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All three engines up and burning.
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Two, one, zero, and liftoff!
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The final liftoff of Atlantis.
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July 8, 2011.
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...Continue the dream.
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The Space Shuttle Atlantis
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blasts off from the Kennedy Space Center.
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Houston now controlling
the flight of Atlantis.
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The Space Shuttle spreads its wings.
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This would be the last time
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that a space shuttle would take flight.
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The National Aeronautics
and Space Administration,
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or NASA,
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had worked tirelessly
to build five shuttles.
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Since the inaugural flight in 1981,
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these spacecraft had journeyed
between Earth and space.
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This is the final page in the story
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of the Space Shuttle program.
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Columbia, Challenger,
Discovery, Endeavour,
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and Atlantis.
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For 30 years, this orbiter fleet
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led the world's exploration of space.
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355 astronauts from 16 countries
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flew on the shuttles,
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carrying out a variety of missions.
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One of the program's biggest achievements
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was the deployment of the
Hubble Space Telescope,
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which provides remarkable images
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of our mysterious universe.
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The International Space Station,
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where astronauts live and research,
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could not have been constructed
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without the aid of the space shuttles.
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But the story of the Space Shuttle program
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was not without its share of hardship.
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When building the shuttles,
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NASA faced multiple
technological challenges.
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It took 10 years to develop the world's
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first reusable spacecraft.
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In two separate tragedies,
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the lives of 14 astronauts were lost
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when the shuttles exploded.
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But NASA overcame these obstacles,
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and the shuttles continued to fly.
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The passion of its dedicated
astronauts and engineers
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kept the Space Shuttle program going.
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The shuttles carried with them
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our dreams and unyielding desire
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to explore the vast expanses of space.
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We trace the 30-year
history of the shuttles
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that led man's journey to outer space
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on today's "Cosmic Front."
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Huntsville, Alabama,
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is home to the U.S. Space
and Rocket Center.
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Every year, about 20,000 children
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from around the world visit here.
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They are participating
in the immensely popular
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Space Camp program.
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Let's see that bunny hop.
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Let's see you jump.
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There you go, lots of hands!
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Let me see you smiling.
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There you go!
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This microgravity training chair
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simulates what one sixth of the
earth's gravity feels like,
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making you feel like you're
walking on the moon.
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There we go!
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Wave to the people down on Earth!
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The multiaxis training simulator
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creates the sensation of what it's like
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to lose control of a spacecraft.
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Whoo!
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The camp's most popular attraction
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is one in which visitors perform work
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outside the spacecraft.
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Alright, now go to your right.
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Alright, stop.
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Don't cross your legs.
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Satellite repairs are made
from the robotic arm.
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Almost everyone has seen this on television
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or in magazine articles.
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The shuttles have brought space
exploration closer to us.
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A graduate of Space Camp
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has even gone on to
become a real astronaut.
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Dorothy Metcalf-Lindenburger
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attended the camp when she
was in junior high school.
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20 years later in 2010,
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she was aboard the Space Shuttle
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for a mission to the
International Space Station.
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The Space Shuttle is a
spacecraft that can make
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multiple journeys to space and back,
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carrying passengers and cargo.
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It has a length of about 60 meters,
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and a total weight of
about 2,000 metric tons.
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It is one of the largest
rockets in the world.
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The Shuttle is propelled
by three main engines
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and two solid rocket boosters on its sides.
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Four, three... The
five engines produce
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more than 3,000 tons of thrust.
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Liftoff for Space Shuttle Discovery.
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Roger After being launched,
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the shuttle makes a rapid ascent.
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It reduces its acceleration temporarily
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to counteract the stress
imposed on its body,
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and then picks up speed again.
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Two minutes after takeoff,
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the rocket boosters are exhausted
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and ejected into the ocean.
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They are later retrieved for reuse.
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The external fuel tank is also jettisoned.
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It is the only component
that is not reused.
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The backside of the Shuttle
houses a large payload bay
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which has the capacity to carry
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a little more than 20 tons of cargo.
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When needed, laboratories that are used
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to perform various experiments
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are installed in the cargo area.
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Inside the Shuttle's nose under the cockpit
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are the living quarters.
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Up to seven crew members who
work in shifts reside here.
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From the cockpit, the large robotic arm
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attached to the Shuttle can be maneuvered.
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After completing its mission,
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the Space Shuttle reduces its speed
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to reenter the earth's atmosphere.
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Hurdling towards Earth,
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it faces temperatures hot
enough to melt steel.
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Approximately 30,000 heat-resistant tiles
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protect the spacecraft and its crew.
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These tiles also help to
ensure that the Shuttle
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can be reused.
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After reentering the earth's atmosphere,
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the Shuttle uses its wings
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to glide through the air and land.
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With reusable components
enabling it to make
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multiple journeys into space,
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the Shuttle was a
groundbreaking spacecraft.
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It was a short journey.
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And to the ship that has led
the way time and time again,
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we say farewell, Discovery.
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In the 1960's, the American space program
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set its sights on the moon.
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The race between the United
States and the Soviet Union
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to land a man on the moon
was won by the Americans
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when Apollo 11 made its
lunar landing in 1969.
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However, the Vietnam War was becoming
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increasingly contentious
during the same time period.
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The increase in military spending
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led to budget cuts for the space program.
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In 1970, the end of the Apollo program
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was officially announced.
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But NASA had not abandoned its
dreams of exploring space,
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and was already taking steps
towards an ambitious new plan.
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One that involved building a space station.
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In order to travel beyond
the moon to other planets,
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a space station was required
to gather knowledge
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about spending an extended
period of time in outer space.
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Multiple trips to transport astronauts
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and components to the earth's orbit
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would be necessary to
build the space station.
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NASA decided to build a
cost-efficient spacecraft
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that could make numerous journeys
between Earth and space.
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But coming up with a design
for a reusable space vehicle
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proved to be a challenge.
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It began developing the
Space Shuttle in 1972,
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the same year of the last lunar landing.
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Bob Thompson headed the project.
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He was the Space Shuttle Program Manager
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for 11 years.
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Thompson had been involved in
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all of the previous manned space programs:
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Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo.
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The design and construction
of the Space Shuttle
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was his final undertaking.
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He began by reevaluating the technology
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developed for the Apollo program,
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analyzing the very
foundation it was based on.
