About this season
On May 25, 1961, President John F. Kennedy made a historic speech where he pledged to send astronauts to the moon before the end of the decade. Eight years later, on July 20, 1969, Apollo commander Neil Armstrong stepped out of the lunar module and made a giant leap for mankind - a step that symbolized one of the most remarkable feats in human history. From that moment on, the exploration of our universe has achieved unimaginable feats with hundreds of missions stretching light years into the distant galaxy. This exciting documentary series takes viewers into the past, present and future of NASA.
Episodes (7)
1. The History of Flying and The Space Race
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
Humans have always been reaching for the stars, but despite the path to the moon laid out by Jules Verne, they first needed to master flight.
2. Operation: Lift Off
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
As part of the Cold War arms race, the United States found itself engaged in the Space Race, pushing for superiority through technology
3. Shooting For The Moon
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
John F. Kennedy laid out the most ambitious Space Race goal in 1961 - for NASA to send the first humans to the surface of the moon and return them safely
4. The Apollo Missions
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
Culminating in the Apollo 11 landing, the Apollo missions were crowning achievements not just for NASA and the United States, but also for mankind.
5. After a Giant Leap
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
Having essentially won the Space Race with the Soviet Union, and in the midst of economic turmoil, NASA's priorities are restructured. Apollo 17 marks the end of manned missions to the moon, and the transition towards more Earth-focused missions.
6. The Shuttle and Living in Space
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
NASA's space shuttle program allows for easier access to orbit with reusable craft, paving the way for more advanced satellites and the first major space stations.
7. The 21st Century & Beyond
Aired 4 October 2016 • 45 min
The International Space Station is launched in the 21st Century, marking a major turning point in international cooperation in space exploration. However, with the looming retirement of the space shuttle and a suitable replacement project mothballed, modern NASA is faced with major challenges. But successful Mars rovers fuel dreams of another moonshot project, this time to the Red Planet.