Chasing the Moon

Synopsis

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.

First Air Date: 2019-07-08

Last Air Date: 2019-07-10

Number of Seasons: 1

Number of Episodes: 3

Created By: Robert Stone

Networks: PBS

View Technical Specifications on IMDb

Top Cast

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

Seasons

Season 1 (2019)

No overview available for this season.

Episodes:

Ep. 1: A Place Beyond the Sky (2019-07-08)

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 dramatic technological advantage and American felt it had little choice but to join the Space Race.
Ep. 2: Earthrise (2019-07-09)

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.
Ep. 3: Magnificent Desolation (2019-07-10)

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.