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We didn't try to reuse all of Apollo.
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We were able to do Apollo
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because of what we call staging.
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You could have a first
stage, help you get started,
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throw away a lot of weight.
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Light another propulsion system.
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Go so far.
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Throw all that away.
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But I was throwing stuff away like mad.
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It gets pretty costly,
and it gets limited.
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So it was pretty clear in 1970.
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We would like to get away
from throwing everything away
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to begin to learn how to
reuse things over and over.
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For a rocket to orbit Earth,
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it must reach the incredible speed
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of 7.9 kilometers per second.
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The rockets used prior to the Shuttle
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were able to achieve such a high speed
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by detaching parts of their
bodies at different stages.
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However, since the Space Shuttle
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cannot release any parts of itself,
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engineers needed to develop
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a more powerful, but lighter, engine.
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This is the Space Shuttle main engine,
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also known as S.S.M.E.
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Lightweight, but powerful.
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To fuse these seemingly
contradictory ideas,
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engineers developed a novel engine system.
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First, the liquid hydrogen
inside the engine combusts,
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causing the turbine to rotate
at an extremely rapid rate.
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At the same time, liquid
oxygen is injected.
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As a result, a powerful
chemical reaction occurs
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inside the combustion chamber.
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This engine produces a
massive amount of power.
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More than three times the
amount used to launch
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Apollo 13 to the moon
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at an astounding pressure
of 210 atmospheres.
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But this type of system
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places a lot of stress on the engine.
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Every experiment resulted in cracked parts,
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or an exploded engine.
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Thompson and his team endured
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countless failed experiments.
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To this day, Thompson keeps an object
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assembled from pieces that had
broken off during testing.
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It serves as a reminder of
this period of struggle.
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Find that problem and fix it.
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Find this problem and fix it.
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Find that problem and fix it.
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These are all 15 or 20 different problems
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that developed in the engine program.
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It took 10 long years
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to finally develop a reusable main engine
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capable of functioning in space.
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However, the three engines
were not powerful enough
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to obtain the speed needed
to blast into space.
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So to supplement propulsion,
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engineers developed
large-scale rocket boosters
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to attach to the outside of the ship.
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The Space Shuttle was nearing completion.
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But the engineers encountered
another set of obstacles.
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The unthinkable happened when a jumbo jet
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carried the shuttle to its launch site
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at the Kennedy Space Center.
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Upon arrival, the shuttle was found to be
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in terrible condition.
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During the transport process,
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a large portion of the heat-resistant tiles
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had been ripped off.
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This was disastrous for the Shuttle.
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To create a reusable spacecraft,
heat-resistant tiles,
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capable of withstanding
extreme temperatures,
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had to be used.
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These heat-resistant tiles
are made of silica,
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a material known to block heat transfer.
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However, silica tiles are soft
and susceptible to breakage.
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After investigating why the tiles came off,
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developers found that the problem
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was with the tile's adhesive.
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Heat-resistant tiles contain
many small air bubbles,
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and when a lot of pressure was applied,
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the tiles began to peel off.
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By reprocessing the surface of the tiles,
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and making them harder,
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engineers were able to keep the tiles
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from ripping off due to
vibrations and wind pressure.
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Three years behind schedule,
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00:18:37,771 --> 00:18:40,767
the Space Shuttle was
finally ready for takeoff.
266
00:18:43,978 --> 00:18:47,605
It was a hard-nosed, 10 or 12-year grind
267
00:18:47,606 --> 00:18:49,581
to build an airplane,
268
00:18:50,511 --> 00:18:52,646
insulate it from the heat of entry,
269
00:18:53,716 --> 00:18:56,981
put electronics in it, put
flight controls in it,
270
00:18:57,811 --> 00:18:59,690
so it could come back and land,
271
00:18:59,691 --> 00:19:01,612
build a rocket engine that would give you
272
00:19:01,613 --> 00:19:03,732
the ISP's you wanted, so you could
273
00:19:04,922 --> 00:19:06,949
build that much weight
and take it to orbit.
274
00:19:06,950 --> 00:19:09,092
It was all understandable.
275
00:19:10,502 --> 00:19:13,072
But it took a lot of work.
276
00:19:14,642 --> 00:19:15,503
And a lot of money.
277
00:19:22,309 --> 00:19:24,976
April 12, 1981.
278
00:19:26,006 --> 00:19:27,945
The Columbia Space Shuttle was waiting for
279
00:19:27,946 --> 00:19:29,836
liftoff into space.
280
00:19:35,286 --> 00:19:37,205
This was the first time ever
281
00:19:37,206 --> 00:19:40,488
that a reusable spacecraft
would be launched.
282
00:19:46,469 --> 00:19:48,809
To witness this momentous occasion,
283
00:19:48,810 --> 00:19:52,741
nearly 500,000 spectators
came to the launch site.
284
00:19:59,369 --> 00:20:02,168
The winged Space Shuttle
was a novel design,
285
00:20:02,169 --> 00:20:06,079
and the world viewed this
as the start of a new era.
286
00:20:14,074 --> 00:20:15,433
Two astronauts were chosen
287
00:20:15,434 --> 00:20:19,206
to ride the Columbia Space
Shuttle on its maiden voyage.
288
00:20:19,207 --> 00:20:22,199
Robert Crippen and John Young.
289
00:20:22,200 --> 00:20:23,944
Because it was a test flight,
290
00:20:23,945 --> 00:20:25,919
there were only two crew members.
291
00:20:30,029 --> 00:20:34,059
A decade-long experiment was
finally being put to the test.
292
00:20:35,330 --> 00:20:37,670
There's obviously an apprehension
293
00:20:37,671 --> 00:20:41,153
any time you get ready
for a launch like this.
294
00:20:42,624 --> 00:20:44,803
The thousands of people
who'd been involved,
295
00:20:44,804 --> 00:20:48,634
thousands of individual processes
that had to take place,
296
00:20:49,645 --> 00:20:52,844
no one person can be there
and see all of that,
297
00:20:52,845 --> 00:20:55,905
so you're somewhat apprehensive.
298
00:20:55,906 --> 00:20:58,645
Did everything get put in
place as it should have been?
299
00:20:58,646 --> 00:21:00,229
Is everything going to work alright?
300
00:21:00,960 --> 00:21:04,210
So you sit and watch it
count down and liftoff.
