Chasing the Moon

S01E02: Earthrise

What exactly was it going to take for America to beat the Soviets to the moon? Cold War tensions persisted, as rumours circulated that the Soviets were preparing to send an unmanned spacecraft to the moon. Nasa quickly developed the Gemini program, sending astronauts into orbit around the Earth to practice critical manoeuvres for the eventual trip to the moon.

Overview

An unprecedented look at the decade-long odyssey to land a man on the moon. This documentary pulls back the curtain on the familiar narrative of the moonshot, revealing a fascinating stew of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle, visionary impulses and personal drama.

Episodes

A Place Beyond the Sky

S01E01 A Place Beyond the Sky

July 8, 2019 112 min
On 4 October 1957, Soviet scientists launched Sputnik 1 - a beach ball-sized, radio-transmitting aluminium alloy sphere - into orbit. The satellite caused a sensation. Amid Cold War tensions, the Soviet Union’s accomplishment signalled a...
Earthrise

S01E02 Earthrise

July 9, 2019 112 min
What exactly was it going to take for America to beat the Soviets to the moon? Cold War tensions persisted, as rumours circulated that the Soviets were preparing to send an unmanned spacecraft to the...
Magnificent Desolation

S01E03 Magnificent Desolation

July 10, 2019 112 min
After the immediate celebration of 1968’s successful Apollo 8 mission, underlying questions about the space programme emerged with new intensity as politicized young Americans challenged the nation’s priorities. Nasa pushed brashly forward.

Cast

Sergei Khrushchev
Self
Buzz Aldrin
Buzz Aldrin
Self
Michael Collins
Self
Frank Borman
Frank Borman
Self
Yuri Gagarin
Yuri Gagarin
Self

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