Chasing the Moon

Original version

BBC Four HD

Documentaries

Factual

Factual: History

Factual: Science & Nature: Science & Technology

The story of the race to the Moon, from Sputnik 1 to Apollo 11.

The story of the race to the Moon, from the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 to Apollo 11, and the first man to set foot on the Moon, in 1969.

Series 1

BBC Four

Robert Stone

Chasing the Moon: Series 1: A Place Beyond the Sky - Part 1

A Place Beyond the Sky (Part One)

A Place Beyond the Sky - Part 1

BBC Four - Chasing the Moon, Series 1, A Place Beyond the Sky - Part 1

America's race to the moon begins with Soviet Russia's launch of Sputnik 1.

Documentary stories detailing America's determination to put a man on the moon ahead of Soviet Russia, beginning with how the launch of Sputnik 1 in 1957 compelled the USA to join the Space Race.

On 4 October 1957, Soviet scientists launched Sputnik 1 - a beach ball-sized, radio-transmitting aluminium alloy sphere - into orbit. The satellite caused a sensation. Amid Cold War tensions, the Soviet Union’s accomplishment signalled a dramatic technological advantage and American felt it had little choice but to join the Space Race. 

Then on 12 April 1961, the Soviets sealed their advantage when cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first man to orbit the Earth. John F Kennedy, the newly elected president, was faced with the issue of how to respond. Two days later, he called a meeting to find an American space programme that would promise equally dramatic results. Rocket manufacturer, and former Nazi, Wernher von Braun, convinced Kennedy that the Americans could beat the Russians to the Moon before the decade was out and the Saturn programme was born.

A film By Robert Stone.

A Robert Stone Production for American Experience WGBH/PBS in association with Arte France.

Chasing the Moon: Series 1

Knowledge, arts, music and culture from the UK and the world.

BBC Four reflects arts, music and culture with an ambitious range of intellectually and culturally enriching programmes, taking an expert and in-depth approach to its subjects.

Accessibility links

Programme Index

Chasing the Moon

Series 1

A Place Beyond the Sky - Part 1

Contributors

Genres

Formats

Brand

Series

BBC Four HD

About BBC Four