301
00:21:04,898 --> 00:21:09,021
Eight, seven, six, five, four.
302
00:21:09,022 --> 00:21:10,901
We've gone from the engine start.
303
00:21:27,769 --> 00:21:29,748
The Shuttle released a plume of smoke
304
00:21:29,749 --> 00:21:31,628
and a ball of flames.
305
00:21:31,629 --> 00:21:34,534
It was engulfed in a
bright, blinding light.
306
00:21:44,595 --> 00:21:46,616
40 minutes after its launch,
307
00:21:46,617 --> 00:21:49,228
the Columbia went into geocentric orbit.
308
00:21:53,841 --> 00:21:55,748
The two astronauts' duty was to ensure
309
00:21:55,749 --> 00:21:58,008
that the Shuttle's complex systems
310
00:21:58,009 --> 00:22:00,194
would work properly in space.
311
00:22:06,568 --> 00:22:10,100
And most importantly,
to return home safely.
312
00:22:22,695 --> 00:22:27,136
In two days, the Columbia
circled the planet 36 times
313
00:22:27,137 --> 00:22:28,947
before returning to earth.
314
00:22:35,702 --> 00:22:38,962
The Shuttle had opened
the door for a new era
315
00:22:38,963 --> 00:22:40,833
in space exploration.
316
00:22:49,607 --> 00:22:51,608
After Columbia returned to Earth,
317
00:22:51,609 --> 00:22:54,360
more problems than expected were revealed.
318
00:22:55,190 --> 00:22:57,719
Nearly 150 heat-resistant tiles
319
00:22:57,720 --> 00:22:59,350
were damaged during the flight.
320
00:23:00,100 --> 00:23:03,159
The shuttle's second launch date
was significantly postponed
321
00:23:03,160 --> 00:23:06,330
because of the additional
time needed for maintenance.
322
00:23:09,861 --> 00:23:12,210
Seven months after its maiden voyage,
323
00:23:12,211 --> 00:23:14,881
Columbia was ready for its second flight.
324
00:23:18,691 --> 00:23:21,135
A lot more was at stake.
325
00:23:21,136 --> 00:23:23,775
It was the first ever
attempt to launch a shuttle
326
00:23:23,776 --> 00:23:25,707
that had already been to space.
327
00:23:27,979 --> 00:23:30,058
This was the moment of truth,
328
00:23:30,059 --> 00:23:32,458
to see if this space shuttle was, in fact,
329
00:23:32,459 --> 00:23:35,390
a practical vehicle for space exploration.
330
00:23:40,110 --> 00:23:41,912
Two astronauts were chosen to embark
331
00:23:41,913 --> 00:23:44,074
on this important mission.
332
00:23:44,075 --> 00:23:46,266
Joe Engle and Richard Truly.
333
00:23:48,747 --> 00:23:51,447
Truly played a role in the
development of the Shuttle,
334
00:23:51,448 --> 00:23:54,219
and was in charge of testing
the landing functions.
335
00:23:57,289 --> 00:24:00,250
He is still active in the
world of space exploration,
336
00:24:00,251 --> 00:24:02,961
and continues to advise
the next generation.
337
00:24:07,241 --> 00:24:09,532
My first flight, STS-2,
338
00:24:10,702 --> 00:24:14,273
was really important in
the series of flights
339
00:24:14,274 --> 00:24:16,829
because it was the first time
340
00:24:16,830 --> 00:24:22,083
that we had ever reflown
a spacecraft into orbit.
341
00:24:26,064 --> 00:24:27,883
We have main engine start.
342
00:24:27,884 --> 00:24:30,159
The time had come for the second launch.
343
00:24:30,885 --> 00:24:32,148
We have ignition.
344
00:24:32,149 --> 00:24:36,028
We have ignition of the solid
rocket boosters and liftoff.
345
00:24:36,029 --> 00:24:38,468
Liftoff of America's Space Shuttle,
346
00:24:38,469 --> 00:24:41,049
and the Space Shuttle
has cleared the tower.
347
00:24:54,392 --> 00:24:57,712
This was Truly's first trip to space.
348
00:24:57,713 --> 00:25:01,151
A huge sense of responsibility
weighed on his shoulders.
349
00:25:05,013 --> 00:25:06,173
Hey, good.
350
00:25:06,174 --> 00:25:07,603
The old eyeball looking out the window.
351
00:25:07,604 --> 00:25:10,125
The best device I think.
352
00:25:10,865 --> 00:25:11,984
And we've got a great picture
353
00:25:11,985 --> 00:25:14,716
from camera Delta beyond,
going down into the cradle.
354
00:25:16,346 --> 00:25:18,066
On the last day of the flight,
355
00:25:18,067 --> 00:25:20,267
President Reagan visited the control room
356
00:25:20,268 --> 00:25:22,938
to offer encouragement
to the two astronauts.
357
00:25:26,829 --> 00:25:30,548
Let me just say I'm sure you know how proud
358
00:25:30,549 --> 00:25:32,788
everyone down here is,
359
00:25:32,789 --> 00:25:35,850
and how this whole nation,
I'm sure the world,
360
00:25:35,851 --> 00:25:37,831
but certainly America,
361
00:25:37,832 --> 00:25:42,123
has got its eyes and its heart on you.
362
00:25:46,413 --> 00:25:47,993
For two straight days,
363
00:25:47,994 --> 00:25:49,994
Truly and Engle worked tirelessly
364
00:25:49,995 --> 00:25:52,137
on the shuttle's performance tasks.
365
00:25:55,200 --> 00:25:56,584
And they proved that the Space Shuttle
366
00:25:56,585 --> 00:25:59,636
was capable of making
multiple trips to space.
367
00:26:01,506 --> 00:26:04,928
We were gonna be flying this flight
368
00:26:04,929 --> 00:26:07,890
for years and years, and
this was the first time
369
00:26:07,891 --> 00:26:11,082
that it had been reflown into space.
370
00:26:11,083 --> 00:26:12,642
And sure enough, we did.
371
00:26:12,643 --> 00:26:15,642
Here we are decades later,
372
00:26:15,643 --> 00:26:19,364
and we have flown it way over 100 times.
