“While all other phases of the lunar mission can be demonstrated in Earth or lunar orbit, the manned lunar landing can be demonstrated only by its accomplishment.”
If you were ever curious about the technical details of a lunar landing, this film is for you. Beginning with a funky beat under opening title credits, this film from the Mission Planning and Analysis Division of the Manned Spacecraft Center explains how the lunar landing will take place. After a brief overview of a lunar-landing timeline and objectives, the film spares no detail as it covers everything from velocities to trajectories to the roles of every system and subsystem that makes the landing possible. Here we learn about the primary guidance and navigation system, or PNGS (pronounced “pings”). Except for some live-action stock footage in the first and last few minutes of the film, the depiction of the lunar-landing process is entirely animated.
Date Released: 1968
File #: MSC-68-458
Produced By: NASA/MSC
Program Duration: 18:58
Media: 16mm Film
Reel Length: 697 ft
Audio: Optical, Variable Area
Film Stock: Ektachrome
Film Stock Edge Code Date: 1969