Watch American Experience: Space Men

American Experience: Space Men is a documentary series produced by PBS that tells the story of the unsung heroes of the United States space program. This four-part series takes an in-depth look at the challenges that faced astronauts and engineers during the infancy of the American space program, from the first manned space mission in 1961 to the end of the Apollo program in 1975.

The series features archival footage, interviews with surviving astronauts and engineers, and commentary from historians and experts in space exploration. The show's first episode, titled "The Mercury Seven", focuses on the seven original astronauts chosen by NASA in 1959. The episode explores their personal lives and career paths, as well as the rigorous training they underwent to prepare for their missions.

The second episode, "The Gemini Program", chronicles the second phase of NASA's space program, which focused on developing technology and techniques for longer duration space flights. The episode highlights the famous Gemini 4 mission, in which astronaut Ed White became the first American to perform a spacewalk.

The third episode, "The Shuttle Program", explores the development and evolution of NASA's space shuttle program, which became the agency's primary means of space transportation from 1981 to 2011. The episode covers the shuttle's debut flight, its subsequent missions, and the tragic Challenger and Columbia disasters that claimed the lives of 14 astronauts.

The fourth and final episode, "The Apollo Program", recounts the most famous and ambitious mission of the American space program, the Apollo program. The episode covers the first manned Apollo mission in 1968, the moon landing in 1969, and the subsequent Apollo missions that followed. The episode also delves into the political and societal factors that led to the eventual end of the Apollo program.

Overall, American Experience: Space Men is a compelling and informative documentary series that sheds light on the human stories behind one of the most incredible achievements in modern history. The series not only provides a comprehensive overview of the American space program, but also captures the attitudes and spirit of the time in which these events unfolded. The series is suitable for all ages, particularly those with an interest in science, history, and space exploration.

American Experience: Space Men is a series that is currently running and has 1 seasons (1 episodes). The series first aired on March 1, 2016.