373
00:26:19,365 --> 00:26:21,563
But this was the first time,
374
00:26:22,521 --> 00:26:26,657
and so it was, it was
a thrill for me to be
375
00:26:27,681 --> 00:26:30,151
involved in such an important flight.
376
00:26:32,447 --> 00:26:34,267
The goal was to launch the Space Shuttle
377
00:26:34,268 --> 00:26:36,568
several dozen times a year.
378
00:26:36,569 --> 00:26:39,841
So by 1985, they had built four shuttles.
379
00:26:43,952 --> 00:26:47,151
NASA grew confident in the
performance of their shuttles,
380
00:26:47,152 --> 00:26:49,251
and called for other countries to join them
381
00:26:49,252 --> 00:26:51,163
in the exploration of space.
382
00:26:56,664 --> 00:27:00,634
Canada had already contributed
a large robotic arm to NASA.
383
00:27:05,836 --> 00:27:07,735
And the European Space Agency
384
00:27:07,736 --> 00:27:09,675
had expressed its commitment to promoting
385
00:27:09,676 --> 00:27:12,906
research and development in space programs.
386
00:27:19,129 --> 00:27:21,029
With the shuttles now having the capacity
387
00:27:21,030 --> 00:27:23,349
to seat up to seven passengers,
388
00:27:23,350 --> 00:27:26,809
they began carrying astronauts
with varied backgrounds,
389
00:27:26,810 --> 00:27:29,641
including scientists and engineers.
390
00:27:35,772 --> 00:27:39,672
As a result, NASA could carry
out a variety of missions,
391
00:27:39,673 --> 00:27:42,452
which included performing
complex experiments
392
00:27:42,453 --> 00:27:44,343
and deploying satellites.
393
00:27:49,154 --> 00:27:53,444
To make space travel possible
for anyone, at any time.
394
00:27:56,675 --> 00:27:59,154
The Space Shuttle ushered in a new age
395
00:27:59,155 --> 00:28:01,965
where this dream could become a reality.
396
00:28:07,461 --> 00:28:08,793
But the shuttles,
397
00:28:08,794 --> 00:28:11,454
which had made multiple
successful missions,
398
00:28:11,455 --> 00:28:13,825
were confronted by a sudden tragedy.
399
00:28:17,201 --> 00:28:18,380
Space shuttle mission,
400
00:28:18,381 --> 00:28:19,686
and it has cleared the towers.
401
00:28:19,687 --> 00:28:22,967
January 28, 1986.
402
00:28:23,817 --> 00:28:26,988
The Challenger lifted off
from Kennedy Space Center.
403
00:28:31,042 --> 00:28:32,742
73 seconds later...
404
00:28:36,175 --> 00:28:37,268
One minute 15 seconds.
405
00:28:37,269 --> 00:28:39,108
Velocity 2900 feet per second.
406
00:28:39,109 --> 00:28:40,628
Altitude nine nautical miles.
407
00:28:40,629 --> 00:28:44,000
It suddenly exploded
as the world watched.
408
00:28:48,083 --> 00:28:51,362
The Challenger, along with
its seven astronauts,
409
00:28:51,363 --> 00:28:53,213
was engulfed in flames.
410
00:28:56,143 --> 00:28:58,402
It was the first time in NASA's history
411
00:28:58,403 --> 00:29:01,138
that lives were lost during flight.
412
00:29:09,537 --> 00:29:11,856
The Challenger disintegrated.
413
00:29:11,857 --> 00:29:13,516
Its bits and pieces were scattered
414
00:29:13,517 --> 00:29:15,448
all along the coast of Florida.
415
00:29:22,809 --> 00:29:25,168
The Space Shuttle program was suspended,
416
00:29:25,169 --> 00:29:28,250
and a detailed investigation
followed the accident.
417
00:29:36,083 --> 00:29:38,483
The commission in charge
of investigating the cause
418
00:29:38,484 --> 00:29:40,736
focused on the footage of the launch.
419
00:29:46,946 --> 00:29:49,417
The Challenger lifted off as expected.
420
00:29:51,248 --> 00:29:53,468
But flames started to come out of the side
421
00:29:53,469 --> 00:29:55,230
of one of the rocket boosters.
422
00:30:03,141 --> 00:30:06,162
Rocket boosters are made
of several components.
423
00:30:06,163 --> 00:30:08,386
The fire's point of
origin was in the section
424
00:30:08,387 --> 00:30:10,801
that connects two parts of the rocket.
425
00:30:15,792 --> 00:30:19,191
The O-ring is a mechanical
gasket made of rubber
426
00:30:19,192 --> 00:30:20,822
placed in this section.
427
00:30:23,772 --> 00:30:25,371
It acts as a seal to prevent
428
00:30:25,372 --> 00:30:27,951
high-temperature gases from leaking.
429
00:30:27,952 --> 00:30:29,876
It is a critical component.
430
00:30:37,487 --> 00:30:39,027
The commission started to believe
431
00:30:39,028 --> 00:30:41,838
that the O-ring may have
caused the accident.
432
00:30:46,539 --> 00:30:48,079
On the morning of the launch,
433
00:30:48,080 --> 00:30:49,839
temperatures were unusually low
434
00:30:49,840 --> 00:30:51,411
at the Kennedy Space Center.
435
00:30:56,122 --> 00:30:59,432
Some surrounding areas had
dropped to below freezing.
436
00:31:01,262 --> 00:31:02,981
Because of the cold temperatures,
437
00:31:02,982 --> 00:31:06,272
the O-ring hardened and
lost its sealing function.
438
00:31:07,102 --> 00:31:10,412
This led to a gas leak,
which caused the explosion.
439
00:31:13,263 --> 00:31:15,223
Upon further investigation,
440
00:31:15,224 --> 00:31:16,523
the commission found that NASA
441
00:31:16,524 --> 00:31:19,183
had insisted on proceeding with the launch
442
00:31:19,184 --> 00:31:21,213
despite the low temperatures
443
00:31:21,214 --> 00:31:24,085
in an effort to increase the
number of shuttle flights.
444
00:31:31,058 --> 00:31:33,240
This is John Logsdon.
445
00:31:33,241 --> 00:31:35,740
For years, he has been
advising the government
446
00:31:35,741 --> 00:31:38,146
regarding space exploration policy.
447
00:31:39,016 --> 00:31:40,975
He believes NASA's overconfidence
448
00:31:40,976 --> 00:31:42,475
in the Space Shuttle program
449
00:31:42,476 --> 00:31:44,851
contributed to the Challenger accident.
