Course : From the Big Bang to Global Powers: Science and Geopolitics

For our final session of From the Big Bang to Great Powers, we will watch Apollo 13 (1995) and use it to examine the interaction of technology, organizational decision-making, and international prestige. Beyond its cinematic appeal, the mission provides a valuable case study in managing unexpected challenges, the importance of skill and built-in safeguards, and how global competition and collaboration can emerge under pressure. Dr. Paravantis will explore the connections between space exploration and governance, highlighting the lasting lessons of this mission for understanding power in both historical and contemporary contexts.