426 Of many pieces of a vehicle moving downward. 593 00:27:10,862 --> 00:27:13,730 So there was an explosion of some kind 594 00:27:13,799 --> 00:27:15,899 That ripped the agena apart. 595 00:27:15,967 --> 00:27:17,401 (rocket exploding) 596 00:27:17,403 --> 00:27:20,704 At that point, they knew they had no mission. 597 00:27:20,772 --> 00:27:22,339 (tense music) 598 00:27:22,408 --> 00:27:24,808 Narrator: 50 minutes later, 599 00:27:24,876 --> 00:27:28,145 The astronauts' launch is officially canceled. 600 00:27:28,213 --> 00:27:31,949 (soft music) 601 00:27:32,017 --> 00:27:35,652 What should have been a major milestone for america's path 602 00:27:35,721 --> 00:27:36,687 Toward a lunar landing, 603 00:27:38,824 --> 00:27:39,823 Comes to not. 604 00:27:44,497 --> 00:27:45,696 Barry: Now the question is, 605 00:27:45,764 --> 00:27:47,164 "what you gonna rendezvous and dock with?" 606 00:27:47,232 --> 00:27:48,565 Because there wasn't another 607 00:27:48,634 --> 00:27:51,168 Backup agena vehicle immediately available. 608 00:27:54,339 --> 00:27:56,306 Narrator: Nasa doesn't have the luxury of dwelling 609 00:27:56,374 --> 00:27:57,541 On a failure. 610 00:27:58,677 --> 00:28:01,712 It's still in a race to the moon. 611 00:28:01,714 --> 00:28:04,181 Within days, top brass announce 612 00:28:04,249 --> 00:28:06,517 An even more ambitious plan; 613 00:28:06,585 --> 00:28:10,787 Two spacecraft will kiss instead of dock. 614 00:28:10,790 --> 00:28:13,190 Both of them will be manned. 615 00:28:13,258 --> 00:28:14,658 Kluger: What they came up with 616 00:28:14,660 --> 00:28:18,562 Was something that was pretty darn brilliant. 617 00:28:18,630 --> 00:28:19,630 (upbeat music) 618 00:28:19,698 --> 00:28:21,732 They said, "let's launch gemini 7 619 00:28:21,800 --> 00:28:24,668 And then a few days into their mission, 620 00:28:24,737 --> 00:28:26,770 Let tom and wally go up, 621 00:28:26,838 --> 00:28:29,706 And instead of simply docking 622 00:28:29,775 --> 00:28:30,941 With an unmanned agena, 623 00:28:30,943 --> 00:28:33,811 Let them rendezvous with gemini 7." 624 00:28:35,280 --> 00:28:36,913 Barry: Nasa realizes they won't be able to dock 625 00:28:36,982 --> 00:28:39,216 'cause there isn't a docking mechanism on a gemini capsule, 626 00:28:39,218 --> 00:28:41,685 But we could at least practice to rendezvous maneuver. 627 00:28:41,753 --> 00:28:44,654 (upbeat music) 628 00:28:44,723 --> 00:28:47,591 Narrator: The daring plan quickly gained support. 629 00:28:47,659 --> 00:28:49,159 (rocket engine rumbling) 630 00:28:49,227 --> 00:28:50,194 On December fourth 631 00:28:52,197 --> 00:28:55,766 Gemini 7 lifts off from cape kennedy air force station. 632 00:28:56,869 --> 00:28:58,835 Mocr: Rkaa kilometer solid. 633 00:28:58,904 --> 00:29:00,337 Gemini 7: Roger rkv 634 00:29:00,405 --> 00:29:03,907 (upbeat music) 635 00:29:03,909 --> 00:29:05,542 Narrator: Eight days later, 636 00:29:05,544 --> 00:29:08,912 Stafford and schirra make their way to the tower. 637 00:29:08,914 --> 00:29:12,582 (upbeat music) 638 00:29:12,585 --> 00:29:14,151 They strap into their seats 639 00:29:14,219 --> 00:29:16,586 For launch attempt number two. 640 00:29:16,589 --> 00:29:20,190 (slow music) 641 00:29:20,259 --> 00:29:22,192 (calm air whooshing) 642 00:29:22,194 --> 00:29:26,997 Mocr: Four, three, two, one, zero. 643 00:29:27,065 --> 00:29:28,799 Narrator: The rocket emits its trademark 644 00:29:28,867 --> 00:29:30,267 High pitch scream. 