This year marks the 25th anniversary of continuous human presence on the International Space Station. A new PBS documentary, Operation Space Station, looks at how the ISS was built, what it took to keep people alive and working in orbit, and some of the dangerous experiences astronauts have endured.
Host Scott Detrow speaks with executive producer Tom Adams and astronaut Wendy Lawrence about the station’s dual nature: it appears serene from livestreams and stunning views of Earth, but life and work aboard the ISS are inherently hazardous. Adams says the documentary emphasizes that “everything up there is trying to kill you,” and that making a functioning laboratory in such conditions is an extraordinary achievement.
Lawrence, who flew on the shuttle for about eight days and operated the station’s robotic arm during spacewalks, describes the constant focus required. Day-to-day tasks leave little time for reflection, but noises like boots clunking on the exterior during spacewalks are a reminder of the unforgiving environment and the need to design robust systems that respect the laws of physics.
The film spotlights a tense, high-stakes moment: the inspection of Discovery’s heat shield after the Columbia disaster, during the shuttle’s first return-to-flight mission. Adams explains the scene illustrates calm, scientific problem-solving under isolation and limited resources. Lawrence recalls guiding astronaut Steve Robinson on the robotic arm to inspect and extract gap fillers from the orbiter’s thermal protection tiles—an operation that blended intense concentration with awe at unprecedented views.
Both guests emphasize the crucial role of the ground teams who planned and supported such activities; Lawrence calls them “the true heroes” whose preparations make complex in-space tasks possible.
The documentary also highlights the ISS as a political and diplomatic achievement. Despite geopolitical tensions—including periods when U.S.-Russia relations were at historic lows—the two nations continued cooperating on the station. Lawrence reflects that astronauts and cosmonauts, many with military backgrounds, found common purpose in their shared mission. She suggests historians may remember the ISS not only for its science but for demonstrating that nations can work together in peaceful, constructive ways—turning “swords into plowshares.”
Operation Space Station traces these technical, human, and diplomatic dimensions of the program as the ISS approaches the end of its planned service life, scheduled for decommissioning in 2030.
