03 | The Challenger Legacy: Columbia

from Science Friction · host Australian Broadcasting Corporation

In 2003, close to two decades after the Challenger disaster, seven astronauts were killed in another space shuttle accident. History has repeated itself and NASA faces another reckoning — the parallels between the two disasters are undeniable. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts.Guests:Miles O'BrienAerospace correspondent, CNNJon ClarkFormer NASA physician and husband of Laurel ClarkMike CiannilliFormer Columbia integration systems engineer, NASAJulie PayetteFormer astronaut, NASACredits:Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl KruszelnickiReporter: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: James BullenSeries Producer: Jonathan WebbExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael OsmondSpecial thanks to the Clark family for sharing their family archives.This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.

What this episode covers

In 2003, close to two decades after the Challenger disaster, seven astronauts were killed in another space shuttle accident. History has repeated itself and NASA faces another reckoning — the parallels between the two disasters are undeniable. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 Challenger space shuttle disaster left on culture, space exploration and high-risk decision making, search ‘Science Friction: The Challenger Legacy podcast’ from Radio National (RN) on the ABC Listen App (Australia), or wherever you get your podcasts. Guests: Miles O'Brien Aerospace correspondent, CNN Jon Clark Former NASA physician and husband of Laurel Clark Mike Ciannilli Former Columbia integration systems engineer, NASA Julie Payette Former astronaut, NASA Credits: Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl Kruszelnicki Reporter: Fiona Pepper Senior Producer: James Bullen Series Producer: Jonathan Webb Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond Special thanks to the Clark family for sharing their family archives. This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.

NOW PLAYING

03 | The Challenger Legacy: Columbia

0:00 23:30

1×

No transcript for this episode yet

We transcribe on demand. Request one and we'll notify you when it's ready — usually under 10 minutes.

Share this episode

Similar Episodes

Milk Proteins without the Dairy - Adam Tarshis and Dr. Cory Tobin

Jun 9, 2026 ·50m

New Technology in Severe Burn Care - Dr. Katie Bush

Jun 1, 2026 ·31m

New Methods in Early Cancer Detection - Dr. Nate Montgomery

May 25, 2026 ·39m

Strategies in Combating Chronic Kidney Disease - Dr. Salvadore Viscomi

May 17, 2026 ·37m

AI and the Future of Healthcare -- Dr. Emilia Javorsky

May 8, 2026 ·39m

The First Environmental GE Organism Release - almost! Dr. Steven Lindow

Apr 28, 2026 ·25m

Similar Podcasts

Elevatin' The GetRight Spot & The Love Algorithm Elevatin' The GetRight Spot & The Love Algorithm A podcast that expresses the journey of taking ideas and turning them into a successful website and business. Using an ideology, philosophy and mental science as motivation, we shall Elevate Bodybyloud! and The GetRight Spot. We also inspire everyone to elevate their lives and go after their dreams, desires., and abundance. The Health Odyssey: Navigating Tomorrow's Medicine Podcast Welcome to 'The Health Odyssey: Navigating Tomorrow's Medicine,' where we embark on an adventurous journey through the ever-evolving world of healthcare. Each episode is like a treasure map, guiding you through the rich tapestry of ancient healing arts mixed with futuristic tech wizardry. We’ll chat about the wild west of health data privacy, the corporate giants reshaping our care, and the mind-bending potential of psychedelics for mental wellness. Think of us as your trusty sidekicks, unraveling the mysteries of modern medicine while keeping it real and relatable. Let’s dive into the stories, the science, and the soul of healthcare, paving the way for a healthier tomorrow. Chosn Conversations: Beyond the Journal Chosn AI Journal Welcome to Chosn Conversations: Beyond the Journal, where your AI hosts explore the transformative power of conversational journaling and emotional intelligence. Each episode takes you beyond traditional journaling methods, diving deep into voice journaling techniques, mental wellness strategies, and the science behind AI-supported emotional health. We share inspiring user stories, analyze the latest research in digital mental wellness, and provide practical guidance for incorporating journaling into your self-care routine. Whether you're curious about AI therapy alternatives, looking for mental health support tools, or wanting to optimize your journaling practice, our conversations extend beyond the written page into meaningful audio experiences that offer evidence-based insights in an accessible, compassionate format. Join us as we navigate the intersection of technology and mental well-being, helping you track your emotional journey and build lasting resilience through the power of What Works? Sophie Scott, UCL PALS Prof Sophie Scott, Director of the Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience at University College London, discusses life and science and careers with her colleagues from the Division of Psychology and Language Sciences at UCL, and beyond. The aim of the show is to highlight some amazing scientists, and explore their journeys through science and life, and find out what works for them.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long is this episode of Science Friction?

This episode is 23 minutes long.

When was this Science Friction episode published?

This episode was published on February 3, 2026.

What is this episode about?

Can I download this Science Friction episode?

Yes, you can download this episode by clicking the download button on the episode player, or subscribe to the podcast in your preferred podcast app for automatic downloads.

URL copied to clipboard!