645 00:29:30,335 --> 00:29:34,204 (rocket engine rumbling) 646 00:29:34,273 --> 00:29:36,607 Mocr: Ignition ignite. 647 00:29:36,675 --> 00:29:38,141 Kluger: The engines light, 648 00:29:38,210 --> 00:29:42,612 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 649 00:29:42,615 --> 00:29:44,314 You got the smoke and you got the excitement 650 00:29:44,316 --> 00:29:45,616 Of a lift off about to happen 651 00:29:46,752 --> 00:29:49,019 And then nothing. 652 00:29:49,021 --> 00:29:50,954 (space shuttle engine dying) 653 00:29:51,022 --> 00:29:53,390 Sot: No lift off, engines have shut down. 654 00:29:53,458 --> 00:29:56,827 (rocket engine rumbling) 655 00:29:56,895 --> 00:29:58,428 Narrator: In the capsule, 656 00:29:58,496 --> 00:30:00,931 Schirra notes the liftoff clock with alarm. 657 00:30:03,302 --> 00:30:06,903 It warns him that the rocket has already lifted off 658 00:30:06,906 --> 00:30:07,938 From the ground. 659 00:30:08,006 --> 00:30:10,473 (suspense music) 660 00:30:10,542 --> 00:30:13,910 Kluger: Wally knew "if your rocket 661 00:30:13,979 --> 00:30:15,546 Lifts even a few inches off the pad, 662 00:30:17,849 --> 00:30:19,783 And then settles back down. 663 00:30:21,053 --> 00:30:24,754 The concussion of that rocket settling back down 664 00:30:24,823 --> 00:30:26,557 Is going to 'cause the rocket to explode. 665 00:30:28,560 --> 00:30:31,027 And you are going to die." 666 00:30:31,096 --> 00:30:34,464 (upbeat music) 667 00:30:35,100 --> 00:30:37,734 (upbeat music) 668 00:30:37,803 --> 00:30:40,504 Narrator: In the firing room at cape kennedy, 669 00:30:40,572 --> 00:30:42,072 Flight controllers wait to see 670 00:30:42,140 --> 00:30:45,075 If gemini 6's titan ii rocket will explode. 671 00:30:45,143 --> 00:30:49,412 (upbeat music) 672 00:30:49,481 --> 00:30:53,217 The two astronauts inside must decide if they should eject. 673 00:30:53,285 --> 00:30:55,519 (upbeat music) 674 00:30:57,223 --> 00:30:59,155 Kluger: They had one way out, 675 00:30:59,158 --> 00:31:01,859 And that was for a wally to pull a d ring. 676 00:31:03,762 --> 00:31:07,898 And that d ring would have exploded the doors 677 00:31:07,966 --> 00:31:10,701 With a force greater than a dozen gs. 678 00:31:10,769 --> 00:31:15,572 (upbeat music) 679 00:31:17,342 --> 00:31:22,512 Wally schirra despite what the instruments told him, 680 00:31:22,580 --> 00:31:25,548 Did not feel that rocket rise 681 00:31:25,617 --> 00:31:26,984 And then bump down. 682 00:31:27,052 --> 00:31:31,054 And he said, "I know what the instruments are telling me 683 00:31:31,122 --> 00:31:34,457 But I also know what every piloting instinct I have 684 00:31:34,460 --> 00:31:35,759 Is telling me 685 00:31:35,827 --> 00:31:37,794 And I'm not touching that abort ring." 686 00:31:37,796 --> 00:31:39,663 (tense music) 687 00:31:39,665 --> 00:31:41,498 Narrator: It's a split second gamble. 688 00:31:42,901 --> 00:31:44,968 Command center quickly checks the data. 689 00:31:46,872 --> 00:31:51,174 Confirmed, gemini 6a never left the ground. 690 00:31:51,176 --> 00:31:52,976 (upbeat music) 691 00:31:53,044 --> 00:31:56,346 Kluger: Next thing they heard was schirra telling them 692 00:31:56,414 --> 00:31:59,649 That the pressure was going down inside the fuel tanks. 693 00:31:59,718 --> 00:32:01,251 (soft music) 694 00:32:01,319 --> 00:32:02,352 Schirra: I'm watching the fuel pressure 695 00:32:02,354 --> 00:32:04,487 Lower very carefully. 