Cowboy Bebop - Space Shuttle

One of the best scenes from one of the best shows
Taken from Session #19 - Wild Horses. I made a slight edit to the original video that removed a brief cut to Jet, just to keep the flow of this portion of the scene.

[@BenjoKazooie64]

Name a more American moment than a Sherman towing the motherfuckin Space Shuttle.

[@jasal5877]

Damn straight!

[@dtxa7x]

@@jasal5877 WOOOOOOOOO

[@joshuabessire9169]

...While John Wayne held the steering yoke with his teeth and dual-weilded and spin reloaded lever action rifles.

[@mookiestewart3776]

@@joshuabessire9169 lol

[@mookiestewart3776]

We’re def crazy enough to do some shit like that 😂😂

[@wadearendsee4430]

Fun little trivia, when spike draws lines on the window to help get the proper angle, this actually happened with a Mercury mission in which Gordon Cooper had to draw lines on his window to get the correct angle for reentry when the automatic control system failed

[@Gala-yp8nx]

Same with Apollo 13.

[@snakezase2998]

Also the landing gear on a space shuttle aren’t supposed to retract

[@wadearendsee4430]

@@snakezase2998 Mate I'm pretty sure that the shuttle isn't suppose to take off this way

[@snakezase2998]

@@wadearendsee4430 they’re meant to be gliders

[@aaronstreet1054]

That’s awesome! To build upon this great fact, Spike used his right eye (cybernetic prosthetic), which probably had a display for him to accurately carve the graph he needed! 😎👍🏻👍🏻

[@TheOneandOnlyDuck]

"How do we taxi this antique spacecraft out of the hangar?" "Well, we have an antique tank..."

[@AlejandroLopez-wo3ep]

And is a Sherman Tank from WWII

[@homerjsimp53]

That Sherman looks like the tank in Kelly's Heroes. The loudspeaker on the turret with the extra long gun. Nice touch if you ask me.

[@KillerOrca]

@@homerjsimp53 Man driving its got a grin to show he knows what hes doin.

[@KYLETIBOR]

R.I.P. the real space cowboys of the Space Shuttle Columbia.

[@CrazyDave318]

It fits really nice, this being the Columbia.

[@jasal5877]

Hell I'm not quite shure columbia had exploaded by the time this first ran, but yah that's a nice detail.

[@daftrok]

@@jasal5877 It did not. Cowboy Bebop came out in 1998 the Columbia was destroyed in 2003.

[@obso1337]

@@jasal5877 just a coincedence, but theres something comforting seeing Columbia get one last ride and make it to the corkboard.

[@PJpuccii]

@@obso1337 he'll yes dude...10000% agree, crazy how cowboy bebop called the heat panels. Isn't that how the Columbia got destroyed?

[@casacara]

>space shuttle columbia >"most of the heat resistant tiles got ripped off" >"we're gonna burn up" >episode aired pre-columbia crash how the hell did they know....

[@georgeofhamilton]

The Columbia was an inside job.

[@chuckchuck4016]

:0

[@generalralph6291]

@@georgeofhamilton I'd be interested in that, if you're serious.

[@georgeofhamilton]

@@generalralph6291 Nah, I was kidding.

[@obso1337]

Its not so crazy to think. The tiles on the shuttle were always a concern.

[@y2k21]

As an aviation enthusiast I lost my shit when I seen this episode. This was definitely my favorite moment in animation.

[@combatpig3435]

Definitely with al of the old fighters lying aroumd

[@jordanvelazquez6321]

Space shuttle Columbia was 90 years old and somehow still operational.

[@directive0]

@@jordanvelazquez6321 Doohan is a miracle worker.

[@dlxmarks]

@@jordanvelazquez6321 And wasn't lost in 2003.

[@pseudotasuki]

@@directive0 I see what you did there.

[@TheNorthHawk]

Oh, hell. The writers and animators thought of everything. Turning a shuttle into an SSTO would be pretty much impossible if we're talking 100% realism, but from the solid fuel boosters to get the nose up to the detachable fuel tank in the shuttle's cargo bay, they made the suspension of disbelief a little easier on us. I've seen more insane designs work in KSP.

[@dabest8147]

Pretty sure they didn't actually go to orbit. Just a large sub orbital trajectory.

