Channel 4 takes a trip on the Last Flight of the Space Shuttle

Channel 4 has commissioned Last Flight of the Space Shuttle (working title), a feature-length documentary from Darlow Smithson Productions (DSP) which will explore the rise and fall of the most ambitious space programme ever undertaken, the Space Shuttle.

The film will air on Channel 4 on the 24 July to coincide with the final launch.

Through interviews with NASA scientists, administrators, astronauts and Smithsonian space history historians, as well as archival materials and CGI animation, the film tracks the Shuttle program's drama of ambition, struggle, success, failure, shock, recovery, and resilience by which it expanded the scope of human activity in space.  

The 1x90' film tells the story of the Space Shuttle, a symbol of international collaboration and scientific endeavour, which transformed our understanding of space and pioneered breakthroughs to a new high-tech age. Mixing interviews with leading NASA scientists past and present, archive footage and cutting edge CGI animation, Last Flight of the Space Shuttle (w/t) tracks the Space Shuttle's journey from its birth through to the tragic accidents in 1986 and 2003 and its retirement from service this year.

Last Flight of the Space Shuttle celebrates the space programme's momentous 30 year history and amazing achievement of making space travel routine.

Julia Harrington, Commissioning Editor, Specialist Factual, Channel 4, said: "The shuttle touching down this summer is the final chapter in an extraordinary story of triumph and tragedy which I hope this film will capture."

Last Flight of the Space Shuttle (wt) is produced by Darlow Smithson Productions for Channel 4, Smithsonian Channel, and Endemol Worldwide Distribution. The film is directed by Jeremy Hall, produced by Clare Bradbury and executive produced by Julian Ware and Tom Brisley for Darlow Smithson.