Watch NASA Video Collection: NASA - The 25th Year

The NASA Video Collection: NASA - The 25th Year is a documentary that takes us through the major milestones and achievements of NASA over the course of its first quarter-century. Released in 1983, the film explores the agency's journey since its inception in 1958, and the groundbreaking discoveries and contributions to science and space exploration made along the way.

Narrated by James Whitmore, the movie takes the viewer on a journey through the various NASA programs, including the Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Archival footage and images showcase the history of NASA, featuring interviews with astronauts, engineers, and scientists who helped make NASA what it is today.

Beginning with an overview of the early days of NASA, the documentary dives into the challenges faced by the agency in its early years, including the aftermath of the Soviet Union's launch of Sputnik in 1957. The film discusses how NASA's success on the world stage was instrumental in boosting national morale after several difficult years of the Cold War.

The documentary then explores NASA's early space exploration programs, including Mercury and Gemini, which were instrumental in laying the groundwork for the widely-celebrated Apollo program. The Mercury program, which ran from 1958 to 1963, put the first American, Alan Shepard, into space. These launches were significant as they were the first time humans had ever flown in space.

The documentary then moves onto the Gemini program, which ran from 1962 to 1966. Gemini was critical in many aspects of space exploration, including developing techniques for rendezvous and docking, spacewalking, and other essential procedures that made the Moon landings possible.

After covering these initial programs, the documentary focuses on the Apollo program, which put twelve men on the moon between 1969 and 1972. Through archival footage, the viewer is transported back in time to the incredible moments that captured the attention of the world, including the Apollo 11 lunar landing in 1969, which saw Neil Armstrong step foot on the Moon's surface for the first time in history.

The documentary showcases the excitement and anticipation that surrounded the Apollo program's final missions, leading up to the final launch, Apollo 17, in 1972. The movie celebrates NASA's unparalleled accomplishments in space exploration at the time, and how the agency served as a shining example of American innovation.

The movie also examines the diverse scientific contributions that NASA has made over the years, including in areas such as meteorology, Earth observation, and astrophysics. From the Hubble Telescope to the Mars Rover, NASA has consistently pushed the limits of scientific exploration and discovery.

NASA's journey over its first 25 years was not without its challenges, including the Challenger disaster in 1986 that claimed seven lives. The documentary acknowledges these tragedies while emphasizing how they have only strengthened NASA's dedication to safety, innovation, and exploration.

Overall, NASA Video Collection: NASA - The 25th Year is a compelling and informative documentary that provides a window into NASA and its incredible accomplishments over its first quarter-century. Through archival footage and interviews with key figures, the film showcases the dedication, skill, and innovative spirit of the men and women who made space exploration possible. It is a must-watch for anyone interested in NASA's history and the incredible strides made in space exploration.