56. The Space Program (Challenger Disaster)

I think you did an excellent job putting this together. I appreciate your many hours of research.

I'm reading Adam Higgenbotham's book Challenger right now and realizing that I'm learning nothing new, except for background and details that couldn't fit into a one-hour podcast. I continue to be impressed by ACC's research and delivery. One of the only trusted sources left on this bitch of an Earth.

My favorite episode. I come back to it every so often.

Best episode. Recommending it to everyone.

I've listened a couple times and get disgusted by the fact that alot these facts were not known. Smh

Great episode, I never knew this and cannot believe the powers that be knew it and let it happen anyway. Usual disgusting human behavior. Thank you for informing me.

made my stomach hurt! The fact that I never knew this is crazy

Would you kindly have an episode just titled, “Ronald Reagan?”

I grew up in a town neighboring Webster, TX where the “Houston” base is located. My veteran grandfather and many of his veteran “homies” were HUGE supporters of NASA and the space program. One of them had family who worked there so I would get tons of photos, prints, shirts, and other stuff from him. So much so that I had a folder and drawer full of NASA. When this happened, we sat in silence and I saw a tear run down his face. He never gave me another piece of NASA anything. When the information started leaking about some of the truths, I threw it all in the garbage. Thank you for this. I found it to be so clear and informative. You are amazing at what you do.

Your best work. Outstanding.

I'm all for discussions but if people are going to come on here and get weird on a paid subscription for something please think before bringing antagonizing nonsense here. This world is enough as it is, do the comments on swindled patreon need to be like this?

Attention reporter in the clip in the first minute of the episode: Height IS a measurement of distance, you nincompoop.

What a story! Put it together with Cautionary Tales podcast #4 “The Deadly Airship Race” to see some disturbing parallels in the systemic and institutional dynamics leading to both the airship and shuttle disasters.

This episode was eerie!! But one of my favs

With all due respect, ACC, it feels like you just watched the Netflix documentary, added some extra information, and slapped this together. It's not up to your usual high standards. Maybe I'm not as amazed and awestruck as everyone else because I've heard everything before, but I expect someone with your skill to do more than a surface-level exploration of the disaster. The O-ring explanation is overly simplistic. The culture at Morton Thiokol deserved considerably more attention. The Rogers report didn't go nearly far enough. Most crucially, the Challenger disaster -- and Columbia to an even greater extent -- are how everything came together to produce a result that was virtually inevitable -- not just a technical fault or a poor management culture, but a case study in system failure. Incidentally, Big Bird wasn't seriously considered a contender for a shuttle spot. I just watched the documentary today and it seemed like more of a joke than anything else.

Outstanding, grim storytelling of this preventable, unforgettable tragedy. "...reality must take precedence over public relations, for nature cannot be fooled." - a truth that authority increasingly undermines in this era of message manipulation.

Thanks for this episode especially, ACC. A topic near to my heart.

Holy shit, man. This is the best one yet. I’m floored. Thank you.

This was so tragic. The stomach knots kicked in for the prelude and didn't let up for the whole episode. As usual brilliantly researched and delivered, ACC. I strongly recommend AGAINST listening to this while eating dinner. Learn from my mistake, people!

this was a super scary episode. good for halloween vibes but very sad truth in history

I'll be honest, the previous episode...wasn't bad, but a narcissistic conman was just a bit underwhelming after everyone else you introduced us to this season. But then you dropped this. Between the Russian prelude, the introduction to the doomed pilots, NASA's disgusting cover up of the manner of death, the unheeded warnings and the PTSD aftermath, this episode is worthy of being a season finale...and you apparently aren't done yet!

I was so sad listening to the clip of the engineer talking. I truly hope he found his peace. 😔

Uhhh wtf is with the lady that took the foot and where do I find more information about it because I’m not finding anything

This was a very difficult episode to listen to. I was in high school watching the takeoff live when it exploded. So many strong emotions!! Thank you for this episode. I cried several times listening to it and the clip at the end...just wow!

You've really outdone yourself. This story could have devolved into disaster porn, but you were able to tell the full story with dignity. I can't believe I only pay $10 per month for this. Increasing my donation now.

Oh man, that last clip. Great episode, thank you.

I have listened to all of the previous episodes of Swindled. This one was the most disturbing. There are too many defective people in this world and they are wiping out far too many of the decent ones.

Man, this is so impressive Swindled! ❤

I’m only halfway through but holy crap, this is one of your best in ages. I’m totally horrified/sucked in

Just finished the Netflix series like an hour ago which I insisted on finishing before this was posted. Looking forward to this on my walk tomorrow!!