[@spinningsquare1325]

Yes but is only suborbital

[@NoeticSystem]

If you look inside the engine nozzles on the Shuttle, you can see that they have that same sun-cross-shaped baffle that the Swordfish and other ships in the series have. They upgraded the engines to the same fusion-powered aerospike engines with a much higher exhaust velocity than chemical rockets. That’s a nice little detail.

[@ottomellar6774]

I was also going to dismiss this until I saw those boosters raise the nose. The rest of the issues I can dismiss as a "gimme", you can have the suspension of belief. Clever.

[@abeke5523]

The only thing that didn't make sense to me is when Doohan said that by decelerating in Earth's atmosphere Spike will be able to escape into space since gravity will accelerate him instead (like wtf)

[@NeenanJones]

This scene hit real different before I realized it was made before the Columbia accident

[@philismenko]

it hits diffrent now that i know that

[@annieberardino8732]

Wait what?

[@the_biggest_chungus7508]

@@annieberardino8732 this scene came out in 1998, in 2003 the real Columbia exploded in-flight

[@TheHawaiianc]

Funny for same reason the tiles came off

[@user-yy1rs3df3q]

@@the_biggest_chungus7508 More accurately, it disintegrated during reentry.

[@actioncom2748]

I love that ending. A simple photograph is all you need. You can fill in the blanks.

[@daftrok]

3:21 "Whatever happens, happens..." RIP Columbia Crew.

[@nickelakon5369]

I like how the swordfish being made by a one of a kind mechanic who specifically selected the pilot of it is super reminicent of the trope where a masterblacksmith makes his final sword and specifically gives it to a samurai to wield (kind of like how Kenshin got the sakabato)

[@Nighthawke70]

Or how The Bride got her Katana to slice, dice and julienne up the Crazy 88's and their boss.

[@AndorRadnai]

It is one of my most beloved (and underused) tropes, and I would love to see it used in media about for example Cars and by extension racing as well. It works wonderfully for spaceships after all.

[@MarkTomczak]

The most Kerbal rescue in the history of science fiction.

[@quandaviusbartholomewhenry1303]

Herbal space program

[@THEGoDLiKeMIKE]

1:32 Sox fans never leave a game early Damn this boi is a real one

[@firedogman2280]

I cant tell if he said red sox, or woosox (local team out of Worcester Massachusetts)

[@ethanbradley2089]

Blue Sox. Red Sox fans leave early all the time. And White Sox fans never show up. Go Cards!

[@Nighthawke70]

@@ethanbradley2089 A pox on the Cards. You don't see Rangers fans leaving until that last out is registered.

[@ethanbradley2089]

@@Nighthawke70 oh like in 2011 when Pujols hit 3 hr in one game? Wanna go rewatch that game to see how many empty seats were in that old shit hole in Dallas by the 9th? I was actually rooting for the Rangers this postseason. But never mind, your team is the Bills of baseball. I forgot how classless Dallas fans are. How's it feel that we have an extra banner because your all-star outfielder couldn't play deep?

[@ethanbradley2089]

@@Nighthawke70 and just the nerve, you expansion team, ham & eggers, Johnny come lately. 11 championships, 19 league championships, countless division titles, most players in the hof to wear the uniform compared to what? 3 pennants... got swept by two pitchers and a Barry Zito in 2010. Then 2011 you get beat in 7 games by a team that didn't have a winning record until late August. But you sit up there from your mountain top and want to talk shit to 11 championships, most in the national league? Even if the Rangers win that's still 10 less after how many years in existence? You don't even deserve to run your mouth to dirty awful Cubs fans!

[@bigguy4457]

My favorite scene of all time. Idk something about the music, the situation, the resolve, its perfect in my eyes. It may not be in yours but thats what makes shows so cool right? Someone being able to look at a scene and say thats their fav and someone else being able to look at a different scene and say thats theyre fav

[@GinoChaviano19]

This is a hell of a scene man I don’t blame you. Not even mentioning the iconic whatever happens happens quote

[@branchbutler8356]

This is one of my favorite episodes

[@zachjollimore4339]

I love those small little details, like how the swordfish doesn't have orbital lines and ascent descent markers.

[@nihal2055]

This was so damnn badass

[@ryukshinigami13]

I saw cowboy bebop for the first time a few years after the Columbia disaster. I've always thought it was super spooky that Doohan worries about burning up in reentry due to lost heat shield tiles, given what happened to the real shuttle. It's one of those surreal coincidences that occasionally makes me think the universe has a weirdly cosmic sense of humor.

[@abdulchoir81]

My god....it's been 20 years and the animation still look gorgeus!

