Watch Moonshot

Moonshot was a six-part documentary series that aired on A&E in 2009. The show explored the history of space exploration and the journey to the moon, focusing on the various missions, people, and technological advancements that made it all possible. Each episode of Moonshot focused on a different aspect of the space race, from the early days of the Soviet Union's Sputnik launch to the final Apollo missions and beyond. The show featured interviews with astronauts, scientists, engineers, historians, and other experts, who provided insights and commentary on the events and developments that shaped the space race.

The first episode, titled "Sputnik," examined the Soviet Union's surprise launch of the world's first artificial satellite in 1957, and its impact on the United States and the rest of the world. The episode explored the fear and uncertainty that the launch caused in the US, as well as the political and scientific responses that it spurred.

The second episode, titled "Mercury," focused on the early days of the US space program and the race to put a man into space. The episode profiled the seven Mercury astronauts, detailing their training and preparations for the historic mission.

The third episode, titled "Gemini," covered the mid-1960s, when NASA shifted its focus to developing the technologies and techniques needed for a lunar landing. The episode explored the Gemini missions, including the first American spacewalk, and the scientific and technical advancements that made a moon landing possible.

The fourth episode, titled "Apollo 8," told the story of the first mission to orbit the moon, which took place in 1968. The episode highlighted the risks and challenges of the mission, as well as the iconic "Earthrise" photograph that the crew captured during their lunar orbit.

The fifth episode, titled "Apollo 11," documented the historic moon landing of 1969, focusing on the experiences of the astronauts, including Neil Armstrong's famous words as he set foot on the lunar surface. The episode also explored the scientific and technological achievements of the mission, and its impact on the world.

The sixth and final episode, titled "The Future," looked at the legacy of the space race and the prospects for future space exploration. The episode featured interviews with experts and visionaries, who discussed the challenges and opportunities of exploring space, as well as the ambitions of private space companies like SpaceX.

Throughout the series, Moonshot blended archival footage, reenactments, and interviews to tell a compelling story of humanity's quest to explore space. The show was praised for its engaging storytelling and its ability to capture both the technical and human aspects of the space race. Overall, Moonshot was an informative and inspiring look at one of the most remarkable and transformative periods of human history.