When We Were Shuttle

By Jennifer Robinson / Web Producer

Published July 20, 2026 at 11:21 AM PDT

President Ronald Reagan and First Lady, Nancy Reagan speaks with NASA astronauts Henry Hartsfield and Thomas Mattingly in front of Columbia following its Independence Day landing at Edwards Air Force Base on July 4, 1982.

Stream now with KPBS Passport on KPBS+ / Watch Tuesday, July 21, 2026 at 10 p.m. on KPBS TV

A two-hour documentary that explores what NASA's space shuttle program meant to six exceptional men and women who worked behind the scenes to make it fly.

"When We Were Shuttle" is a two-hour documentary that explores what NASA's space shuttle program meant to six exceptional men and women who worked behind the scenes to make it fly.

The Kennedy Space Center Ground Operation Workforce pose in front Columbia and the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft.

Through their recollections and personal archives, the film examines some of the program’s highs and its darkest hours. It also offers a unique, grassroots look at how the shuttle impacted life in the Sunshine State – from the thriving aerospace and tourism industry it sustained, to the decision to retire the shuttle when the program ended in 2011.

Become a KPBS sponsor

Controller in Firing Room 1 of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center Launch Control Center celebrate a successful liftoff of Columbia from Launch Pad 39A a few seconds past 7 a.m. on April 12, 1981.

Interviewed in the film, James L. (Jim) Jennings served as the Deputy Director of NASA’s John F. Kennedy Space Center, from May 7, 2000, to Sept. 9, 2002.

Stream On Your Schedule: KPBS+ is a new free streaming video app designed for ease and enjoyment everywhere you watch including Roku, smart TVs and mobile devices. It’s locally curated for San Diego by the KPBS programming team. With a clean and intuitive design, discovering and enjoying KPBS and PBS content on-demand has never been easier.

You can also tune in live to watch our four TV channels in real time: KPBS, KPBS 2, Create, KPBS Kids 24/7. We also added a new channel - FNX (First Nation Experience). Your KPBS Passport member benefit works on KPBS+ too! You’ll have access to even more great shows when you simply log in with your KPBS Passport account.

After Columbia’s construction in Palmdale, California, the orbiter arrived at Kennedy Space Center on March 25, 1979, to prepare for its first launch.

The STS-1 space shuttle team celebrates a successful liftoff of Columbia from Launch Pad 39A a few seconds past 7 a.m. on April 12, 1981.

Presented by WLRN Public Media / Distributed by APT

When We Were Shuttle

Tags

Fact-based local news is essential