[@superswag9861]

That is the most American thing I’ve ever seen in any Japanese Anime period. 🇺🇸

[@veleriphon]

Doohan gave the mostly restored space shuttle Columbia the chance to return someone safely to Earth. Goddamn I love this show!

[@dizzy308]

The Sherman tank with the loudspeaker on the turret is a reference to Oddball's tank in Kelly's Heroes. Neat easter egg there.

[@subzero-ws7wt]

I remember watching this episode way back when it was on Adult Swin and then realized how legendary Spike is.

[@rasati]

this is the coolest part of the anime, in the far future pulling up with the actual motherfucking space shuttle columbia in a show populated mostly by monochromatic space fighter jets is the coolest thing ever

[@felipesalgado6347]

Transporting a shuttle from a military tank lol now that in the future is something simple to do but here in the present reality “wtf how “

[@silaskuemmerle2505]

It would probably be pretty simple now, airport tugs have similar power and weight to that tank if I recall correctly

[@glowtail3744]

And its a sherman as well So more points into the america scale

[@slaskpojken396]

Ok so there is a scene in anime where a small M4 Sherman tows a gigantic space shuttle

[@Bav-s30z]

I’m assuming that they could have went for the M4A2 or the M4A6. Since they are the only ones that are diesel fuelled and should have the torque to tow heavy objects. Besides, I think the fact the space shuttle was on its landing gears made it easier to move. P.S you think that’s crazy? There have been instances of crossovers, which are smaller,lighter, less powerful and more fragile than a tank, tow an entire Boeing 747. Think about that. +2 tons family vehicle pulling a sub 200 ton jumbo jet.

[@slaskpojken396]

@@Bav-s30z well damn, i didnt need a whole explanation for this, i was just havin a laugh.... .;-;

[@Bav-s30z]

@@slaskpojken396 oops…Well, now you know.😁

[@c0c0nutbeans]

This scene, this whole episode gave me chills down my spine. I was grinning like a child. The shock diamonds are so sick and I loved the rocket assisted take off.

[@EsquireR]

That soundtrack is so sexy

[@TORA.Q]

i trying to found the name of it :(

[@SpazticThoughts]

@@TORA.Q The name is "Too Good Too Bad"

[@TORA.Q]

@@SpazticThoughts thanks dude

[@lucasp1813]

@@SpazticThoughts thank you

[@TobiasWhisperwind]

I remember watching this the first time and being completely sure that Doohan would pull out an SR-71 Blackbird, an actual legacy space shuttle blew my mind. Greatest anime on the planet.

[@richardavelino7383]

2:20 AAAAAGHHH he's drawing a plot graph with a fucking spark plug!!!

[@directive0]

I also love how Doohan is the name of the actor who played Scotty on Star Trek TOS. Gotta be a reference.

[@x0rZ15t]

0:08 If you listen in close you can hear the "computer sounds" similar that have been used in the first Alien movie.

[@miked9594]

Not only is the whole scene great but the song slaps so hard. I’ll drive my kids to school and jam to it.

[@bearlogg7974]

This sequence is so unapologetically badass the whole way through

[@FamiliarEvils]

This is the essence and spirit legends are made from. A simple picture posted on a wall to commemorate a memory of a few men with a death wish and balls of steel. Watanabe displayed in this scene what makes great directing and story telling, he distilled a cocktail of emotions into a single image translating such a wonderful feeling.

[@fnievez]

One of my favorite scenes. When all hell breaks loose, sometimes it's your perspective that keeps you going. "Oh well, whatever happens, happens."

[@3601christopher]

I love the smirk miles has as he’s towing the shuttle out with the Sherman

[@rainbowappleslice]

That moment the doors opened was one off the best scenes in the show. It’s perfect to se the huge old space shuttle coming out of those doors

[@thehelldoicallthis9241]

Man imagine watching this episode when it first came out and four years later seeing the Columbia actually burn up on re-entry becouse of damaged heat resistant tiles

[@RazgrizAce67]

Watching Cowboy Bebop for the first time right now. Just saw this episode. This is by far my favorite sequence so far!

[@Kamn_exe]

Wow every step of Spikes journey to confront Vicious is so poignant. Spike is resigned to his fate, he's ready to die before seeing Julia again or even finishing his fight with Viscious. And he's been consistent in that attitude or philosophy. Even the ending being a cliffhanger as to wether Spike dies or doesn't is the ultimate whatever happens, happens. Masterpiece.