450
00:31:45,702 --> 00:31:47,961
And NASA and the U.S. space community
451
00:31:47,962 --> 00:31:49,663
thought they could do anything.
452
00:31:50,793 --> 00:31:52,085
And so on paper,
453
00:31:53,175 --> 00:31:55,744
they said if we can solve
these design problems,
454
00:31:55,745 --> 00:31:58,555
we can operate the Shuttle
like an airplane.
455
00:31:59,445 --> 00:32:03,280
Launch it 50, 60, 70 times a year.
456
00:32:06,072 --> 00:32:07,852
That was basically a fantasy
457
00:32:07,853 --> 00:32:10,072
given the technological uncertainties
458
00:32:10,073 --> 00:32:12,239
and the complexity of the vehicle.
459
00:32:12,240 --> 00:32:16,389
The Challenger accident ended
most of that self-delusion.
460
00:32:18,669 --> 00:32:21,391
NASA was subject to harsh criticism.
461
00:32:25,161 --> 00:32:28,960
The loss of seven astronauts'
lives, along with the shuttle,
462
00:32:28,961 --> 00:32:30,475
was a crippling blow.
463
00:32:34,166 --> 00:32:35,645
There was even talk of how NASA
464
00:32:35,646 --> 00:32:37,377
would not be able to recover.
465
00:32:38,087 --> 00:32:41,108
It was the worst crisis the
space agency had faced
466
00:32:41,109 --> 00:32:42,320
since its founding.
467
00:32:43,948 --> 00:32:46,747
Richard Truly, who was on
the second space mission,
468
00:32:46,748 --> 00:32:48,595
headed the program's overhaul.
469
00:32:51,966 --> 00:32:53,825
He assumed this responsibility
470
00:32:53,826 --> 00:32:56,556
after wrestling over whether
or not to take the position.
471
00:33:03,741 --> 00:33:06,440
The project to get the
Shuttle back into operation
472
00:33:06,441 --> 00:33:08,891
was called, "Return to Flight."
473
00:33:12,142 --> 00:33:14,241
One of my biggest problems though
474
00:33:14,242 --> 00:33:16,301
was not technical at all.
475
00:33:16,302 --> 00:33:19,461
It was a leadership problem
476
00:33:19,462 --> 00:33:23,470
in order to get the team
to work together again.
477
00:33:24,600 --> 00:33:27,108
To lose a spacecraft and seven people
478
00:33:28,738 --> 00:33:30,344
was terribly
479
00:33:32,214 --> 00:33:33,494
disappointing
480
00:33:34,974 --> 00:33:38,235
and heartbreaking to all the people in NASA
481
00:33:38,236 --> 00:33:40,309
that worked on the program.
482
00:33:41,040 --> 00:33:44,799
And somehow, I had to
create a team of people
483
00:33:44,800 --> 00:33:46,236
that eventually would,
484
00:33:47,070 --> 00:33:50,600
would get back to a new flight.
485
00:33:52,211 --> 00:33:54,351
A task force of military officials
486
00:33:54,352 --> 00:33:55,919
and former astronauts,
487
00:33:55,920 --> 00:33:58,977
who were experts in their
fields, was assembled.
488
00:33:59,627 --> 00:34:02,649
They worked on changing the
mindset of the employees.
489
00:34:04,139 --> 00:34:06,570
Under their leadership,
their goal was to restore
490
00:34:06,571 --> 00:34:09,522
the workers' confidence and trust in NASA.
491
00:34:12,612 --> 00:34:13,711
The task force dealt with
492
00:34:13,712 --> 00:34:16,382
one technological challenge after another.
493
00:34:21,192 --> 00:34:23,051
The rocket booster's sealing joints,
494
00:34:23,052 --> 00:34:25,412
which connected the different
parts of the rocket,
495
00:34:25,413 --> 00:34:27,564
were strengthened to improve safety.
496
00:34:30,016 --> 00:34:33,526
The number of O-ring seals was
increased from two to three.
497
00:34:37,097 --> 00:34:38,917
When it was determined
that there were areas
498
00:34:38,918 --> 00:34:41,918
of the engine and fuel tank
that could be improved,
499
00:34:41,919 --> 00:34:44,491
the design of the Shuttle was reevaluated.
500
00:34:48,402 --> 00:34:50,836
Multiple changes were made
to the Space Shuttle.
501
00:34:51,666 --> 00:34:54,205
It may have looked the
same from the outside,
502
00:34:54,206 --> 00:34:56,997
but it had undergone a
complete transformation.
503
00:35:02,108 --> 00:35:05,408
On September 29, 1988,
504
00:35:05,409 --> 00:35:09,168
two years and eight months
after the Challenger accident,
505
00:35:09,169 --> 00:35:11,339
the Space Shuttle was set for relaunch.
506
00:35:13,456 --> 00:35:18,683
Three, two, one,
zero, and liftoff!
507
00:35:18,684 --> 00:35:19,955
Liftoff!
508
00:35:19,956 --> 00:35:21,095
Americans returning...
509
00:35:21,096 --> 00:35:23,255
All across America and the world,
510
00:35:23,256 --> 00:35:25,837
people watched as the
Space Shuttle Discovery
511
00:35:25,838 --> 00:35:27,408
took flight once again.
512
00:35:40,595 --> 00:35:43,744
It was the moment that
everyone had been waiting for.
513
00:35:52,336 --> 00:35:55,305
The Challenger accident
and two and a half years
514
00:35:55,306 --> 00:35:57,387
of the hardest job I ever did
515
00:35:58,398 --> 00:36:03,358
of getting the Shuttle back together,
516
00:36:03,359 --> 00:36:07,278
and I was deliriously happy
517
00:36:07,279 --> 00:36:10,971
when we finally lifted off
on that Discovery mission
518
00:36:11,881 --> 00:36:14,531
in 1988 to fly again.
519
00:36:15,361 --> 00:36:19,692
That particular day was
a beautiful day for me.
520
00:36:23,964 --> 00:36:27,086
The Space Shuttle succeeded
in overcoming tragedy,
521
00:36:27,087 --> 00:36:30,158
and resumed its odyssey of exploration.
522
00:36:34,808 --> 00:36:37,335
April 24, 1990.
