• 30m
    • Documentary
    The December 1968 journey of the Apollo 8 crew into lunar orbit verified the essential elements of the Apollo-Saturn system, and at the same time gave man a view of the Earth that will live through the ages. For many of us, the Apollo 8 mission and broadcasts will always hold a special significance in the history of space exploration. This unique three-disc set features the television transmissions from Apollo 8, along with rare footage of preparation, launch, all the onboard footage, and recovery. You'll come to know the mission as never before, and take an extraordinary look at the voyage when man left the cradle of the Earth.

    12 episodes

    Special 1 Transmission #1

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    TV Transmission #1 took place on Sunday, December 22nd, 1968, at 31:08 ground elapsed time. At this point the spacecraft was approximately halfway between the Earth and the Moon. This transmission shows the interior of the spacecraft with an attempt to show views of the Earth. Trouble with the telephoto lens prevented good pictures of Earth. Audio is air to ground with the flight director's loop. (13:50)

    Special 2 Transmission #2

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    TV Transmission #2, on Monday, December 23rd, showed the Earth from a distance of 180,000 miles. Audio is air to ground with flight director's loop. 55:07 GET. (21:52)

    Special 3 Transmission #3

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    TV Transmission #3, the first of two transmissions on Christmas Eve, gave television audiences their first close up views of the lunar surface. During this transmission, the spacecraft was in a 168.8 x 59.9 nautical mile orbit of the Moon. Audio from air to ground and the flight director's loop. 71:40 GET. (12:40)

    Special 4 Transmission #4

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    TV Transmission #4, the second Christmas Eve broadcast, and the most famous, again showed views of the lunar surface. During this transmission, Apollo 8 was orbiting the moon at 60.7 x 59.7 nautical miles. The broadcast ends with a reading from the book of Genesis and a historic sign-off from the first travelers to another world. Audio is air to ground and flight director's loop. 85:41 GET. (25:20)

    Special 5 Transmission #5

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    TV Transmission #5, on Christmas Day. This transmission occurred after the successful trans-Earth injection burn which put the spacecraft on course for home. The broadcast shows the interior of the spacecraft. Audio is air to ground and flight director's loop. 104:24 GET. (10:00)

    Special 6 Transmission #6

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    TV Transmission #6, Thursday, December 26th, 1968, 128:01 GET. From the day before the return to Earth. Shots of Earth. Air to ground and flight director audio. (4:20)

    Special 7 Magazine H

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    Magazine H - Taken just after trans-lunar injection, a few hours after liftoff. Shows the Earth and the third stage of the Saturn after separation, along with some views of the lunar surface. Audio is air to ground transmission from TLI and separation.

    Special 8 Magazine I

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    Magazine I - Lunar surface views. Audio commentary is from the post flight photo debriefing with Bill Anders.

    Special 9 Magazine J

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    Magazine J - Lunar surface views. Audio is air to ground transmissions from lunar orbit insertion and trans-Earth injection.

    Special 10 Magazine K

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    Magazine K - Lunar surface views and interior spacecraft. Audio is from the onboard recorder during the burn which placed the spacecraft into lunar orbit. Since the burn took place while on the far side, no communication with Earth was possible at the time.

    Special 11 Magazine Q

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    Magazine Q - Lunar surface views. Audio is from the onboard recorder during the taking of the famous "earthrise" photographs.

    Special 12 Magazine R

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    Magazine R - Interior spacecraft - Audio commentary is from the post flight debriefing on navigation with Jim Lovell.

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