696 00:32:04,490 --> 00:32:06,856 Kluger: That was exactly what's supposed to happen 697 00:32:06,925 --> 00:32:08,425 If the engine shut down 698 00:32:08,493 --> 00:32:12,829 And the rocket does not rise off the ground at all. 699 00:32:12,897 --> 00:32:15,665 Wally had made the exact right choice. 700 00:32:15,734 --> 00:32:18,902 (soft music) 701 00:32:18,971 --> 00:32:20,804 Narrator: Schirra's split second decision 702 00:32:20,872 --> 00:32:23,440 May have saved his life and stafford's. 703 00:32:26,378 --> 00:32:29,512 But the mission's second launch failure 704 00:32:29,581 --> 00:32:32,449 Threatens to derail the rendezvous with gemini 7. 705 00:32:35,387 --> 00:32:37,187 Kluger: There was a limit to how long 706 00:32:37,255 --> 00:32:38,922 They could keep gemini 7 up there. 707 00:32:40,793 --> 00:32:43,860 If gemini 6 could not get back off the ground 708 00:32:43,929 --> 00:32:46,329 Before the end of the gemini 7 mission, 709 00:32:46,398 --> 00:32:48,932 You would not have your rendezvous in space. 710 00:32:49,001 --> 00:32:53,704 (tense music) 711 00:32:56,074 --> 00:32:59,109 Narrator: Three days after the second failed launch, 712 00:32:59,177 --> 00:33:01,578 Schirra and stafford get the go ahead 713 00:33:01,646 --> 00:33:03,913 For one last desperate try. 714 00:33:03,982 --> 00:33:07,550 (soft music) 715 00:33:07,619 --> 00:33:12,055 Mocr: Five, four, three, two, one. 716 00:33:12,123 --> 00:33:16,426 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 717 00:33:16,495 --> 00:33:18,462 Steering looks good from here gemini 6. 718 00:33:19,597 --> 00:33:21,998 (rocket rumbling) 719 00:33:22,001 --> 00:33:24,567 Narrator: High above cape canaveral, 720 00:33:24,570 --> 00:33:28,671 The astronauts of gemini 7 looked down at the launch pad, 721 00:33:28,740 --> 00:33:31,841 Waiting anxiously to see if the lift off works. 722 00:33:31,910 --> 00:33:33,777 (soft music) 723 00:33:33,845 --> 00:33:36,312 Kluger: They heard that gemini 6 have lifted off. 724 00:33:36,315 --> 00:33:38,148 (somber music) 725 00:33:38,216 --> 00:33:40,517 And at long last, 726 00:33:40,585 --> 00:33:43,887 Tom stafford and wally schirra were on their way to space. 727 00:33:43,955 --> 00:33:46,823 (somber music) 728 00:33:46,891 --> 00:33:48,691 Narrator: Three orbits later, 729 00:33:48,760 --> 00:33:51,795 Gemini 6 finds the gemini 7 capsule. 730 00:33:51,797 --> 00:33:56,466 (somber music) 731 00:33:56,535 --> 00:33:59,035 Mocr sot: Gemini 6 how you doing up there? 732 00:33:59,038 --> 00:34:00,070 Gemini 6: Very good. 733 00:34:01,372 --> 00:34:03,273 Narrator: Schirra brings gemini 6 734 00:34:03,341 --> 00:34:05,575 To within a foot of gemini 7. 735 00:34:08,413 --> 00:34:10,213 Mocr sot:Hello gemini 6, this is 7, 736 00:34:10,215 --> 00:34:11,247 How do you read? 737 00:34:11,250 --> 00:34:13,917 Gemini 6: Reading loud and clear. 738 00:34:13,919 --> 00:34:15,919 Narrator: The spaceships fly nose-to-nose 739 00:34:15,987 --> 00:34:17,821 For nearly four hours. 740 00:34:17,889 --> 00:34:19,823 (soft music) 741 00:34:19,891 --> 00:34:22,859 The world's first rendezvous in space 742 00:34:22,927 --> 00:34:24,594 Is a rousing success. 743 00:34:24,662 --> 00:34:26,496 (soft music) 744 00:34:26,498 --> 00:34:29,699 Schirra: Rodger, boy we did it. 745 00:34:29,768 --> 00:34:31,701 Mocr sot: Rodger, congratulations. 