523
00:36:38,026 --> 00:36:40,926
The 10th flight after resuming operations.
524
00:36:43,026 --> 00:36:45,086
Discovery was carrying
out the Space Shuttle's
525
00:36:45,087 --> 00:36:47,358
most important mission to date.
526
00:36:49,688 --> 00:36:52,212
It would transport a
telescope to outer space.
527
00:36:53,009 --> 00:36:56,440
One that would help unravel the
mysteries of our universe.
528
00:36:59,264 --> 00:37:00,823
The Hubble space telescope
529
00:37:00,824 --> 00:37:04,504
is a 13-meter long giant space telescope.
530
00:37:10,764 --> 00:37:14,864
In outer space, there is no
atmospheric interference.
531
00:37:14,865 --> 00:37:17,985
Because of this, the Hubble
can take clearer images
532
00:37:17,986 --> 00:37:20,077
of distant stars and galaxies.
533
00:37:23,192 --> 00:37:26,091
This precision instrument
can only be transported
534
00:37:26,092 --> 00:37:29,272
and have maintenance performed
on it by the Shuttle.
535
00:37:29,273 --> 00:37:32,357
It is the only spacecraft that
can cushion the telescope
536
00:37:32,358 --> 00:37:34,277
from the impact of liftoff
537
00:37:34,278 --> 00:37:36,708
and make multiple trips to space.
538
00:37:42,198 --> 00:37:44,238
For this reason, the Hubble's size
539
00:37:44,239 --> 00:37:46,038
was designed to fit perfectly
540
00:37:46,039 --> 00:37:47,869
inside the Shuttle's payload bay.
541
00:37:54,067 --> 00:37:55,726
But in order to keep interference
542
00:37:55,727 --> 00:37:58,286
from the earth's atmosphere to a minimum,
543
00:37:58,287 --> 00:38:00,446
it was necessary to transport Hubble
544
00:38:00,447 --> 00:38:02,837
to an altitude of 600 kilometers.
545
00:38:06,169 --> 00:38:09,501
This was approximately double
the Shuttle's normal altitude
546
00:38:09,502 --> 00:38:13,202
of around 300 kilometers,
and was nearly the limit
547
00:38:13,203 --> 00:38:15,577
of what was considered
safe for the Shuttle.
548
00:38:20,798 --> 00:38:23,859
On the adjacent launchpad,
Space Shuttle Columbia
549
00:38:23,860 --> 00:38:26,520
was placed on standby just in case.
550
00:38:34,255 --> 00:38:37,540
Discovery, with the Hubble on board,
551
00:38:37,541 --> 00:38:40,402
managed to safely reach
its target altitude.
552
00:38:41,932 --> 00:38:42,731
Discovery, Houston.
553
00:38:42,732 --> 00:38:44,011
We're getting some real good
554
00:38:44,012 --> 00:38:46,111
payload bay television downlink,
555
00:38:46,112 --> 00:38:48,051
and we see that Steve has been hard at work
556
00:38:48,052 --> 00:38:49,490
getting the RMS deployed.
557
00:38:51,960 --> 00:38:53,740
Using the robotic arm,
558
00:38:53,741 --> 00:38:56,971
the crew begin transporting
Hubble out of the payload bay.
559
00:39:02,353 --> 00:39:05,558
Pitch is about four degrees
off, altitude-wise.
560
00:39:05,559 --> 00:39:06,162
Okay.
561
00:39:07,032 --> 00:39:09,231
Maybe that's what's
making it look like that.
562
00:39:10,181 --> 00:39:11,341
You gonna pitch it up?
563
00:39:12,132 --> 00:39:13,002
Okay.
564
00:39:16,348 --> 00:39:18,869
Discovery, go for Hubble release.
565
00:39:19,536 --> 00:39:21,076
Okay, we have a go for release,
566
00:39:21,077 --> 00:39:22,866
and we're gonna be a minute late.
567
00:39:22,867 --> 00:39:24,027
Okay.
568
00:39:28,361 --> 00:39:30,180
Hubble was deployed into orbit
569
00:39:30,181 --> 00:39:33,147
at an altitude of 600
kilometers from Earth.
570
00:39:40,398 --> 00:39:43,377
The shuttles made five more
trips to the telescope
571
00:39:43,378 --> 00:39:46,170
to perform maintenance
and make improvements.
572
00:39:50,982 --> 00:39:54,742
The Hubble telescope
continues to send us images.
573
00:39:54,743 --> 00:39:58,544
Images which could hold the
key to unlocking the secrets
574
00:39:58,545 --> 00:40:00,095
of the universe.
575
00:40:06,329 --> 00:40:08,630
The success of Hubble enabled NASA
576
00:40:08,631 --> 00:40:10,810
to finally shake off the nightmare
577
00:40:10,811 --> 00:40:12,463
of the Challenger accident.
578
00:40:16,203 --> 00:40:20,253
Certainly, you could not have
Hubble without the Shuttle.
579
00:40:20,254 --> 00:40:22,103
Hubble was able to give us
580
00:40:22,104 --> 00:40:24,725
all these years of remarkable discoveries
581
00:40:24,726 --> 00:40:28,175
and images that still thrill people.
582
00:40:28,176 --> 00:40:31,585
I would say that the symbosis,
583
00:40:33,357 --> 00:40:35,286
symbiosis between
584
00:40:36,096 --> 00:40:37,056
Shuttle and Hubble
585
00:40:37,057 --> 00:40:39,679
is probably the program's
greatest achievement.
586
00:40:44,590 --> 00:40:46,510
As the shuttles were making their comeback
587
00:40:46,511 --> 00:40:49,690
during the mid-1980's
through the early 90's,
588
00:40:49,691 --> 00:40:52,847
historic changes were
taking place back on Earth.
589
00:40:59,093 --> 00:41:00,106
Bravo!
590
00:41:01,617 --> 00:41:04,958
The Berlin Wall, which
symbolized the Cold War,
591
00:41:04,959 --> 00:41:08,881
was torn down, marking the
end of the Cold War era.
592
00:41:11,123 --> 00:41:12,923
This wave of change also reached
593
00:41:12,924 --> 00:41:14,799
the world of space exploration.
