“The success of [the Apollo 4] mission would say, ‘We’re packing our suitcases and we’re heading for the Moon.’”
Continuing where the previous reports left off, this progress report begins with coverage of the Apollo 4 mission, the first unmanned flight of the Saturn V launch vehicle. This segment of the report prominently features mission control at the Manned Spacecraft Center, as we hear them go through various checks and sequences during the launch and flight of the Apollo 4 spacecraft. (At liftoff, we can even hear flight controllers hollering in the background.) We also get a preview of the Apollo 5 mission, which would feature the first test flight of the Lunar Module. Next, the progress on simulators and their use in training is updated, and we are introduced to the funky-looking Lunar Landing Research Vehicle. It cannot be stressed enough how the Apollo 1 disaster spurred design changes and technological advances that would effect progress in the Apollo program, as we get yet another briefing on the developments that NASA made. This report concludes with an update on ground-based support for Project Apollo, including observatories and the Lunar Receiving Laboratory.
Date Released: 1968
File #: N/A
Produced By: NASA/MSC
Program Duration: 15:05
Media: 16mm Film
Reel Length: 564 ft
Audio: Optical, Variable Area
Film Stock: Ektachrome
Film Stock Edge Code Date: 1968