He called the local flight controller, got permission to take off.

To the flight controller he asked, "Can you prevent her from taking off?"

Earlier in the day, the flight controllers kept a close eye on weather.

He then stepped up directly behind the flight controller's forward station.

He was an inspiration to every flight controller in Moscow.

In the hours after the explosion, flight controllers settled on a plan.

"I care about you," the flight controller told her bluntly.

The flight controller went to a console and made the necessary adjustments.

At this stage the situation still seemed normal both to the astronauts and to flight controllers.

For a time, flight controllers were not sure when, or if, they would be able to get Sojourner up and running.