NOVA

Witness life-or-death decisions 250 miles above Earth, as astronauts and Mission Control work together to survive moments of high danger on board humanity’s remarkable orbiting laboratory, the International Space Station.

See how ingenuity and teamwork keep the crew alive and doing science 250 miles above Earth.

Operation Space Station: Science and Survival

Operation Space Station: Science and Survival Preview

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International Space Station floating above the Earth

Imagine a place where more than 280 people have defied Earth's gravity, risking their lives to do science 250 miles above us. Here, on the International Space Station, unexpected challenges are a daily threat, from an astronaut's helmet filling with water on a spacewalk, to the entire station spinning out of control. Witness the ingenuity, courage, and international cooperation required to overcome these life-threatening emergencies. And discover how this unique orbiting laboratory continues to push the boundaries of science, uniting humanity in a shared pursuit of knowledge beyond our planet, even as its own incredible journey approaches its fiery conclusion. (Episode two of a two-part series premieres November 12 at 9 pm on PBS.)

See how ingenuity and teamwork keep the crew alive and doing science 250 miles above Earth.

Space & Flight

From ammonia leaks to Space Shuttle disasters to a spacewalk gone terribly wrong, astronauts and Mission Control insiders relive the most terrifying moments during construction of the International Space Station.

Astronauts and Mission Control relive terrifying moments during construction of the ISS.

Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build

Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build Preview

Astronauts faced a life-threatening challenge during construction of the International Space Station.

A dangerous spacewalk, a toxic leak, and a breathtaking view of Earth.

How Astronauts Avoided Disaster Building the International Space Station

During the construction of the ISS, tragedy struck the Space Shuttle Columbia and its seven-member crew.

A small piece of insulation caused catastrophic damage.

The Failure That Led to the Columbia Tragedy

Failure That Led to the Columbia Tragedy

Witness an unprecedented feat of engineering: the construction of the International Space Station, a habitable space lab hurtling around Earth at 17,000 mph. Every step of this ambitious project unfolds against the backdrop of a merciless vacuum, dangerous radiation, and extreme temperatures. Experience high-stakes drama as astronauts confront life-threatening malfunctions, including a toxic ammonia leak during a critical spacewalk. And see how each time, a combination of quick thinking and nerves of steel help the crew survive and thrive in a hostile environment – a testament to international collaboration and the relentless pursuit of scientific discovery. (Episode one of a two-part series, premiering November 5, 2025 at 9 pm on PBS)

Astronauts and Mission Control relive terrifying moments during construction of the ISS.

The size of a football field, the International Space Station hurtles around Earth at 17,000 mph, shielding its astronauts from the most hostile environment humans have ever endured. After 25 years of continuous human presence in space, astronauts and Mission Control insiders reveal the most terrifying moments aboard this remarkable orbiting laboratory, where a single mistake could prove fatal. From ammonia leaks, meteor strikes, and docking disasters, to spacewalk horrors, potentially lethal showers of space junk, and the moment the entire ISS backflipped out of control, follow life-or-death dramas unfolding 250 miles above our planet – and the human ingenuity and teamwork that save the day. (A two-part series premiering November 5, 2025 at 9 pm on PBS)

Experience dramatic life-or-death moments on the remarkable science lab that orbits Earth.

Experience dramatic life-or-death moments on the remarkable science lab that orbits Earth.

Explore Operation Space Station

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How Astronauts Avoided Disaster Building the International Space Station