logo
episode-header-image
Dec 2024
37m 14s

Challenger Disaster | Bigger, Faster, Ch...

Wondery
About this episode

In January 1986, the Challenger Space Shuttle was poised to make history, carrying seven astronauts, including Christa McAuliffe, the first teacher and civilian selected for space travel. The launch was part of a decade-long effort by NASA to make flights cheaper and more frequent with the use of a reusable space shuttle. But years of budget cuts and risky design choices set the stage for disaster. 

Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery.fm/wonderynewsletter

Listen to American Scandal on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early access by joining Wondery+ in the Wondery App, Apple Podcasts or Spotify. Start your free trial today by visiting wondery.com/links/american-scandal/ now.

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Up next
Aug 19
The Massacre at My Lai | Pinkville | 2
On the morning of March 16, 1968, Charlie Company lands in the village of My Lai expecting to face hardened Viet Cong fighters. Instead, they find unarmed civilians – and proceed to carry out one of the most infamous massacres in U.S. military history. Be the first to know about ... Show More
35m 19s
Aug 12
The Massacre at My Lai | The Road to My Lai | 1
In late 1967, the young men of Charlie Company arrive in Vietnam – ill-prepared, poorly led, and thrown into a brutal, confusing counterinsurgency. As frustrations mount and the enemy remains unseen, the stage is set for one of the most infamous atrocities of the Vietnam War.Be t ... Show More
34m 26s
Aug 11
Business Wars Presents: The AOL-Time Warner Disaster
Think business is boring? What about when your streaming bill goes up, or your favorite restaurant files for bankruptcy? Do you ever wonder what’s going on behind the scenes? Business Wars gives you a front row seat to the biggest moments in business, to explain how they shape ou ... Show More
7m 8s
Recommended Episodes
Jan 2025
The Unraveling of Boeing | The Crash | 1
It’s 2019 and after another deadly plane crash, Boeing finds its reputation and business in free fall. Its best-selling passenger jet, the 737 Max, is forced out of the skies and the company is forced to reckon with its mistakes.  Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podca ... Show More
34m 9s
Jan 2025
The Unraveling of Boeing | Change of Destination | 2
It’s the late 1990s and the seeds of Boeing’s business disaster are being sown. An aerospace mega-merger and fierce competition from its chief rival Airbus are about to transform Boeing in ways that will lead to tragedy.Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curate ... Show More
38m 16s
Oct 2024
Concorde: Sonic Boom and Bust | Dr. Keith McLoughlin On The History and Future of Supersonic Passenger Flight | 5
Author Dr. Keith McLoughlin explores how Concorde changed history - and became history as the aviation industry evolved and supersonic passenger travel fell out of favor.Listen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-fre ... Show More
48m 43s
Aug 13
Can Southwest Airlines Survive? | Hard Landing | 1
It's 2021 and for the first time in nearly 50 years, Southwest Airlines posts an annual net loss. Amid the crisis, thousands of Southwest workers head for early retirement. The next year, Southwest is short on staff as Americans return to the skies. Pilots and flight attendants c ... Show More
40m 29s
Jul 16
Flipping the Bird: Elon vs Twitter | Extremely Hardcore | 4
After Elon decimates the workforce in one fell swoop, chaos reigns supreme. Will Elon's dreams for a free and open Twitter turn into everyone's worst nightmare?Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curated recommendations, and more! Sign up now at https://wondery. ... Show More
34m 18s
Sep 2024
Concorde: Sonic Boom and Bust | The Supersonic Race | 2
The supersonic race heats up in the 1960s. As Britain and France scramble to solidify their design for Concorde, the United States of America and the Soviet Union are close on their heels.Listen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience a ... Show More
38m 56s
Feb 2025
TikTok vs the U.S.A. | Trending Upwards | 1
In 2018, Chinese tech company ByteDance launched TikTok in the United States, determined to make the app one of the top entertainment platforms in the country. And by spring 2020, ByteDance achieved its goal, thanks, in part, to a global pandemic that sees people spending more ti ... Show More
32m 1s
Oct 2024
Concorde: Sonic Boom and Bust | The Crash | 4
At the turn of the century, a tragic accident leads Concorde to suffer a dramatic fall from grace.Listen to Business Movers on the Wondery App or wherever you get your podcasts. Experience all episodes ad-free and be the first to binge the newest season. Unlock exclusive early ac ... Show More
36m 14s
Jun 25
Rebuilding LEGO | A Burning Platform | 1
It’s early 1997, and after decades of success, LEGO is rocked by a sudden collapse in its profit. To recover, the Danish toy manufacturer jacks up its innovation efforts. But can it deliver a company-saving idea in time?Be the first to know about Wondery’s newest podcasts, curate ... Show More
41m 39s
Oct 2024
Encore: K2 - The Savage Mountain | Summit Fever | 1
In the summer of 2008, mountaineers from eight different countries gather at the foot of the world’s second tallest mountain, K2. All of them have a single goal: reach the summit. But to do that they will need to undertake one most difficult, and dangerous, climbs on earth. Sunny ... Show More
40m 19s