Pioneer to make ‘Challenger’ drama

Leading UK independent Pioneer Productions has been commissioned by Channel 4 in the UK and National Geographic Channel in the US to produce ‘Challenger’, a drama-documentary telling the true story of America’s most famous aviation disaster.
The programme was commissioned by Channel 4’s Hamish Mykura, Head of history, science & religion, and is being distributed by Channel 4 International.
On January 28 1986, Space Shuttle Challenger blasted off from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It was the 25th shuttle flight, the 10th time that Challenger itself had lifted off, and yet another routine expedition into space. Such was the routine, in fact, that this time Challenger even had a civilian passenger aboard – schoolteacher Christa McAuliffe.
Seventy-three seconds later NASA’s Space Program disappeared in a ball of flame. The tragedy shocked the world, but engineers had seen this “accident” coming. In fact, they had even predicted that this would be the fatal launch.
This is the behind-the-scenes drama of that disaster, recreating the unfolding story from a year before that fateful day. This human story follows the hopes and fears of all those involved; the great dream of a future in space, and the very human failings which led to disaster. This is the fascinating, dramatic and moving story of one of the most important events in the history of the exploration of space.
Jeremy Dear, Head of Development of Pioneer Productions, said: “It was one of the biggest news stories of the 1980s, it spelled disaster for NASA, and it could have been avoided. The evidence that has come to light in recent years demonstrates how flawed Challenger’s safety control checks had become. And, of course, there were real people on board, people who lost their lives needlessly. Challenger is their story, and the story of the death of the dream of easy space exploration.”
Hamish Mykura, Head of History, Science & Religion, Channel 4, said: "The Challenger disaster was one of those epic moments in recent history that affected everyone who lived through it. It was a shocking event, and the innocence and enthusiasm around our space exploration was never the same again. Channel 4 History has a great track record with films about events in our recent past that affected all our lives, and I'm really excited about this one".
Challenger is a Pioneer production commissioned by Channel 4 and National Geographic Channel due for broadcast in 2006.
(GB)