Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight Part 3, April 14 2024, CNN

The CNN Original Series Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight returns with its third instalment airing on CNN on Sunday, April 14. This four-part documentary series explores the tragic story of the Space Shuttle Columbia’s final mission, STS-107, which ended in disaster on February 1, 2003.

The third episode opens with the revelation that sixteen minutes before landing, Mission Control loses contact with the crew of seven astronauts. As live television coverage captures the shocking scene, debris begins to fall, and NASA fears the worst.

The previous episodes of the series have provided context for this fateful moment. The shuttle suffered a foam strike to its left wing during launch, causing damage that would ultimately lead to its disintegration upon re-entry. Despite concerns raised by engineers, NASA management dismissed the issue, setting the stage for the tragic outcome.

The series has featured interviews with family members of the fallen astronauts, NASA managers, and engineers, offering insights into the events leading up to the tragedy. It also includes footage taken by the astronauts themselves and never-before-seen archival footage from NASA.

As the investigation unfolds, the episode will delve into the contributing factors that led to the disaster, including financial pressures and a culture of complacency within NASA. The loss of the Space Shuttle Columbia had a profound impact on the space agency, leading to a reevaluation of safety protocols and a renewed focus on addressing institutional silence.

Space Shuttle Columbia: The Final Flight airs on CNN at 9:00 pm on Sunday, April 14, 2024.