The early days of the space race were full of urgency, uncertainty, huge risks, and even bigger rewards. Witness NASA’s first team of astronauts endure a crash course in space travel, presented through rare footage and interviews.
By the mid-1960s, America’s dream of reaching the moon is closer than ever to becoming a reality. But in January 1967, a flash fire during a routine test kills three astronauts and lands the space program in jeopardy.
While the Vietnam War and a pair of assassinations fray America’s social fabric, NASA stays on track to meet JFK’s mission to send a man to the moon and back. See how Apollo missions 7, 8, and 9 set the stage for humankind’s greatest voyage.
The launch of Apollo 11 in 1969 represents a decade of sacrifice, dedication, and sheer determination. Look back on humankind’s most ambitious journey, revealed through secrets hidden inside Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum.
After the success of Apollo 11, NASA dreams up new missions, each more ambitious than the last. But a series of budget cuts, waning public interest, and two near-disasters put the future of the space program in jeopardy.
After Apollo 13’s near-disaster, NASA faces political and public pressure to prove moon landings are still worth the cost and risk. Despite new missions that push the limits of engineering, the program is ultimately grounded because of budget cuts.
Tim Evans
Producer
Charles Poe
David Royle
