The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth

I was quite young and still at school when the Columbia shuttle disintegrated on re-entry into the Earth's atmosphere. 9/11 had happened not long ago and there was war in Afghanistan and Iraq so it kinda passed me by, but I do remember the footage taken from the ground of the suttle breaking up. It's one of those images that stays with you (like the planes on 9/11 or the challenger disaster, even though I was not alive for the latter I remember seeing it on TV when I was young and the memory is very vivid).

This short series does a fantastic job of telling the story of what happened, with footage of both technical aspects of the shuttle program and also the human stories of the crew and their families. We see what they saw as they walked along the gantry into the shuttle, and as they are being strapped in. We experience the wait between this moment and the moment the engines burst into life as they start their journey into space.

This series is also a study of safety failure in a complex system. As is almost always the case, catastrophic failure was caused by multiple connected events in multiple different sub-systems, and there was not enough hollistic thinking about the shuttle and what was expected from it as a whole. The world has changed a lot in the last 20 years, and a lot of work has been done to improve safety in complex systems (including at NASA itself), but this program shows so well the human cost when things go wrong.

I highly recommend you watch this series, it's fantastic, extremely sad, and "not a minute is wasted throughout the three hours" (The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth review, Lucy Mangan, The Guardian)

Numerous people die daily in car crashes; but there's something horrific about reviewing the two disasters that affected the U. S. Space Shuttle programme, and the sense that people were sent to deaths they had absolutely no chance of doing anything about. This series follows the second, and less talked about, tragedy. The story is that the type of incident that doomed the Columbia could have been foreseen; NASA's management were insufficiently alarmed by the warning signs, and the huge cost of halting the programme was very likely a factor, even if a subsconscious one, in driving what in hingsight was obviously an error of judgement. If the failure was theoretically an avoidable one, it nonetheless does not feel surprising that it happened. One is left with a sense of admiration for the foolhardy courage of those who chose to fly; and wondering how long it will be before anyone follows again in their path.

This is an excellent documentary charting the Columbia disaster and the internal working at NASA during the crisis.

The miniseries is just the right length, and tone, and gets to all the key points without hyperbole or dwelling too long on any one aspect. All the major characters, including the media, are addressed and looked at with probity.

In fact, I think this should be taught at business schools as a case study on decision making especially in assessing negative information to make decisions on the fly and charting future actions.

One of the very rare 10/10 for me. Highly highly recommend.

"The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth" is a poignant and captivating documentary that delves into the aftermath of the Columbia accident with grace and respect. Through the lens of brave family members and dedicated NASA employees, the film offers a profound exploration of the human toll and the organizational dynamics at play.

One of the documentary's most compelling aspects is its spotlight on the courageous family members who grapple with the loss of their loved ones. Their resilience and willingness to share their stories provide a deeply moving insight into the human experience amidst tragedy.

Equally commendable is the portrayal of the NASA employees who faced immense challenges and scrutiny following the accident. Their unwavering commitment to space exploration and their candid reflections on the events leading up to the disaster offer viewers a rare glimpse into the complexities of space missions and the weight of responsibility carried by those involved.

Moreover, the documentary sheds light on the management structure within NASA, drawing parallels to corporate structures of the 1960s. By revealing shocking revelations and disturbing truths, it prompts critical reflections on accountability, safety protocols, and the ethical considerations inherent in space exploration.

Overall, "The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth" is a thought-provoking and emotionally resonant documentary that honors the memory of the seven lives lost while sparking meaningful conversations about the future of space exploration and the imperative of learning from past tragedies.