Watch Hack the Moon: Unsung Heroes of Apollo

Hack the Moon: Unsung Heroes of Apollo is a documentary film which takes us on a journey through the unsung heroes and groundbreaking technological advancements that led to the success of the Apollo missions. The title of the movie refers to the term "hack" in the sense of finding innovative solutions, rather than in its negative connotation. It is a story about innovation and dedication, and the fascinating behind-the-scenes work that went into making the Apollo missions possible.

The documentary is produced by the internet pioneer, Fred Mills, who is known for his production of the "Beyond the Wall" documentary, and directed by the BBC4's award-winning director, David Kennard. The film runs for 96 minutes and features interviews with engineers, scientists, and other people who played crucial roles in the Apollo missions.

The film begins by introducing us to the Apollo program and the goal of landing humans on the moon. Then, it dives into the challenges that the engineers and scientists at NASA had to overcome to make this goal a reality. One of the major challenges they faced was the limited technology available at that time, which made it difficult to communicate with the spacecraft and navigate it through space. The result was a massive undertaking that required the creation of new technologies and the use of old ones in innovative ways.

The film then guides us through the technological innovations that were developed to make the moon landing possible. We meet unsung heroes such as Margaret Hamilton, who wrote the software that helped guide the lunar module to the moon's surface. We also learn about the complex process of designing and building the Lunar Module, a spacecraft that was only intended to be used once, and the challenges the engineers faced to perfect the spacecraft in time for the missions. Additionally, the film features lesser-known stories, including how engineers had to deal with the moon's dust and its effect on the lunar module's navigation sensors, as well as the difficulties of designing the Apollo spacesuits which had to shield the astronauts from the harsh environment of space.

The film expertly weaves interviews with archival footage and animations to provide a visual representation of the technology used in the Apollo missions. The film also features breathtaking visuals of the moon landing itself, beautifully shot and edited from archival footage. These visuals bring to life the excitement and awe of the momentous occasion, and allow viewers to experience the landing of the Eagle lander on the moon's surface fully.

One of the film's strengths is its focus on the unsung heroes of the Apollo missions, the people behind the scenes whose work was essential to the mission's success. We witness the passion and dedication of the engineers and scientists who worked tirelessly under pressure to create groundbreaking technologies that no one had ever seen before. These individuals were responsible for making the impossible possible, and their stories and contributions have been overlooked for too long.

Overall, Hack the Moon: Unsung Heroes of Apollo is an engaging and informative documentary that offers a fresh perspective on the Apollo missions. It takes us behind the scenes of one of the most significant achievements in human history and highlights the unsung heroes and the innovative thinking that made it all possible. It is a testament to human ingenuity, passion, and perseverance and is a must-watch for anyone interested in space exploration and the history of technology.

Hack the Moon: Unsung Heroes of Apollo is a 2019 documentary with a runtime of 22 minutes.