10 episodes
Operation Morning Light Imperative
-
- History
-
-
4.8 • 102 Ratings
-
"Best Podcasts of 2022" - Financial Times
On a January night in 1978, a white light burned through the sub-Arctic sky. It was Cosmos 954, a nuclear-powered Soviet espionage satellite that had malfunctioned and fallen to earth. As the satellite disintegrated, it scattered dangerously radioactive debris across the vast traditional lands of the Dene, Métis, and Inuit in the Northwest Territories of Canada. Operation Morning Light tells the story of the Cosmos 954 disaster, its impact on the land, and the resilience of the communities in the debris field.
Operation Morning Light is hosted by Dëneze Nakehk'o, a Denesuline and Dehcho Dene father from Denendeh. It is produced by Aliya Pabani, and written by Michael LaPointe and Dëneze Nakehk'o. Cover art and design by Jeana Sullivan. The story editor is Matt Willis, and Thomas Curry is the managing producer. Scoring and sound-design by Alice Boyd. For Imperative Entertainment, the executive producer is Jason Hoch, and for Vespucci, the executive producers are Daniel Turcan, Johnny Galvin, and Michael LaPointe.
-
White Suits | Chapter 1
The people of Snowdrift, a small indigenous settlement, awaken to the sight of people in white suits stalking the streets of their community, scanning the ground with strange instruments. They don’t know it yet, but they’re now a part of a massive search — the only question is, a search for what?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
War Game | Chapter 2
In 1977, the Soviet Union launches a new espionage satellite—Cosmos 954—but soon after launch, its orbit starts to wobble. The question isn’t if it’s going to crash, but when. In a top secret laboratory, American scientists rush to find out where the disaster will take place.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
In the Line of Duty | Chapter 3
A massive operation is launched to recover pieces of Cosmos 954. In Snowdrift, a police officer and his partner are tasked with guarding a large chunk discovered in the tundra—an assignment that will change their lives forever.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
At Cosmos Lake | Chapter 4
The operation sets up camp in the tundra and sets out to recover the satellite, but debris from Cosmos 954 has spread far and wide across the landscape, threatening the indigenous trappers who populate the region.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Acceptable Risk | Chapter 5
People living in the Cosmos 954 debris-field begin to notice strange changes in the environment around them. Are they connected to the crashed satellite?
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices -
Loved Ones | Chapter 6
As the operation concludes, and the story of Cosmos 954 fades from public view, those left in the debris-field are forced to confront a new threat that lay hidden. Until now.
Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
Customer Reviews
Amazing and Important podcast
This podcast is narrated and produced incredibly well - a must listen! The history of the Cold War is incredibly relevant to our history today. I’m learning so much and I’m so appreciative of everyone involved in getting this podcast out there.
Great telling of a tragic story.
First time I’ve felt compelled to review a podcast. I listened straight through. Excellent production and thoroughly engaging telling of a strange and infuriating piece of history. We need more native voices in the podcasting space. Thank you.
Fascinating
Such an interesting series. I had never heard of this incident and it’s fascinating and also terrible how people were treated and affected. I also love the narrators voice. It’s very soothing and easy to listen to.