13 Minutes Presents: The Space Shuttle
BBC World Service
Epic space stories. From the first Moon landing, to Apollo 13, to the Space Shuttle. Told by the people who made them happen.NEW: Season 3: The Space Shuttle. A sci-fi dream that changed spaceflight forever. From the boldest test flight in history to one of Nasa’s darkest days – the Challenger disaster. Space scientist Maggie Aderin-Pocock tells the awe-inspiring story of the programme that brought triumph and tragedy. Some scenes in this series use recreated sound effects. Season 2: Apollo 13. Apollo 13 should have been the third Moon landing, but after an explosion, it almost ended in tragedy. Told by the people who flew it and saved it. Presented and co-written by Kevin Fong.Season 1: 13 Minutes to the Moon. The first Moon landing. In the final dramatic 13-minute descent to the Moon, the Apollo 11 mission came close to going badly wrong. Communication was breaking down, technology was failing and fuel was running out. This is the story of how the first Moon landing was saved. Presented by Kevin Fong.13 Minutes is produced by the BBC Audio Science Unit for the BBC World Service. Season 3 theme music by Hans Zimmer and Christian Lundberg and produced by Russell Emanuel, for Bleeding Fingers Music.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Jul 14, 2019 • 46min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 10. ‘For all mankind’
Guests on this episode include Apollo 11 astronaut Charlie Duke, pioneer of mission control Poppy Northcutt, former director of NASA's Johnson Space Center George Abbey, and more. They discuss topics such as radio static issues during the descent, communication challenges faced by mission control, the significance of the computer in the success of the mission, the tense final descent to the lunar surface, and Capcom Charlie Duke's desk on July 20th, 1969.
Jul 7, 2019 • 39min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 9. Tranquility Base
Experience the nail-biting final moments of Apollo 11's mission as Neil Armstrong faces communication issues and dwindling fuel. Armstrong takes manual control to ensure a safe landing, showcasing the crucial partnership between human decision-making and computer assistance. Reflect on Armstrong's iconic moonwalk and stay tuned for future episodes delving deeper into this historic moment.
Jun 30, 2019 • 41min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 8. ‘We’re go for powered descent’
The 13-minute descent to the Moon begins, and it’s all going wrong for Apollo 11. They’re going too fast, alarms are flashing and the crew loses contact with Nasa mission control. The epic moments that almost jeopardised the first Moon landing.Hosted by Kevin Fong.Starring:
Charlie Duke
Steve Bales
Don EylesCourtesy of the Johnson Space Center Oral History Project:
Neil Armstrong
Gene Kranz
Jay Greene
Jack Garman
Bob CarltonTheme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music.#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes
Jun 23, 2019 • 42min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 7. Michael Collins: The third man
Explore Michael Collins' crucial role as the third man in Apollo 11, navigating the spacecraft with precision and skill. Experience the tense moments of the powered descent to the lunar surface and the awe-inspiring sight of the moon up close. Delve into Collins' solo journey around the moon and his interactions with fellow crew members, highlighting the intense training and responsibilities faced by astronauts on this historic mission.
Jun 16, 2019 • 47min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 6. Saving 1968
Explore the turbulent year of 1968 and how NASA took a monumental risk with Apollo 8, venturing further from Earth than ever before. Dive into the Apollo 8 mission, the astronauts' experience orbiting the moon, and witnessing the far side of the moon. Reflect on Earth's smallness and the iconic 'Earthrise' photo, as well as the impact of Apollo 8 on humanity's perspective of the universe.
Jun 9, 2019 • 48min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 5. The fourth astronaut
Learn about the groundbreaking computer that guided Apollo 11 to the moon, the first digital portable general purpose computer. Explore the innovative work of MIT that paved the way for the digital age. Hear from key figures involved in this technological feat, including Margaret Hamilton and Eldon Hall.
Jun 2, 2019 • 46min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 4. Fire to the Phoenix
Former NASA astronauts, flight directors, and engineers discuss the Apollo program, focusing on the tragic fire of Apollo 1 and the successful test mission of Apollo 7. They delve into the challenges faced, lack of leadership, and the emotional impact of the fire. The chapter also explores the vital role of the Apollo guidance computer in the moon landing.
May 26, 2019 • 43min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 3. Long Island Eagle
Exploring the unique design and history of the Apollo Lunar Module, the challenges faced during the design process, the engineering decisions that defined its appearance, and the dedication of the Long Island engineers who built it under pressure. Delving into the weight reduction challenges, training of astronauts for piloting the module, and the protective insulation installed to safeguard the spacecraft and crew.
27 snips
May 19, 2019 • 48min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 2. Kids in control
Crisis strikes Apollo 11. The Moon landing is threatened when an alarm goes off. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are minutes from the lunar surface when the spacecraft computer flashes error code 1202. It’s a major test for Nasa mission control - average age just 26. Flight controller Steve Bales must decide if the Moon landing can proceed. Can he and his team save this epic spaceflight in time? These engineers, scientists, controllers and programmers are the unsung heroes who worked behind the scenes to make one of history’s greatest space missions possible.Hosted by Kevin Fong.Starring:
Steve Bales
Charlie Duke
John Aaron
Glynn Lunney
Gerry Griffin
Jerry Bostick
Gene Kranz courtesy of the Johnson Space Center History Office Archive: Johnson Space Center History OfficeTheme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutes
42 snips
May 12, 2019 • 45min
13 Minutes to the Moon: 1. ‘We choose to go’, Apollo 11
President John F. Kennedy boldly vows that America will land the first astronaut on the Moon by the end of the 1960s. It’s the height of the Cold War. But with superpower rival the Soviet Union leading the space race, after launching the first human spaceflight, the odds seem stacked against them. The Apollo programme, the USA’s daring answer to the race to the Moon, is an epic journey of innovation and exploration. Can Nasa change the course of space history?Hosted by Kevin Fong.Starring:
Michael Collins
Steve Bales
Margaret Hamilton
Jim Lovell
Charlie DukeTheme music by Hans Zimmer for Bleeding Fingers Music#13MinutestotheMoon
www.bbcworldservice.com/13minutesThis episode was updated on 14 May 2019.
