8.559 minSeason 1 • Episode 3
LatestSixteen minutes from landing, mission control lose contact with the crew. The fears of some Nasa engineers are coming true. Following the disaster, Nasa comes under pressure to give answers.
In 2003, Space Shuttle Columbia breaks apart in the skies above America. The astronauts’ families and Nasa staff share personal stories of the launch, unfolding disaster and fallout.
Editing
Seamless weaving of family home video with mission control audio.
Sound
That final radio static will live in your nightmares.
Direction
Lets astronauts' families steer the narrative, not NASA.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
Foam striking the shuttle was a known issue since 1981; STS-107 managers literally had a betting pool on when it would finally kill someone.
The 'Columbia 7' families became unlikely advocates, forcing Congress to pass the largest whistleblower protections in NASA history—something Challenger families never achieved.
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