746 00:34:31,703 --> 00:34:36,506 (flight directors clap) (soft music) 747 00:34:40,512 --> 00:34:42,745 Narrator: The titan ii rocket makes it possible 748 00:34:42,814 --> 00:34:45,582 For 20 astronauts to fine-tune the techniques 749 00:34:45,650 --> 00:34:47,050 Of human spaceflight. 750 00:34:47,052 --> 00:34:50,220 (upbeat music) 751 00:34:50,288 --> 00:34:54,224 Next, nasa turns its focus to landing astronauts 752 00:34:54,292 --> 00:34:55,258 On the moon. 753 00:34:55,727 --> 00:34:57,327 To do that, 754 00:34:57,329 --> 00:34:59,028 America will rely 755 00:34:59,097 --> 00:35:01,832 On the largest most powerful rocket ever built, 756 00:35:02,467 --> 00:35:04,668 The mighty saturn v. 757 00:35:07,339 --> 00:35:09,773 Narrator: The rocket's design goes from sketchpad 758 00:35:09,841 --> 00:35:12,409 To launchpad in just six years. 759 00:35:13,845 --> 00:35:16,679 It's an incredible feat for a rocket with more 760 00:35:16,682 --> 00:35:18,849 Than five and a half million parts. 761 00:35:21,619 --> 00:35:23,186 Teitel: It was a far more complicated 762 00:35:23,254 --> 00:35:24,554 And sophisticated rocket 763 00:35:24,623 --> 00:35:25,722 Than previous ones. 764 00:35:27,493 --> 00:35:28,825 One thing goes wrong 765 00:35:28,827 --> 00:35:31,027 And the entire rocket stack can be compromised. 766 00:35:33,131 --> 00:35:34,831 Narrator: Normally a new piece of equipment 767 00:35:34,833 --> 00:35:36,800 Goes through years of rigorous testing. 768 00:35:38,703 --> 00:35:40,837 But it's 1967 769 00:35:40,906 --> 00:35:42,472 And nasa is in a rush. 770 00:35:44,576 --> 00:35:46,976 Kluger: And the russians were still very much 771 00:35:46,979 --> 00:35:48,878 In the space race. 772 00:35:48,947 --> 00:35:52,215 The cia and other intelligence services knew 773 00:35:52,283 --> 00:35:54,718 That the soviets were working on a heavy lift rocket, 774 00:35:54,786 --> 00:35:56,720 Just like the saturn v. 775 00:35:56,788 --> 00:35:58,989 And they were trying to get men to the moon, 776 00:35:59,057 --> 00:36:00,123 Just like we were. 777 00:36:01,326 --> 00:36:02,592 Teitel: Nasa was starting to fall 778 00:36:02,661 --> 00:36:06,429 A little bit behind schedule. 779 00:36:06,497 --> 00:36:10,066 To this point, nasa only tested stages of the saturn v. 780 00:36:10,068 --> 00:36:12,569 (upbeat music) 781 00:36:14,772 --> 00:36:16,740 Narrator: To stay ahead of the soviets, 782 00:36:16,808 --> 00:36:18,441 Nasa takes a bold gamble. 783 00:36:19,844 --> 00:36:22,746 They schedule what they call an all-up test. 784 00:36:22,814 --> 00:36:24,748 (upbeat music) 785 00:36:24,816 --> 00:36:28,051 On the very first run through of the unmanned rocket, 786 00:36:28,119 --> 00:36:30,220 Every stage will be live. 787 00:36:30,222 --> 00:36:32,555 (upbeat music) 788 00:36:32,624 --> 00:36:35,625 Kluger: An all-up test means you're not doing anything 789 00:36:35,627 --> 00:36:38,695 A piece at a time, you are building this rocket 790 00:36:38,763 --> 00:36:41,931 And you are launching it as if three human beings 791 00:36:42,000 --> 00:36:44,534 Were in the command module at the top of the rocket. 792 00:36:46,371 --> 00:36:48,838 Narrator: On the morning of November 9, 793 00:36:48,906 --> 00:36:51,007 (rocket rumbling) 794 00:36:51,075 --> 00:36:53,576 A brand new rocket soars into the sky 795 00:36:53,579 --> 00:36:55,245 With astonishing force. 