How a Boy Band Seat Saved an Astronaut from the Columbia Disaster

Don Pettit’s career began with a chaotic mission that saw him stranded in orbit after the Columbia disaster. Scott Manley recounts how a last-minute replacement, a cancelled pop star’s flight, and a dangerous return trip defined the start of a legendary spacefaring career that continues today.

Don Pettit’s first spaceflight began unexpectedly when he replaced an astronaut grounded by medical issues. Originally scheduled for a four-month stay, his mission took a harrowing turn when the Columbia disaster occurred, grounding the entire shuttle fleet and leaving him without a ride home.

His return was secured via a Soyuz spacecraft originally reserved for Lance Bass of the boy band *NSYNC, whose flight was cancelled due to funding failures. The journey home was far from smooth; the spacecraft suffered an error, and Pettit narrowly avoided being crushed by unauthorized cargo he had smuggled onto the vessel. Now 69, Pettit has returned to space for his fourth mission.

Source: Astronaut Don Pettit's First Spaceflight was Crazy - And He's Still Flying!