Plot Synopsis

SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: THE FINAL FLIGHT is a four-part documentary series that examines the 2003 Space Shuttle disaster, featuring exclusive interviews and revealing never-before-broadcast footage. Columbia was the first Space Shuttle to launch and redefined space travel -- it took off like a rocket, landed like a plane, and was reusable -- making the dream of routine space flight a tangible reality. Across four episodes, the story of the ticking-clock of Columbia's final mission is told in dramatic detail, beginning months before the troubled launch, unfolding across the sixteen days in orbit, and concluding with the investigation into the tragic loss of the seven astronauts' lives. Weaving together intimate footage shot by the astronauts themselves inside the orbiter, exclusive first-hand testimony from family members of the Shuttle's crew, key players at NASA -- some of whom have never spoken before -- and journalists who covered the story on the ground, the series paints an intimate portrait of the women and men onboard and uncovers in forensic detail the trail of events and missed opportunities that ultimately led to disaster. With access to NASA's archives, including previously unseen footage and findings from the official investigation, this series tells the story of a national tragedy and the inside story of one America's most iconic institutions, uncovering how financial pressures and a culture of complacency may have contributed to the events of February 1, 2003. The series also reflects on the legacy of the Space Shuttle era, serving as a timely exploration of the challenges and inherent dangers that remain relevant to space travel today. Back-to-back episodes of SPACE SHUTTLE COLUMBIA: THE FINAL FLIGHT debuted from 9-11pm ET/PT on CNN on consecutive Sundays: April 7 and April 14, 2024. Episodes include:

Part 1 (Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 9pm): In 2003, seven astronauts count down to the launch of Space Shuttle Columbia's 28th mission, unaware of the tragic fate that awaits.

Part 2 (Sunday, April 7, 2024 at 10pm): A debris strike on the shuttle's left wing raises alarms at NASA. Meanwhile, the crew, unaware, continues the 16-day mission; communicating with their families through emotional video conferences.

Part 3 (Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 9pm): Sixteen minutes from landing, Mission Control loses contact with the crew. As live television shows debris falling, NASA fears the worst, prompting East Texas residents to mobilize in one of America's largest search efforts.

Part 4 (Sunday, April 14, 2024 at 10pm): NASA is under pressure as their flawed safety culture and management failures are highlighted in the disaster's investigation, causing uncertainty for the future of American space travel.