796 00:36:55,313 --> 00:36:56,246 (upbeat music) 797 00:36:56,314 --> 00:37:00,583 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 798 00:37:00,652 --> 00:37:03,052 Cronkite: Oh, its terrific its split glass windows 799 00:37:03,055 --> 00:37:04,087 (indistinct) in our hands. 800 00:37:05,623 --> 00:37:07,390 Look at that rocket go! 801 00:37:07,458 --> 00:37:10,526 (upbeat music) 802 00:37:10,529 --> 00:37:13,463 Kluger: It was just the sweetest mission 803 00:37:13,531 --> 00:37:15,432 You ever wanted to see. 804 00:37:15,500 --> 00:37:18,001 It was the biggest rocket we'd ever flown. 805 00:37:18,069 --> 00:37:21,638 It did exactly what it was supposed to do. 806 00:37:21,706 --> 00:37:22,939 It did it safely. 807 00:37:23,008 --> 00:37:24,474 It did it well. 808 00:37:24,542 --> 00:37:26,776 (upbeat music) 809 00:37:26,844 --> 00:37:28,411 Narrator: Engineers celebrate. 810 00:37:28,480 --> 00:37:29,846 (upbeat music) 811 00:37:29,914 --> 00:37:32,482 America's space program seems to be on track. 812 00:37:35,454 --> 00:37:40,290 Nasa quickly schedules one more unmanned flight, apollo 6. 813 00:37:41,426 --> 00:37:42,825 Kluger: Nasa said, "we're gonna see 814 00:37:42,828 --> 00:37:45,395 If we can get another perfect flight out of it 815 00:37:45,397 --> 00:37:48,798 Because if we can, we can fly people on it." 816 00:37:48,866 --> 00:37:51,901 (upbeat music) 817 00:37:51,970 --> 00:37:54,871 Narrator: April 4th, 1968, 818 00:37:54,939 --> 00:37:57,840 The unmanned saturn v 819 00:37:57,909 --> 00:38:02,078 Takes off with a mighty thunder from launch pad 39. 820 00:38:02,080 --> 00:38:03,246 Mocr sot: General program started, 38:28 821 00:38:03,315 --> 00:38:06,316 All five f-1 engines firing and looking good. 822 00:38:06,384 --> 00:38:08,718 Narrator: Then, just 110 seconds 823 00:38:08,787 --> 00:38:11,254 Into apollo vi's flight, 824 00:38:11,323 --> 00:38:12,722 Mocr sot: Coming up on a point 825 00:38:12,791 --> 00:38:13,823 Of maximum aerodynamic pressure 826 00:38:13,892 --> 00:38:14,924 On the vehicle. 827 00:38:14,992 --> 00:38:16,593 Now we're standing by. 828 00:38:16,661 --> 00:38:19,629 Teitel: And they experienced what is called the pogo effect. 829 00:38:19,697 --> 00:38:20,997 (upbeat music) 830 00:38:21,066 --> 00:38:22,432 There's a lot of shaking on the rocket 831 00:38:22,500 --> 00:38:25,134 And basically the engine surges 832 00:38:25,137 --> 00:38:27,937 And pushes back against the incoming fuel. 833 00:38:27,939 --> 00:38:30,440 (upbeat music) 834 00:38:33,277 --> 00:38:34,844 Narrator: Within seconds, 835 00:38:34,912 --> 00:38:37,413 Panels begin to fall from the rocket. 836 00:38:37,416 --> 00:38:41,284 (upbeat music) 837 00:38:41,353 --> 00:38:43,653 If the pogo continues, 838 00:38:43,655 --> 00:38:47,524 It could shake apollo vi to disaster. 839 00:38:51,029 --> 00:38:53,796 In houston, mission control monitors 840 00:38:53,865 --> 00:38:56,132 It's crucial saturn v test flight. 841 00:38:57,902 --> 00:39:00,837 Damaging vibrations on the rockets first stage 842 00:39:00,905 --> 00:39:02,806 Are soon followed by something worse, 843 00:39:04,042 --> 00:39:06,376 Two engines on the second stage rocket 844 00:39:06,444 --> 00:39:08,712 Shut down just moments into flight. 845 00:39:12,016 --> 00:39:14,217 Kluger: You have a spacecraft 846 00:39:14,285 --> 00:39:17,954 That has almost shaken itself to bits halfway to space 847 00:39:19,924 --> 00:39:21,958 And then the rest of the way to space is trying 848 00:39:22,026 --> 00:39:25,161 To hobble there on one fewer engine than it needs. 