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
30 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.
27 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.
14 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.
Jun 25, 2025 • 3min
Introducing: The Space Shuttle
To launch like a rocket and land like a plane. The space shuttle: A sci-fi dream that became reality and changed spaceflight forever. Told by the Nasa astronauts, engineers, scientists and support staff who made it happen. Our multi award-winning podcast returns on 14 July 2025 with: 13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle. Presented by space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock. She tells the story of triumph and tragedy, and the human story behind the technology and scientific endeavour. A BBC Audio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service. Season 3 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg, and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.Archive: Mission audio and oral histories, Nasa History Office.
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.
10 snips
Apr 12, 2020 • 31min
Apollo 13: 6. Earth in view
The Apollo 13 spacecraft goes off course. With no computer to guide them, the astronauts must rely on their flying skills to perform a high-stakes manoeuvre, timed with Commander Jim Lovell’s wristwatch, to get them back on target. If they fail, they risk being marooned in space. Their spaceflight home hangs in the balance.Hosted by Kevin Fong.Archive: Nasa
Starring
Chuck Deiterich
Jim Lovell
Poppy Northcutt
Fred Haise
Jim Kelly
John Aaron
Joe KerwinWritten by Kevin Fong and Chris Browning Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.A BBC Radio Science Unit production for the BBC World Service.
8 snips
Apr 5, 2020 • 35min
Apollo 13: 5. Life support
Nasa mission control helps Apollo 13’s cold, exhausted astronauts survive deadly carbon dioxide levels in the spacecraft. The constant troubleshooting to stay alive has taken its toll, and the crew of Jim Lovell, Jack Swigert and Fred Haise are at the limits of human endurance. Back home in Houston, the Nasa flight surgeon is so worried about the astronauts’ lack of sleep that he turns to Marilyn Lovell with an unusual request.For a film about how the crew made the makeshift CO2 adaptors: www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutesPresented by Kevin Fong.Archive: NasaStarring:
Jim Lovell
Merlin Merritt
Anthony England
Ed Smylie, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
Fred Haise
Marilyn Lovell
Ken Mattingly
Charles A Berry
Joe Kerwin
Gerry GriffinWritten by Kevin Fong and Chris Browning Theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.
Mar 29, 2020 • 45min
Apollo 13: 4. Power brokers
Apollo astronauts freeze in darkness, struggling to save power. If the battery dies, so do the space crew. And as the damaged spacecraft loses its navigation systems, they must rely on the Sun for guidance. The astronauts' plight becomes a national crisis. Millions across the world tune in to the television coverage. Meanwhile, Nasa mission control faces a race against time to devise a plan, launching one of the greatest rescue missions in the history of space exploration.Hosted by Kevin Fong.Archive:
Nasa
Johnson Space Center Oral History ProjectStarring:
Gerry Griffin
Jim Kelly
Gene Kranz, courtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project
John Aaron
Jim Lovell
Fred Haise
Dave Reed
Jerry Bostick
Chuck Deiterich
Merlin Merritt
Bill Peters Written by Kevin Fong and Mark RickardsTheme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg for Bleeding Fingers Music.Produced by the BBC Radio Science Unit for the BBC World Service.
