Horizon Season 1978 Episode 11 One Small Step

Horizon season 1978 episode 11, titled "One Small Step," follows the story of NASA's landmark achievement: sending astronauts to the Moon. The episode explores the historical significance of this event, as well as the technical challenges that had to be overcome to make it happen.

The episode begins with a brief overview of the early days of space exploration, including the Soviet Union's launch of the first satellite, Sputnik, in 1957. It then moves on to focus on the key players in the American space program, including President John F. Kennedy, who famously committed the US to landing a man on the Moon by the end of the 1960s.

The episode then delves into the technical challenges of the mission, from designing a rocket powerful enough to launch the spacecraft out of Earth's atmosphere to developing a new type of spacesuit that would allow the astronaut to move and work on the Moon's surface.

Throughout the episode, a number of experts are interviewed, including NASA engineers, astronauts, and historians. They offer insights into the various milestones leading up to the Moon landing, such as the first manned space flight by Yuri Gagarin, the tragic loss of three astronauts in the Apollo 1 fire, and the successful test flight of the lunar lander.

The episode also features archival footage of the early space program, including the dramatic moments of the Apollo 11 mission itself, when Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin landed on the Moon and took their first steps on its surface. The significance of this moment in history is not lost on the experts interviewed, who speak passionately about the impact the Moon landing had on the world, both politically and culturally.

Overall, "One Small Step" offers a fascinating look into the history of the American space program and the achievement of one of humanity's greatest accomplishments. The expert interviews and archival footage provide a compelling narrative, while the technical details of the mission give the viewer a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of this historic moment.