Mayday Season 12 Episode 6 Deadly Space

In the sixth episode of the twelfth season of Mayday, titled "Deadly Space," viewers join investigators as they try to determine what caused the tragic crash of SpaceShipTwo, a commercial spacecraft operated by Virgin Galactic. The incident occurred on October 31, 2014, during a test flight that had originated from the Mojave Air and Space Port in California.

As the episode begins, viewers are presented with a montage of interviews with various individuals involved in the commercial spaceflight industry. These include Virgin Galactic founder Richard Branson and space tourism pioneer Eric Anderson, who explain the excitement and promise of this emerging field. However, their interviews are contrasted with footage of the disaster that befell SpaceShipTwo on that fateful day, leaving viewers with a sense of foreboding.

The investigation begins with a focus on the cause of the in-flight breakup of SpaceShipTwo. Viewers follow investigators as they comb through the wreckage, examining everything from the engine to the cockpit instruments. Initial evidence points towards a problem with the spacecraft's feathers, a unique re-entry system designed to maneuver the craft back into the Earth's atmosphere.

As investigators delve into the design and engineering of the feathers, they discover a potentially troubling trend in Virgin Galactic's approach to safety. The company had allowed significant design changes to the feathers without first seeking approval from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), which was the agency responsible for regulating commercial spaceflight.

Despite these concerns, investigators ultimately zero in on the cause of the accident as pilot error. They discover that co-pilot Michael Alsbury had prematurely unlocked the feather system during ascent, setting off a chain of events that led to the in-flight breakup. As they piece together the events of that day, viewers are given a vivid and heartrending account of the harrowing last moments of Alsbury and pilot Peter Siebold, who survived the initial breakup but was critically injured upon impact.

Throughout the episode, viewers are also given a glimpse into the complex and evolving relationship between commercial spaceflight companies and the regulatory agencies responsible for overseeing their operations. There is a tension between the desire to innovate and push the envelope of human exploration, and the need to ensure safety and minimize risk. As the investigation continues, viewers see how Virgin Galactic and the FAA worked together to address the issues that led to the accident and take steps to ensure that it would never happen again.

"Deadly Space" is a riveting exploration into the world of commercial spaceflight and the challenges it poses for those who seek to explore new frontiers. Through interviews with industry experts, footage of the crash and its aftermath, and a detailed examination of the investigation itself, viewers gain a deeper appreciation of the risks and rewards of human spaceflight. Whether you're a lifelong space enthusiast or a newcomer to the subject, this episode is a must-watch for anyone interested in the future of human exploration beyond our planet.