849 00:39:27,098 --> 00:39:29,766 Narrator: Flight controllers quickly adjust. 850 00:39:29,834 --> 00:39:32,769 They use the saturn's onboard guiding system 851 00:39:32,837 --> 00:39:35,505 To help the spaceship stumble towards a more stable path. 852 00:39:38,276 --> 00:39:40,476 Teitel: Mission control had to get a little bit creative 853 00:39:40,545 --> 00:39:42,812 In figuring out how to salvage the mission. 854 00:39:43,948 --> 00:39:45,581 Nasa decided to use 855 00:39:45,650 --> 00:39:48,284 The command module's service propulsion system engine 856 00:39:48,286 --> 00:39:50,854 To actually push it up into a higher orbit. 857 00:39:50,922 --> 00:39:53,623 (upbeat music) 858 00:39:53,691 --> 00:39:56,059 Narrator: Nearly 10 hours after the launch, 859 00:39:58,229 --> 00:40:00,663 Apollo vi's command module 860 00:40:00,731 --> 00:40:03,233 Splashes down in the pacific ocean. 861 00:40:03,301 --> 00:40:06,235 (soft music) 862 00:40:06,238 --> 00:40:07,937 Nasa may have salvaged the mission, 863 00:40:09,374 --> 00:40:11,908 But they considered the saturn v test flight 864 00:40:11,976 --> 00:40:12,976 A disaster. 865 00:40:15,012 --> 00:40:18,848 Kluger: That was a rocket that had misbehaved, badly 866 00:40:18,917 --> 00:40:21,384 In what was supposed to be its last flight 867 00:40:21,386 --> 00:40:24,353 Before human beings were trusted to board it. 868 00:40:24,356 --> 00:40:25,789 Had astronauts been on board, 869 00:40:25,857 --> 00:40:28,057 There is some question about whether 870 00:40:28,059 --> 00:40:30,426 Pogoing would have been survivable. 871 00:40:30,495 --> 00:40:34,130 (upbeat music) 872 00:40:34,198 --> 00:40:35,665 Narrator: Hundreds of dedicated engineers 873 00:40:35,733 --> 00:40:37,066 Set their minds 874 00:40:37,134 --> 00:40:38,301 To solve the problem. 875 00:40:39,537 --> 00:40:41,671 They fix wiring errors, 876 00:40:41,673 --> 00:40:43,773 Redesigned fuel lines, 877 00:40:43,842 --> 00:40:47,977 And retune the engines to prevent vibrations. 878 00:40:48,045 --> 00:40:52,882 Kluger: The fix was so elegant that nasa convinced itself, 879 00:40:52,951 --> 00:40:54,851 "we can fly this thing. 880 00:40:54,919 --> 00:40:57,554 And the next time we launch a saturn v, 881 00:40:57,622 --> 00:40:58,621 People will be aboard it." 882 00:41:00,058 --> 00:41:01,657 Narrator: Just eight months after 883 00:41:01,726 --> 00:41:03,760 The saturn v troubled second flight, 884 00:41:05,196 --> 00:41:06,996 The risky rocket launches one 885 00:41:07,064 --> 00:41:09,666 Of human kind's most historic missions. 886 00:41:09,734 --> 00:41:13,536 (space shuttle engine roaring) 887 00:41:13,604 --> 00:41:15,104 Teitel: Eight months later, 888 00:41:15,172 --> 00:41:17,974 A full saturn v launched apollo 8 and its crew 889 00:41:18,042 --> 00:41:19,375 To the moon. 890 00:41:19,443 --> 00:41:21,210 (space shuttle engine rumbling) 891 00:41:21,213 --> 00:41:23,579 Narrator: Over the next five years, 892 00:41:23,582 --> 00:41:27,717 The saturn v makes it possible for 12 human beings 893 00:41:27,785 --> 00:41:29,619 To walk on the moon's surface. 894 00:41:31,489 --> 00:41:35,291 In 1973, it has its swans on, 895 00:41:35,359 --> 00:41:37,861 Ferrying skylab into orbit. 896 00:41:37,929 --> 00:41:40,096 Mocr: Skylab, lifting off of air now 897 00:41:40,164 --> 00:41:41,164 Moving up. 898 00:41:42,300 --> 00:41:44,066 Skylab is through with the tower. 