In a conference room in Utah, space shuttle Challenger engineers watch in horror as it explodes live on TV.These engineers are more than 3,000 kilometres from the launch site - but they're about to become the centre of this story.Because they had tried to stop the launch from happening in the first place.To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 space shuttle Challenger 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:Leslie EbelingDaughter, Bob EbelingBrian RussellFormer engineer, Morton ThiokolAdam HigginbothamAuthor, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of SpaceHoward BerkesFormer investigative reporter, NPRCredits:<ul><li>Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl Kruszelnicki</li><li>Reporter: Fiona Pepper</li><li>Senior Producer: James Bullen</li><li>Series Producer: Jonathan Webb</li><li>Executive Producer: Petria Ladgrove</li><li>Sound Engineer: Tim Jenkins</li><li>Archives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael Osmond</li><li>Archive Credits: The Footage Company/Nine Network Australia, National Public Radio (NPR).</li></ul>This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.

In a conference room in Utah, space shuttle Challenger engineers watch in horror as it explodes live on TV. These engineers are more than 3,000 kilometres from the launch site - but they're about to become the centre of this story. Because they had tried to stop the launch from happening in the first place. To hear more podcast episodes from hosts Fiona Pepper and Dr Karl Kruszelnicki about the legacy the 1986 space shuttle Challenger 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: Leslie EbelingDaughter, Bob Ebeling Brian RussellFormer engineer, Morton Thiokol Adam HigginbothamAuthor, Challenger: A True Story of Heroism and Disaster on the Edge of Space Howard BerkesFormer investigative reporter, NPR Credits:Presenters: Fiona Pepper and Karl KruszelnickiReporter: Fiona PepperSenior Producer: James BullenSeries Producer: Jonathan WebbExecutive Producer: Petria LadgroveSound Engineer: Tim JenkinsArchives Research: Lisa Chidlow, Michael OsmondArchive Credits: The Footage Company/Nine Network Australia, National Public Radio (NPR).This story was made on the lands of the Gadigal and Menang Noongar peoples.

02 | The Challenger Legacy: Five Lepers

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities.

So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised?

For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.

Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine. 

Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th.

Artemis Explained (Season 6)

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) 

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. 

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.

AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

Society & Culture

Science

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities. So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised? For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything. Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine. Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th. Artemis Explained (Season 6) In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years. We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon. The Challenger Legacy (Season 5) In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space. Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it. Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use. Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works. AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

Quantum computers could be the next giant leap in technology — transforming how we heal people, how we grow food, how we get around our cities.

So how close are we to the quantum future we've been promised?

For Science Friction on ABC Radio National, Jacinta Bowler unpacks how the weird world of quantum physics could change everything.

Hear about the surprising twists, the quantum cat-fights and the plucky heroes that have defined humanity's effort to build nature's most unpredictable machine.&nbsp;

Dead and Alive is a four-part series from Science Friction on ABC Radio National. Episode 1 is out on Wednesday, July 8th.

Artemis Explained (Season 6)

In humanity's next giant leap, astronauts are heading back to the Moon for the first time in more than 50 years.

We'll bring you daily Artemis II mission updates, from lift-off to splashdown, and answer your questions about life as an astronaut, the science of spaceflight, and plans to venture beyond the Moon.

The Challenger Legacy (Season 5)&nbsp;

In January 1986, the Challenger space shuttle disintegrated 73 seconds after lift-off. This is the story of how the tragedy unfolded, the engineers who tried to stop it — and the enduring consequences for humanity's exploration of space.&nbsp;

Artificial Evolution (Season 4): Three decades ago, Dolly the Sheep became the first ever cloned mammal. Nearly 30 years later, genetic technology has reshaped the world around us. Environment reporter Peter de Kruijff explores what's changed, where we are headed, and whether we're okay with it.

Brain Rot (Season 3): How does being chronically online affect our brains? Technology reporter Ange Lavoipierre explores the wildest ways people are using tech — from falling in love with AI companions to data-dumping a life into a language model — and the big questions about our own screen use.

Cooked (Season 2): Why do some studies show ice cream is good for you? Why do some people say they feel good going carnivore, and do we really need as many electrolytes as the internet tells us? Food and nutrition scientist Dr Emma Beckett cuts through these confusing findings to explain how nutrition science works.

AI Overlords (Season 1): AI didn't come from nowhere, and its development hasn't been a smooth, straight line — it's been rife with drama, conflict and disagreement. Technology reporter James Purtill looks at where AI came from, who controls it and where it's heading.

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