When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions – Specials
Episodes
Freedom 7
May 5, 1961, Astronaut Alan B. Shepard Jr. pilots the Freedom 7 capsule to become the first American in space. Covering 300 miles and lasting just 15 minutes, this suborbital flight etched Shepard's name in our collective minds.
Friendship 7: John Glenn
On February 20, 1962, Astronaut John Glenn pilots the Friendship 7 and becomes the first American to orbit the Earth. Relive launch footage from Cape Canaveral, including the exhilarating moments of re-entry, landing and recovery.
Proud Conquest: Gemini VII and VI
On December 15, 1965, NASA achieves a rendezvous in Earth orbit with two piloted spacecraft. Gemini 7, with Command Pilot Frank F. Borman II and Pilot James A. Lovell Jr., already in space for more than 10 days, meets with Gemini 6, guided by Command Pilot Walter M. Schirra and Pilot Thomas P. Stafford.
Apollo 8 Debrief
On December 21, 1968, Apollo 8 blasts into space aboard a Saturn V rocket with Mission Commander Borman, Command Module Pilot Lovell and Lunar Module Pilot William Anders. Their mission: to embark on the first flight around the Moon, preparing for those who would later land on its surface.
The Flight of Apollo 11
Apollo 11, with Commander Neil Armstrong, Command Module Pilot Michael Collins and Lunar Module Pilot Buzz Aldrin, becomes the first mission to land humans on the Moon on July 20, 1969. The daring mission fulfilled President John F. Kennedy's goal expressed in his thrilling 1961 speech, "I believe that this nation should commit itself to achieving the goal, before this decade is out, of landing a man on the Moon and returning him safely to the Earth."
NASA FILM HIGHLIGHTS: Four Days of Gemini 4
A brief clip of Ed White - the first American to take a spacewalk as he exits the craft into space for the first time.
Michael Collins: Astronaut
Interview from NASA's Archives: Michael Collins, Astronaut.
Joe Kosmo: Space Suit Engineer / Designer
Interview from NASA's Archives: Joe Kosmo, Space Suit Engineer/Designer.
Mercury Training
Mission Clip: Mercury Training
Ed White's Extravehicular Activity
Mission Clip: Gemini 4
Gemini 6 and 7 Rendezvous
Mission Clip: Gemini 6 and 7
Gemini 8 Docking with Agena
Mission Clip: Gemini 8
Gemini 9 Docking Attempt
Mission Clip: Gemini 9
NASA FILM HIGHLIGHTS: Apollo 13: Houston, We've Got A Problem
Highlights from the NASA film: Apollo 13: Houston, We've Got A Problem
Al Bean: Astronaut
Interview from NASA's Archives: Al Bean, Astronaut
Gene Kranz: Flight Director
Interview from NASA's Archives: Gene Kranz, Flight Director
Apollo 8: Launch & Stage Separation Sequences
Mission Clip: Apollo 8 Launch & Stage Separation Sequences
Apollo 8: Lunar & Earth Orbit
Mission Clip: Apollo 8 Lunar & Earth Orbit
Apollo 9: LM in Earth Orbit
Mission Clip: Apollo 9 LM in Earth Orbit
Apollo 11: Astronauts Return & Parade
Mission Clip: Apollo 11 Astronauts Return & Parade
Apollo 16: Rover Test Drive
Mission Clip: Apollo 16 Rover Test Drive
Apollo 17: Night Launch
Mission Clip: Apollo 17 Night Launch
NASA FILM HIGHLIGHTS: Skylab: The First 40 Days
Highlights from the NASA Film: Skylab: The 40 First Days
Shannon Lucid: Astronaut
Interview from NASA's Archives: Shannon Lucid, Astronaut
James Crocker: Aerospace Engineer
Interview from NASA's Archives: James Crocker, Aerospace Engineer
Skylab Tour
Mission Clip: Skylab Tour
Skylab Zero Gravity
Mission Clip: Skylab Zero Gravity
Shuttle STS-1 Launch
Mission Clip: Shuttle STS-1 Launch
Shuttle STS-1 Landing
Mission Clip: Shuttle STS-1 Landing
Shuttle STS-31 Hubble Deployment
Mission Clip: Shuttle STS-31 Hubble Deployment
Shuttle STS-61 Hubble Repair
Mission Clip: Shuttle STS-61 Hubble Repair