NASA releases iconic documentary of first moon landing for free

Fri, 18 Jul, 2014 - 14:14

Dave Molloy

What was the atmosphere like on launch day in 1969? Who were the women who sewed together the spacesuits and thermal underwear? And what was it like in mission control?

It's been 45 years since man set foot on the moon, and to celebrate, NASA is giving away its in-depth documentary on the historic occasion for free.

Moonwalk One isn't a quick viral video - it is a 105-minute documentary film with full access to NASA's own archive footage from one of mankind's most incredible achievements.

'Moonwalk One' captures the atmosphere of the 1969 public, just as much as it covers the mission itself.

Originally released in 1970, the documentary wasn't an immediate hit – because the public had lived through the occasion first-hand, and had reached saturation point. So the film was forgotten - until it was rediscovered and remastered in 2007.

Now, as we approach the anniversary of the landing on Sunday, NASA has uploaded the film in its entirety to YouTube.

'I hope that part don't fail, because I'd feel it was my fault if it did': seamstresses made the 1960s suits meticulously, by hand.

Highlights include the seamstresses who created the iconic spacesuits (45:50); launch day itself (10:00), and the tension in mission control as Apollo 11 attempted dangerous re-entry (1:25:00).

Add it to your must-watch list, and get a real taste of one of the moments that defined modern human history.