Operation Space Station: High-Risk Build | Full Documentary | NOVA | PBS

/ 2 weeks ago October 31, 2025

From NOVA PBS Official.

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

Official website: https://to.pbs.org/4oidgyQ | #novapbs

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.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction
05:19 An International Collaboration
11:38 The Dangers of Building in Space
26:50 Life on the ISS
39:33 The Return of a Space Shuttle Crew
50:15 Completion of the ISS

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