Engineering by Catastrophe - Episode Guide

Season 1

Above and Beyond

Episode: 1x01 | Airdate: May 17, 2026

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Sending humans into space is perilous. Astronauts endure powerful launches, brutal reentry forces and an environment where small errors cause catastrophe. To prepare Orion for deep space, NASA studies past disasters to shape safer suits, escape systems and materials.

Into the Depths

Episode: 1x02 | Airdate: May 24, 2026

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Tunnels save time, money, and the environment by providing shortcuts through tough terrain. But they can also be dangerous, especially as today's tunnels grow longer and deeper. Follow the Brenner Base Tunnel and Fehmarnbelt link to explore how engineers use past disasters to make construction and travel safer.

After the Flood

Episode: 1x03 | Airdate: May 31, 2026

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Flood risks are rising worldwide as storm surges and extreme rainfall overwhelm cities. Tokyo builds vast underground rivers to manage typhoons, while Spain's Valencia floods highlight the need for early warnings. In New Orleans, storm surge barriers were reinvented after America's worst flood disaster.

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