[@nvrndingsmmr]

This is still one of the coolest things I've ever seen.

[@Aeroshogun]

The ironic (and tragically sad) thing is that the real Space Shuttle Columbia was sadly destroyed on re-entry 5 years after this episode aired. RIP..

[@johnthechoochooaddict796]

This episode was banned for a short time in 2003 following the Space Shuttle Columbia explosion.

[@KuDastardly]

The way they launch the space shuttle into space reminds me of how the US military strapped a bunch of rockets on a C-30 Hercules cargo plane. It was designed to land and take off from a soccer stadium in an attempt to rescue American hostages in Iran.

[@joshuanishanthchristian5217]

There's actually several versions of the rocket equipped C-130, including Fat Albert, the one the Blue Angels used to use. The Iran Rescue C-130 was special because it had reverse firing rockets that worked against the direction of motion.

[@SpeedyWings2323]

The JATO system

[@Nighthawke70]

That actually would have worked, if they didn't bump the ignition switch on the retros too soon.

[@KuDastardly]

@@Nighthawke70 What was even more incredible was how the pilots survived after the horrendous fiery explosion from its crash. Of course, by that time, the hostages had already been released.

[@BooN877]

I love how it ends on the photo, classy

[@davidh.2377]

I remember watching this episode on Adult Swim shortly before the Columbia disaster, they didn't re-air it for a long after either.

[@gabrielmcguoirk6106]

"Oh well...whatever happens, happens."

[@guardian-921]

Rest in peace, STS107.

[@EddieMillerStudios]

February 1, 2003

[@professionalbeats.6382]

That smile he has on that tank💪💯

[@thefancytiefling]

I like the fact that the Sherman pulling the space shuttle is the tank oddball uses from Kelly's heros

[@michaelandreipalon359]

Sure is more strangely cathartic nowadays, this episode, ever since the real life Space Shuttle program retired in my own and many others' lifetime.

[@thenotoriousdig610]

I shit you not I fuckin cheered and clapped when the shuttle appeared no fucking cap

[@thenotoriousdig610]

What a fucking scene goddamn mastapiece

[@kapsi]

*lights a cigarette in a tiny spaceship*

[@NotoriusMaximus]

he is going to die, why not

[@astrofan1993]

The irony, of course, if that most of the heat shield tiles peeled off in this episode, yet the Columbia survived reentry. Compare that to real life, where it was a hole the size of a bowling ball in the leading edge of her left wing that destroyed her. I have heard that, in the wake of the Columbia Disaster, reruns of this episode were not aired for a while out of respect for the crew and their families. It would be a few years before it aired again. Still, it is my favorite episode of Cowboy Bebop, because the Space Shuttle (Columbia or not) was not only prominently featured, but saved the day. It's such a beautiful ship. One minor technical quibble, though: the real Columbia had black chines (the forward part of her wings, where they connected to the fuselage), whereas she didn't in this episode. They were added not only for extra thermal protection (since the designers did not know how reentry would affect the upper part of the wings; future Shuttles did not have, much less need, them), but also to make the Columbia more recognizable at a distance compared to the other Shuttles. However, if you look at 3:22, you'll notice that those black coloration on the chines is missing. Either it was an oversight on the part of the animators, or even that thermal protection also peeled off during launch, too. But if you look at the beginning of the video, as she is being towed to the launch site, you don't see the black chines, either. So my guess is it really was an oversight on the part of the animators.

[@NotoriusMaximus]

Columbia got happy ending here, goosebumps

[@johnwiiu7005]

This was one of my most fav nerd moments in this whole series - nothing gave me a bigger smile than seeing the space shuttle.

[@violetfactorial6806]

One of the best episodes in the series. Spike's desire to live is tested and he makes a new friend. It's understated/lowkey but there's a lot of character work in this episode.

[@Afmzprod]

This is the most accurate episode of spaceflight and orbital mechanics it's very well designed 😁😁🔥🔥

[@imstupidbut]

this show was so great, it was the first anime i watched and i haven’t been able to find another one i enjoy so much

[@KillerOrca]

Its good to see one of these birds fly again, if not in real life, then fiction

[@Yora21]

This is a priceless and really rare antique!

[@astrobot3000]

when "too good too bad" comes on, you know its gonna be good

[@capfig4471]

too good too bad is my favrioute music piece from the entire show and makes the scene work just that much better

[@branchbutler8356]

Can we appreciate the music in this scene though?

