Film Screening: In the Shadow of the Moon

2019 marks the 50th anniversary of NASA’s Apollo program. The mission’s crewed flights began in 1968 with the first lunar circumnavigation; on July 20, 1969 Neil Armstrong became the first human to step foot on another planet. By the end of 1972 Apollo’s funding was cut short and NASA’s moon explorations were over. From 1969 to 1972 there were eight crewed missions and 12 astronauts walked on the surface of the moon, exploring and doing scientific work “for the benefit of all mankind.” This award-winning documentary explores remastered archival footage and the recollections and commentary of almost every astronaut alive in 2007 regarding their participation in the Apollo program. Note the determination and awe that echoes through the memories of these unique Americans. Learn what they thought about the tumultuous decade of the 1960s and how their accomplishment seemed to bring the world together, ever so briefly. Hear what they say about humans going back to the moon and beyond, a feat that is once again on NASA’s radar. The film will be introduced by 2018/2019 Center for Cold War Studies fellow, Christina Roberts, a PhD student in the History of Science program at UCSB. Light refreshments served.