594
00:41:18,669 --> 00:41:20,288
In 1993,
595
00:41:20,289 --> 00:41:23,730
Russia joined the International
Space Station program,
596
00:41:23,731 --> 00:41:24,910
which was being developed
597
00:41:24,911 --> 00:41:26,841
by the nations of the Western block.
598
00:41:31,132 --> 00:41:34,773
The U.S. had long dreamed of
building a space station,
599
00:41:34,774 --> 00:41:36,663
and the Shuttle program was created
600
00:41:36,664 --> 00:41:38,144
to help make this happen.
601
00:41:38,874 --> 00:41:40,933
By overcoming the divisions
that had existed
602
00:41:40,934 --> 00:41:43,544
between the Eastern and Western world,
603
00:41:43,545 --> 00:41:46,097
this dream became a reality.
604
00:41:47,728 --> 00:41:50,260
And liftoff of the Space Shuttle Endeavour,
605
00:41:50,261 --> 00:41:51,627
with the first American element
606
00:41:51,628 --> 00:41:53,558
of the International Space Station.
607
00:41:53,559 --> 00:41:55,963
Components of the
International Space Station
608
00:41:55,964 --> 00:41:58,303
supplied by the U.S. and Russia
609
00:41:58,304 --> 00:42:00,854
began to be transported into space.
610
00:42:04,745 --> 00:42:07,759
As expected, the Shuttle
played a major role.
611
00:42:10,871 --> 00:42:14,951
After reaching a geocentric
orbit of 400 kilometers,
612
00:42:14,952 --> 00:42:17,342
construction of the space station began.
613
00:42:21,712 --> 00:42:23,796
You have a go to install Unity.
614
00:42:29,648 --> 00:42:31,204
One and a half.
615
00:42:33,104 --> 00:42:33,992
Six inches.
616
00:42:34,888 --> 00:42:36,323
Halfway down, keep it coming.
617
00:42:37,507 --> 00:42:38,874
Them.
618
00:42:42,155 --> 00:42:43,034
Good job.
619
00:42:43,035 --> 00:42:44,935
Glad you caught on the back log.
620
00:42:48,306 --> 00:42:50,505
The International Space Station project
621
00:42:50,506 --> 00:42:52,087
was set into motion.
622
00:42:55,717 --> 00:43:00,040
15 countries, including the
U.S., Russia, and Japan,
623
00:43:00,041 --> 00:43:01,911
participated in the program.
624
00:43:06,361 --> 00:43:08,820
The world was steadily building a foothold
625
00:43:08,821 --> 00:43:11,031
into the outer regions of space.
626
00:43:18,154 --> 00:43:22,453
In May 2008, Japan provided
an experiment module
627
00:43:22,454 --> 00:43:23,807
for the Space Station.
628
00:43:27,457 --> 00:43:30,597
It was given the name Kibo, meaning hope.
629
00:43:36,887 --> 00:43:40,629
For 13 years, the Space Shuttle
traveled back and forth
630
00:43:40,630 --> 00:43:43,743
between Earth and the
International Space Station.
631
00:43:49,054 --> 00:43:50,513
The United States and Russia
632
00:43:50,514 --> 00:43:53,154
were able to work together in space,
633
00:43:53,155 --> 00:43:54,825
where there are no boundaries.
634
00:43:55,715 --> 00:43:57,460
The Space Shuttle's accomplishments
635
00:43:57,461 --> 00:43:59,711
made the unthinkable possible.
636
00:44:08,722 --> 00:44:13,461
In January 2003, seven astronauts
were on board the Columbia
637
00:44:13,462 --> 00:44:15,263
for a scientific research mission.
638
00:44:15,264 --> 00:44:18,463
My hat is off to.
639
00:44:18,464 --> 00:44:20,263
He did some space acrobatics.
640
00:44:20,264 --> 00:44:21,663
They conducted experiments
641
00:44:21,664 --> 00:44:23,823
in a variety of different fields,
642
00:44:23,824 --> 00:44:26,134
including life science and medicine.
643
00:44:26,135 --> 00:44:27,615
There is a handover before
644
00:44:27,616 --> 00:44:29,995
the blue shift goes off
duty and the red shift...
645
00:44:31,986 --> 00:44:34,445
After completing a 17-day mission,
646
00:44:34,446 --> 00:44:37,436
all they had left was the
return journey to Earth.
647
00:44:39,822 --> 00:44:42,122
But tragedy would strike
for the second time
648
00:44:42,123 --> 00:44:43,723
in the Space Shuttle's history.
649
00:44:55,887 --> 00:44:56,826
Columbia, Houston.
650
00:44:56,827 --> 00:44:57,726
Com check.
651
00:45:00,918 --> 00:45:03,977
During its reentry into
the earth's atmosphere,
652
00:45:03,978 --> 00:45:06,288
the Columbia suddenly disintegrated.
653
00:45:12,080 --> 00:45:14,177
This shocked the entire world.
654
00:45:25,682 --> 00:45:28,342
The shuttle shattered
into thousands of pieces
655
00:45:28,343 --> 00:45:31,093
over a 5,000 square kilometer area.
656
00:45:37,405 --> 00:45:40,024
A thorough investigation was conducted,
657
00:45:40,025 --> 00:45:42,402
just like after the Challenger accident.
658
00:45:46,772 --> 00:45:49,392
A piece of foam insulation
that had broken off
659
00:45:49,393 --> 00:45:52,553
from an external fuel tank
shortly after liftoff
660
00:45:52,554 --> 00:45:54,877
was found to have caused the accident.
661
00:46:01,412 --> 00:46:04,472
The broken piece had smashed
into the Shuttle's wing,
662
00:46:04,473 --> 00:46:05,744
creating a hole.
663
00:46:10,454 --> 00:46:13,805
Unaware of this, the
Columbia kept on flying.
664
00:46:17,655 --> 00:46:19,894
When it reentered the earth's atmosphere,
665
00:46:19,895 --> 00:46:22,555
superheated gases penetrated the hole
666
00:46:22,556 --> 00:46:25,068
causing the Shuttle to disintegrate.
667
00:46:30,239 --> 00:46:33,690
All seven astronauts died
in this horrific disaster.
668
00:46:38,418 --> 00:46:40,694
All Americans today are thinking as well
669
00:46:41,438 --> 00:46:43,114
of the families of these men and women
670
00:46:43,998 --> 00:46:46,694
who have been given this
sudden shock in grief.