899 00:41:44,135 --> 00:41:46,035 (upbeat music) 900 00:41:46,104 --> 00:41:48,938 Narrator: It's a dramatic ending for the most famous 901 00:41:49,007 --> 00:41:50,907 And powerful rocket 902 00:41:50,975 --> 00:41:53,142 The world has ever launched. 903 00:41:53,210 --> 00:41:54,744 (crowd applauding) 904 00:41:54,812 --> 00:41:57,447 (upbeat music) 905 00:42:00,819 --> 00:42:03,219 For the next 46 years, 906 00:42:03,288 --> 00:42:06,822 Engineers all over the world try to build rockets 907 00:42:06,825 --> 00:42:08,891 To launch their own spacecraft. 908 00:42:08,960 --> 00:42:10,693 (upbeat music) 909 00:42:10,762 --> 00:42:12,695 Barry: We actually trained people from various countries, 910 00:42:12,764 --> 00:42:15,231 And then if those engineers brought those technologies 911 00:42:15,300 --> 00:42:16,532 To their home countries, 912 00:42:16,601 --> 00:42:19,468 So united states has been actively encouraging 913 00:42:19,537 --> 00:42:21,203 The proliferation 914 00:42:21,272 --> 00:42:22,839 Of space technologies around the world. 915 00:42:22,907 --> 00:42:23,873 (rumbling) 916 00:42:23,941 --> 00:42:25,474 Narrator: Yet even today, 917 00:42:25,543 --> 00:42:28,311 Getting off the ground is a constant challenge. 918 00:42:28,379 --> 00:42:31,614 (rocket engine explodes) 919 00:42:31,682 --> 00:42:33,516 Mocr: Two, one. 920 00:42:33,518 --> 00:42:34,850 In america, 921 00:42:34,853 --> 00:42:38,454 Private companies like blue origin and spacex 922 00:42:38,522 --> 00:42:40,656 Strive to launch humankind 923 00:42:40,725 --> 00:42:43,659 Into a new age of space exploration. 924 00:42:43,662 --> 00:42:45,661 Mocr: ...Which led to a failure of the mission. 925 00:42:45,664 --> 00:42:48,731 Narrator: Setbacks go with the territory. 926 00:42:48,733 --> 00:42:50,733 Announcer: We are collecting data. 927 00:42:50,802 --> 00:42:53,669 Malik: Spacex's first four launches failed 928 00:42:53,672 --> 00:42:56,306 Because the rockets are just hard to perfect. 929 00:42:57,808 --> 00:43:00,676 Brand new vehicles have more unknowns especially 930 00:43:00,745 --> 00:43:01,944 On their early test flights. 931 00:43:01,947 --> 00:43:04,213 Mocr: One, zero, ignition. 932 00:43:04,282 --> 00:43:06,749 Narrator: On may 30, 2020 933 00:43:06,751 --> 00:43:10,186 Mocr: (indistinct) god speed 934 00:43:10,254 --> 00:43:12,221 Spacex launches the falcon 9. 935 00:43:12,223 --> 00:43:15,258 (upbeat music) 936 00:43:15,326 --> 00:43:17,526 It's the first time humans have reached space 937 00:43:17,595 --> 00:43:20,630 From american soil, in nearly a decade. 938 00:43:20,698 --> 00:43:24,233 (upbeat music) 939 00:43:24,302 --> 00:43:26,836 Soon, private space companies hope 940 00:43:26,904 --> 00:43:30,139 To launch rockets carrying up to 100 passengers 941 00:43:30,207 --> 00:43:33,142 All the way to mars. 942 00:43:33,210 --> 00:43:34,543 Massimino: We're designing new rockets 943 00:43:34,612 --> 00:43:37,413 That will be taking people to the space station and beyond. 944 00:43:38,049 --> 00:43:42,518 (upbeat music) 945 00:43:42,586 --> 00:43:43,853 Narrator: Each successful launch 946 00:43:45,322 --> 00:43:47,223 Propels more than a rocket. 947 00:43:49,326 --> 00:43:51,894 It sends the spirit of humanity soaring 948 00:43:51,896 --> 00:43:54,797 (upbeat music) 949 00:43:54,866 --> 00:43:58,468 On the greatest adventure ever conceived.