Spacecraft Films

Apollo 11 : To The Moon Launch Sample

I've been asked about some other areas of the To The Moon set, so I'm also posting this bit from the launch sequence. I'm reluctant to put too much on line, as this set took a very long time to create, and there are a number of people waiting on their copy. They made this set happen, and they have been extremely patient. Here's a short part of launch:

 

Apollo 11: To The Moon

I've been asked more times than I can name to explain the difference between the Apollo 11: Men on the Moon set and the 4-DVD Apollo 11: To The Moon set. I hope that I'm able to convey the differences here. The Men on the Moon set (3-DVDs) is more conventional, in that it is a complete collection of the television, preparation, 16mm film, recovery, etc., with narration and various audio pieces used for the film that was shot without sound (which was most of the film documentation). The set also has unique material on the landing, using the post-flight debriefing.

The Apollo 11: To The Moon (4-DVDs) was inspired by the Friendship 7 piece we produced on the Mercury set. It features the entire mission, in a linear fashion. Every bit of it, starting about 2.5 hours before liftoff, through the astronauts arriving on the Hornet. When a television transmission is occuring, it is there. When a photo is taken, it is there. When 16mm film is captured, it is there, in the proper place (as nearly as can be determined). The set includes both the air to ground AND the onboard audio, so you are able to continue to follow the mission behind the Moon and during key mission events. It is constructed out of a combination of footage and slideshows on DVD, which enables it to fit on 4 discs.

What happens when there isn't TV or a photo or 16mm film? Detailed graphics (if any of you have the Apollo 12 set, it is similar to the second EVA as we rebuilt it). For a look at a portion of the mission that is detailed with graphics, here is a 15 minute clip from the start of Day 4. It really is an extraordinary way to experience the entire Apollo 11 mission.

 

 

Apollo 11 - June 25 RP-1 Loading

44 years ago today... in the countdown for Apollo 11, June 25 was an important date. The RP-1 for the flight was loaded into the first stage. While the cryogenics weren't loaded until launch day (for obvious reasons), the fuel was already onboard the first stage for nearly a month. Here's how it worked:

 

Beautiful Saturn, courtesy of Cassini...

I started this piece a long time ago. It was the beginnings of some material on unmanned spacecraft. I took a little time and finished it tonight, so I'll share it. The imagery from Cassini is ablsolutely stunning.

 

The early, golden age of space exploration. Right up close...

Here's a piece from our Project Mercury set. An RCS test, out by Hangar "S" at the Cape. Back in those days, testing was done right up close, hydrogen peroxide thrusters at close range!