671
00:46:48,144 --> 00:46:49,154
You're not alone.
672
00:46:50,044 --> 00:46:51,794
Our entire nation grieves with you.
673
00:46:54,404 --> 00:46:56,254
The Space Shuttle program was again
674
00:46:56,255 --> 00:46:58,266
in danger of being scrapped.
675
00:47:03,657 --> 00:47:07,096
But after a hiatus of two
years and six months,
676
00:47:07,097 --> 00:47:10,011
the Space Shuttle resumed operations.
677
00:47:13,428 --> 00:47:15,307
Leaders of countries
interested in completing
678
00:47:15,308 --> 00:47:18,747
the International Space
Station, as well as the public,
679
00:47:18,748 --> 00:47:21,059
called for the program's continuation.
680
00:47:28,376 --> 00:47:30,215
After the Columbia accident,
681
00:47:30,216 --> 00:47:32,986
the Shuttle made 21 additional flights.
682
00:47:33,756 --> 00:47:35,826
The space station was nearing completion.
683
00:47:48,389 --> 00:47:51,189
However, massive amounts
of money were spent
684
00:47:51,190 --> 00:47:53,801
to ensure that the shuttles
kept running safely.
685
00:47:59,792 --> 00:48:02,131
Upon their return, the
shuttles' maintenance
686
00:48:02,132 --> 00:48:05,559
included the replacing of
broken heat-resistant tiles
687
00:48:05,560 --> 00:48:09,070
and the dismantling and
inspection of its engines.
688
00:48:13,781 --> 00:48:16,221
Because of the increasing
cost of its upkeep,
689
00:48:16,222 --> 00:48:19,932
a single mission costs over $1 billion.
690
00:48:26,772 --> 00:48:29,724
Although the Shuttle was
a reusable spacecraft,
691
00:48:29,725 --> 00:48:32,524
the cumulative effect
of these repeated trips
692
00:48:32,525 --> 00:48:34,475
took a heavy toll on its body.
693
00:48:41,153 --> 00:48:43,693
In 2004, President Bush announced
694
00:48:43,694 --> 00:48:45,554
that the Shuttle would be retired
695
00:48:45,555 --> 00:48:48,405
after construction of the
space station was completed.
696
00:48:55,832 --> 00:48:58,472
But the technology that was
developed for the Shuttle
697
00:48:58,473 --> 00:49:02,251
is now being applied to the
next generation of spacecraft.
698
00:49:06,724 --> 00:49:11,355
SpaceX, a private company
that was established in 2002,
699
00:49:11,356 --> 00:49:13,439
is using NASA's technology
700
00:49:13,440 --> 00:49:15,930
to develop new types of launch vehicles.
701
00:49:22,604 --> 00:49:24,344
In December 2010,
702
00:49:26,324 --> 00:49:28,213
the firm's unmanned spacecraft
703
00:49:28,214 --> 00:49:30,833
successfully circled the earth twice
704
00:49:30,834 --> 00:49:33,124
before reentering the atmosphere
705
00:49:33,125 --> 00:49:35,295
and safely returning to Earth.
706
00:49:39,287 --> 00:49:41,431
This company ultimately aims to build
707
00:49:41,432 --> 00:49:43,165
a manned space vehicle.
708
00:49:49,696 --> 00:49:51,895
NASA also has announced a plan
709
00:49:51,896 --> 00:49:54,266
to create a new type of spacecraft.
710
00:49:59,519 --> 00:50:02,218
It's goal is to go beyond Earth's orbit,
711
00:50:02,219 --> 00:50:05,430
and carry out manned expeditions to Mars.
712
00:50:09,041 --> 00:50:12,040
The technology that was
developed for the Space Shuttle
713
00:50:12,041 --> 00:50:13,940
is helping to open the door
714
00:50:13,941 --> 00:50:16,572
to the outer regions of space.
715
00:50:26,625 --> 00:50:28,744
In June 2011,
716
00:50:28,745 --> 00:50:31,244
Atlantis was transported to the launch site
717
00:50:31,245 --> 00:50:34,033
for the Space Shuttle
program's final blastoff.
718
00:50:37,983 --> 00:50:41,164
From the initial liftoff in 1981,
719
00:50:41,165 --> 00:50:43,624
over a span of 30 years,
720
00:50:43,625 --> 00:50:47,796
the five shuttles circled the
earth more than 20,000 times.
721
00:50:51,247 --> 00:50:52,986
The shuttles and its crew took part
722
00:50:52,987 --> 00:50:55,497
in numerous daring adventures.
723
00:51:00,647 --> 00:51:04,667
For 30 years, it has
carried science, payloads,
724
00:51:04,668 --> 00:51:09,147
defense payloads, communication satellites,
725
00:51:09,148 --> 00:51:11,392
hundreds of people into space,
726
00:51:12,622 --> 00:51:16,521
and has for three decades
727
00:51:16,522 --> 00:51:18,822
literally been our space program.
728
00:51:20,072 --> 00:51:22,145
Will there be a next Shuttle?
729
00:51:23,835 --> 00:51:25,594
I personally think there will be.
730
00:51:25,595 --> 00:51:27,053
I don't think it's a last
731
00:51:27,964 --> 00:51:30,455
big space plane we're ever gonna build.
732
00:51:30,465 --> 00:51:33,324
There will be other vehicles
733
00:51:33,325 --> 00:51:36,075
that do similar to what the Shuttle does.
734
00:51:41,129 --> 00:51:44,687
The Shuttle had made dreams
come true for mankind.
735
00:51:45,691 --> 00:51:48,597
Their arrival conveyed
the dawn of a new era
736
00:51:48,598 --> 00:51:50,590
in space exploration.
737
00:51:59,945 --> 00:52:01,204
Though the Shuttle's history
738
00:52:01,205 --> 00:52:04,204
was filled with hardships and tragedy,
739
00:52:04,205 --> 00:52:06,295
they brought us closer to space.
740
00:52:14,162 --> 00:52:15,811
For 30 years,
741
00:52:15,812 --> 00:52:19,051
the shuttles led us to the cosmic front
742
00:52:19,052 --> 00:52:22,622
by fulfilling our dreams
of space exploration
743
00:52:22,623 --> 00:52:27,193
and stirring our imagination
of future discoveries.
57071
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