Ahead of the premiere of “The Space Shuttle That Fell to Earth” a BBC documentary delves into the heartbreaking last moments of the seven astronauts aboard the space shuttle Columbia

In February 2003, NASA’s control room faced a harrowing decision as the 16-day mission of Space Shuttle Columbia, which had started flawlessly, drew to a close. Unbeknownst to the crew, a piece of foam insulation had damaged the orbiter’s wing during liftoff, spelling disaster for their return journey.

Despite the grim prognosis, mission control opted not to inform the astronauts of the peril they faced. With the shuttle too distant from the International Space Station for assistance and no means of repair, the team on the ground concluded that revealing the truth would only add to the crew’s anguish during their final moments.

The crew, including Commander Rick Husband, Payload Commander Michael Anderson, and Mission Specialists Kalpana Chawla, David Brown, and Laurel Clark, along with Pilot William McCool and Payload Specialist Ilan Ramon, prepared for re-entry as if it were routine. Footage captures their calm demeanour, even as abnormal readings signalled the impending tragedy.

Tragically, contact with Columbia was lost just before 9 am Eastern Standard Time on February 1, 2003, moments after Commander Husband’s last communication with Mission Control. The shuttle disintegrated upon re-entry, claiming the lives of all seven astronauts.

Wayne Hale, a former NASA official, reflected on the difficult decision not to disclose the damage to the crew, expressing the belief that it was kinder for them to meet their fate without the burden of knowledge.

“The Space Shuttle That Fell To Earth” provides a poignant tribute to the courageous astronauts who lost their lives in pursuit of scientific discovery.