The podcast explores the origins of the Apollo program, driven by President Kennedy's commitment to send humans to the moon and assert American dominance in science and technology.
The episode highlights the role of young flight controllers, around 27 years old, who played a crucial role in the success of the Apollo missions, showcasing their audacity, problem-solving abilities, and dedication.
Deep dives
Apollo 11 Mission and Interviewing Michael Collins
The podcast episode begins with the host recounting his excitement and nerves about interviewing Michael Collins, one of the astronauts from the Apollo 11 mission. Collins reflects on the reception they received from people all over the world, emphasizing the unity and collective achievement of humanity. The episode provides a glimpse into the dramatic 13 minutes before landing on the moon, discussing issues with communication, unexpected challenges, and the tension in mission control. It highlights the bravery, dedication, and young average age of the people involved in the Apollo program. This podcast aims to tell the story of the final 13 minutes of Apollo 11's mission while exploring the events and work that led to that historic moment.
J.F.K.'s Vision and Setting the Goal
The podcast delves into the origins of the Apollo program, tracing back to President John F. Kennedy's commitment to send humans to the moon before the end of the 1960s. Kennedy's influential speech at Rice University in 1962 solidified the nation's goal of landing on the moon. The episode explores the Cold War context, the fear of Soviet technological superiority, and the desire for American dominance in science and technology. Despite initial skepticism and technical challenges, Kennedy's vision pushed the nation to commit significant resources and mobilize efforts to achieve this incredible feat of exploration and human achievement.
Verner von Braun and the Saturn V Rocket
The podcast highlights the role of Verner von Braun, a German-born engineer, in the development of the Saturn V rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built. It explores von Braun's controversial history with the V-2 rocket program during World War II and his surrenders to the Americans at the end of the war. Von Braun's desire to pursue space travel aligned with President Kennedy's vision, and he played a crucial role in the American rocket program. The episode describes the immense power and scale of the Saturn V rocket, which propelled the Apollo astronauts to the moon. The technological advancements and innovations of the rocket were pivotal in realizing the goal of lunar exploration.
The Making of Mission Control and the Flight Controllers
The podcast episode looks at the creation of mission control and the team of young flight controllers who played a vital role in the success of the Apollo missions. The episode emphasizes the average age of the flight controllers, around 27 years old, highlighting their youth and audacity in taking on such a monumental task. These flight controllers were responsible for guiding the spacecraft and troubleshooting any issues during the critical 13 minutes before the moon landing. The episode showcases their dedication, problem-solving abilities, and the trust placed in them by the astronauts and NASA. Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring the safe and successful completion of the mission.
With no idea how to get there, the race to the moon begins – "we intend to win". To understand how the story ends, we need to start at the very beginning. With Kevin Fong.
Starring:
Michael Collins
Steve Bales
Margaret Hamilton
Jim Lovell
Charlie Duke
Theme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music
#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes
This episode was updated on 14 May 2019.
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