Mayday Season 6 Episode 7 Lost in Space

Mayday season 6 episode 7, "Lost in Space," centers around the tragic disappearance of the Space Shuttle Columbia on February 1, 2003, which resulted in the deaths of all seven crew members. The episode explores the events leading up to the disaster and the subsequent investigation that shed light on what went wrong.

The episode begins with a brief history of the Space Shuttle program, which began in 1972 and revolutionized space travel for the United States. Columbia, the first operational shuttle, made its maiden flight in 1981 and went on to complete 28 successful missions. But on its 29th mission, disaster struck.

The episode then delves into the timeline of events on February 1, 2003. The crew, composed of six Americans and one Israeli, had completed their 16-day mission and were returning to Earth. As they entered the Earth's atmosphere, a piece of foam insulation broke off from the external fuel tank and struck Columbia's left wing, damaging its heat shield.

Despite the damage, the crew had no idea that anything was wrong. Ground control, however, noticed that the shuttle was experiencing unusual heating on its left side. The episode follows the frantic efforts of engineers and NASA officials to gather data and assess the situation.

Despite their best efforts, the shuttle broke apart during re-entry, killing all on board. The episode then follows the investigation that ensued, exploring the role that the foam insulation played in the disaster. Investigators discovered that engineers had expressed concerns about the insulation in the past but had not properly communicated these concerns to management.

The investigation also revealed that NASA had become complacent in its approach to safety, taking too many risks and neglecting certain aspects of the shuttle's design. The episode details the changes that were implemented in the wake of the disaster, including improvements to the shuttle's heat shield and changes in communication protocols.

Overall, "Lost in Space" is a sobering look at the risks of space travel and the importance of taking safety seriously. The episode provides a detailed account of the events leading up to the disaster and the efforts to prevent future incidents. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration or the history of the Space Shuttle program.