The race to get the first American in space started long before Neil Armstrong walked on the moon. Meet the daring pilots and astronauts who laid the groundwork for that giant leap for mankind, and see the catastrophic losses they endured in the process.
From searing heat to incredible speed and risky landings, returning to earth is one of the most dangerous phases of spaceflight. Explore the early challenges the United States and the Soviet Union experienced during this critical stage.
When you’re in space, a quick fix can mean the difference between life and death. From deadly chemical leaks to deep-space collisions, hear about some of the most daring emergency patch jobs ever attempted from astronauts who lived to tell the tale.
No matter how advanced space exploration becomes, there’s one factor that’s always unpredictable: humans. From learning to think quickly in an emergency to dealing with a broken space toilet, see how human ingenuity affects the success of a mission.
Space exploration involves braving extreme weather conditions, from volatile temperatures to space-shuttle lightning strikes. Learn how NASA overcomes some of nature’s deadliest challenges.
Controlling the explosion that gets a rocket off the ground is complicated, and it’s where space missions sometimes end in spectacular failures. Learn about some of the most dramatic launch disasters and see how technology evolves to prevent them.
