13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle
BBC World Service
Epic space stories. From the first Moon landing, to Apollo 13, to the Space Shuttle. Told by the people who made them happen.NEW: Season 3: The Space Shuttle. A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa’s darkest days – the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects. Season 2: Apollo 13. Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented and co-written by Kevin Fong.Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon. The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong.13 Minutes is produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit for the BBC World Service. Season 3 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Episodes
Mentioned books
22 snips
Aug 18, 2025 • 45min
The Space Shuttle: 6. Satellite for sale
Join Joe Allen, a former nuclear physicist and astronaut, and Rick Houck, mission commander and veteran astronaut, as they dive into the thrilling challenges of a 1984 NASA mission. They discuss the nerve-wracking task of retrieving two stranded $75 million satellites in orbit. With unexpected setbacks and an innovative female astronaut leading the charge, the crew navigates the complexities of spacewalks, improvises under pressure, and reflects on the human elements of balancing motherhood and career in the cosmos.
33 snips
Aug 11, 2025 • 44min
The Space Shuttle: 5. Space truck
In this engaging discussion, Hoot Gibson, a veteran astronaut and pilot of the Challenger during the STS-41B mission, shares thrilling stories from space. He recaps the moment when President Reagan opened the space shuttle for business and recounts challenges faced, like the loss of the $75-million Westar 6 satellite. Gibson discusses the emotions aboard Challenger during tense moments, from balloon mishaps to the exhilarating experience of a spacewalk. He highlights the teamwork required in mission control and the personal resilience required to navigate media scrutiny.
54 snips
Aug 4, 2025 • 43min
The Space Shuttle: 4. The 35 new guys
Kathy Sullivan, a former NASA astronaut and the first American woman to perform a spacewalk, and Mike Mullane, a retired astronaut who flew on three Shuttle missions, discuss a transformative era in NASA's history. They highlight how social changes prompted the recruitment of women and minorities into the astronaut corps. The guests share personal experiences from their groundbreaking journeys, exploring the challenges and excitement of navigating a diverse and revolutionary new atmosphere in space exploration, which emphasized collaboration over traditional pilot roles.
50 snips
Jul 28, 2025 • 46min
The Space Shuttle: 3. Glass rocket
In this riveting discussion, astronaut Bob Crippen, who flew on the inaugural space shuttle mission, and Neil Hutchinson, a flight director during STS-1, share their heart-pounding experiences aboard Columbia. They recount the tense moments of communication loss and concerns about damage to the shuttle's heat shield. The complexities of re-entry and the emotional strain of not knowing if crucial tiles were missing add to the suspense. Their firsthand accounts reveal the challenges of innovation and teamwork that defined a pivotal moment in space exploration.
46 snips
Jul 21, 2025 • 43min
The Space Shuttle: 2. The greatest test flight
Neil Hutchinson, a former NASA Flight Director who led the ascent team during the first space shuttle launch, shares thrilling insights from STS-1. He recounts the high-stakes preparations leading to launch day, filled with anticipation and emotional investment from the entire team. Hutchinson discusses the critical moments of the launch simulation and the overwhelming excitement as the crew faced the unprecedented challenge of flying a brand-new spacecraft. His reflections highlight both the triumphs and the risks of space exploration.
24 snips
Jul 14, 2025 • 44min
The Space Shuttle: 1. The spaceplane
Bob Crippen, a pioneering NASA astronaut and test pilot, shares his thrilling experiences as the pilot of the first Space Shuttle mission. He discusses the innovative design and engineering challenges behind the shuttle, revealing insights into the complex teamwork at NASA that made history possible. Crippen reflects on the emotional high of launch day and the significance of the shuttle for future space exploration. His engaging stories capture the excitement of the era, showcasing both the struggles and triumphs of human ingenuity in the quest for space.
4 snips
Jun 25, 2025 • 3min
Introducing: The Space Shuttle
Discover the thrilling launch of a revolutionary spacecraft that marked a new era in space exploration. Feel the emotions of astronauts as they embark on groundbreaking missions from Cape Canaveral in 1981. Experience the awe of Space Shuttle launches and the critical role of Mission Control. Delve into the complex legacy of the shuttle, highlighting both its remarkable triumphs and tragic moments. It's a captivating exploration of human achievement and the spirit of adventure in the cosmos.
9 snips
Jun 7, 2020 • 1h 1min
Apollo 13: 7. Resurrection
Can the Apollo 13 crew survive re-entering Earth’s atmosphere aboard the revived Odyssey spacecraft? After four days in a spacecraft with dwindling power and oxygen supplies, the astronauts face a series of critical tests on their journey home. One mistake could see Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert, and Fred Haise incinerated or lost forever in deep space. In the final moments of radio silence, Nasa mission control begins to fear the worst.Hosted by Kevin Fong.Archive: Nasa
Starring
Jim Lovell
John Aaron
Dave Reed
Hal Loden
Jerry Bostick
Jim Kelly
Fred Haise
Charlie Duke
Joe Kerwin
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Chuck Dietrich
Marilyn Lovell
Gerry GriffinWritten by Kevin Fong and Andrew Luck-Baker Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers MusicA BBC Radio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.
Apr 16, 2020 • 40min
Apollo 13: Bonus 2. John Aaron
Nasa flight controller John Aaron talks to Kevin Fong about the ill-fated Apollo mission, from the moment of learning about the explosion to his fears during the spacecraft’s final descent through the Earth’s atmosphere.Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.
11 snips
Apr 14, 2020 • 41min
Apollo 13: Bonus 1. Jim Lovell
Jim Lovell recounts the intense moments of the Apollo 13 mission, from the explosion to the splashdown. The crew faces challenges in space, improvising solutions and overcoming obstacles. They show compassion and refuse stimulants, preparing for reentry and bidding farewell to the lunar module. The capsule experiences navigation issues but successfully lands in the Pacific Ocean, bringing relief to the astronauts.