[@UncleShanky]

Love both the shuttle Columbia and the Sherman firefly

[@grapekoolaid6684]

This might be my favorite episode for just this moment

[@battles423]

The music was so perfect for this scene

[@dustinsimmons4864]

Favorite episode ending for sure.

[@Hillridge]

It's my favorite clip, but my favorite ending has to be the one for Ep 13 - Jupiter Jazz Part II.

[@krusej47]

fun trivia the space shuttle Colombia disintegrated during atmospheric reentry in 2003. so it would not been in the time line of cowboy bebop in the year of 2071

[@bellacose3837]

They're *really good* at reconstruction, okay

[@CT-uv8os]

Love the fact the engineer is named Doohan. RIP Scotty.

[@aruarian_dance.]

Masterpiece.

[@GhostOfDamned]

I like how this anime uses old and new vehicles

[@javaxerjack]

Real Columbia was gone, but at least in the animation she can save one cowboy's life.

[@jordanvelazquez6321]

Considering this is in 2071, space shuttle Columbia would had been a 90 year old Spacecraft.

[@carlosborbajuarez4289]

I love this scene! Great song! Great animé!

[@kevp9601]

I Love You, Spike!

[@CASTALYA77]

The mechanic's name is 'Doohan' , a tribute to the actor James Doohan who portrayed 'Montgomery Scott' on Star trek the original series?

[@user-mn2mw1og8u]

This sequence has convinced me that cowboy bebop is nothing but an elaborate shitpost, I love it

[@richgilb]

I have no idea what's going on but this music is sick.

[@jameschoi5237]

Can’t believe this was made 30 years ago

[@xiaoling7552]

my favorite episode

[@kevp9601]

Best KZbin Video In The Universe

[@mazack00]

What's funny is, if they enhanced the engines with future-tech, and with that fuel tank in the cargo bay... this suborbital hop is actually plausible.

[@CyrusL]

One of my favorite parts

[@SpeedyWings2323]

Damn this hurts since this was made before the Columbia space shuttle disaster

[@Jrome4life]

Oh well whatever happens happens lights up a cigarette

[@someguy81]

0:30 goes so fricking hard

[@xcicutioner]

This scene better be in the Netflix series!

[@baylenlucas8923]

Still kinda crazy that the one they chose in 1998, Shuttle Columbia, is the same one the one that fell apart during reentry 5 years later.

[@barrybend7189]

If I helmed a proper and I mean proper live action adaptation I would change the Challenger to Enterprise. One because of Challenger's sad fate but also have even fictionally the Starship Enterprise be the Shuttle.

[@ajvillard8266]

Leaving for work at 7AM like

[@kevp9601]

Go, Spike, Go! :-D

[@alexandermendeyev35]

My emotions cleaning memories from my heart. Shall we erase this scene from here? it's been sitting right in the loving memories shelf for decades... The boss said not to touch that, throw away memories from highschool instead. Those are worthless.

[@niceguy60]

It's been a long road Getting from there to here It's been a long time But my time is finally near And I can feel the change in the wind right now Nothing's in my way And they're not gonna hold me down no more No, they're not gonna hold me down 'Cause I've got faith of the heart I'm going where my heart will take me I've got faith to believe I can do anything I've got strength of the soul And no one's gonna bend or break me I can reach any star I've got faith I've got faith, faith of the heart

[@alexm7627]

Faith can move mountains like Jesus says

[@alexm7627]

@@NecessaryTruths you dont realise he was speaking metaphorically, literal mountains arent the only "mountains" in life you know?

[@Nighthawke70]

Wrong church, wrong pew. Gimme Doohan, some bailing wire, some tape, an old Shuttle, and a tanker load of Hydrogen. We'll get'er done, Yeager Style.

[@multiverseone8115]

They have Michael Reeves surgery robot on the shuttle.

[@Keqing420]

I freaked out when the moon exploded

[@gunplacustoms5444]

I have always dreamt of taking the shuttle up and into the endless dream of space.

[@aldwyck7177]

Is it me? Or do the criminals in this episode sound like The Beastie Boys?

[@887Bingo]

Such a goddamn masterpiece!

[@sinatra6073]

I still haven't found the name of the song someone please help

[@mientone]

The Seatbelts - Too Good, Too Bad

[@jacobrminor]

The last 20 seconds are from the long version of "don't bother none"

[@julioguzman1342]

Too Good, Too Bad