This view from the Apollo 8, looking at the Earth from above the moon, is one of the most beautiful, and amazing pictures, I must say. This episode was all about the Apollo and Spacelab programs, read on to see what it’s all about~

The primary objective was to get man to the moon – from orbiting the moon, to making a lunar lander and learning how to use it, to finally setting foot on the lunar landscape. It all had to start with getting a rocket out of the Earth’s gravitational pull, and to do that, they created the Saturn V rocket. Remember when we all went to Kennedy Space Center and saw that GIANT rocket inside the building? It’s THAT one. From Apollo 11 to Apollo 17, astronauts (for example, the most well-known one of all, Neil Armstrong), astronauts were able to set their feet upon the moon’s surface, walk across it, and take samples of lunar rocks and soil to bring back to Earth for further research.

There was one exception – Apollo 13. This mission was almost a disaster; the electrical systems failed, and oxygen was leaking out of the ship. With 3 days to return back, and carbon dioxide (a buildup could create poisonous air) building up, it was unsure if they could make it back alive. With a makeshift filter, they were able to reduce the carbon levels, and made it back safely. As said on the show, first priority was bringing the crew back safe, not mission success.

The skylab project’s objective was to show astronauts could be left in space for extended periods of time, to do research and experiments in a space-like, weightless environment. It started out rough though, with Skylab 1 being non-functional after a shock to the system during launch. Afterwards, with skylab 2 and 3, the project allowed astronauts to survive and function in space, so extensive research and experiments could be done.

I don’t know, but it was a random though to think about that flag that was put on the moon on the first moonwalk. Is it still there? Is it still standing and in perfect condition? Who knows, hopefully I’ll get to see it someday, and look at the Earth from the Moon like the crew from Apollo 8 (and all the other crews) got to see.

It was the first (or first two? I can’t remember if they’re doing two 1-hour episodes each time, or if it’s one two-hour episode, or just a two-hour premiere special?) day of Discovery Channel’s “When We Left Earth.”

In short, it is all about the history of our journey into space – the first episode being about sub-orbit experimentation, trying to rally back against the Soviet Union’s push into space, all the way to spacewalks and EVAs (Extra-vehicular activities, which means going outside of the spaceship to do work or experiments.).

Why am I writing this?
1. I enjoy space, and wondering what’s out there; and this is all about how it began. If it weren’t for the space race and human curiosity, we would not have the chance to find out what is out there, or how it feels to be in space.
2. I know friends (from Japan) are going to enjoy hearing about this; knowing the enjoyment they had from taking them to Kennedy Space Center, and the Shuttle Endeavour launch on March 11 (I remember being up that late, and they had school the next day, after getting home at 4am).

The Mercury Project was all about getting a man into orbit around the earth, starting with the experimental Chimpanzee named Ham, to see how he would react to sub-orbit conditions. A series of seven rocket launches would gradually get from sub-orbit “up-and down” (They would go up into sub-orbit, then come right back down, into the ocean), up to the final Mercury flight with John Glenn and a 3 orbit journey.

The Gemini project was next, and was a series of rocket launches with not one – but two people this time. They also experimented with docking spaceships together, and with weightlessness.

To be honest, writing it all down doesn’t compare to watching it all. From hearing it straight from the astronauts themselves, to seeing and hearing footage from the rocket launches, it’s all so interesting and amazing. If I could buy my friends in Japan the DVDs, I really would…but then there’s always the region limitations.

If you all read this, let me know what you wanna know about the show! There are two rocket launches in October, and I will take pictures of both of them for you all!