The Pillars of Fire
Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, July 16, 1969.
Historical Narrator
The morning of July 16th was hot, the Florida humidity clinging to the three hundred and sixty-three foot giant waiting on the pad. Charlie Duke, the voice of Houston, checked the vitals one last time.
Charlie Duke
Apollo 11, this is Houston. You are go for launch. Good luck and godspeed.
Historical Narrator
Inside the command module, Neil Armstrong felt the first tremors of the Saturn V engines awakening.
Neil Armstrong
Roger, Houston. All systems internal. We are ready for the ride.
Historical Narrator
Then, the world shook. Seven and a half million pounds of thrust erupted into the marshlands.
The Loneliest Man
The Command Module Columbia in lunar orbit, three days later.
Historical Narrator
While his crewmates prepared for the descent, Michael Collins watched the dark side of the moon pass beneath him. He was the most isolated human in existence.
Michael Collins
I am alone now, truly alone, and absolutely isolated from any known life. I am it. If a count were taken, the score would be three billion plus two over on the other side of the moon, and one plus God knows what on this side.
Historical Narrator
Michael checked his position, his voice a steady hum against the void.
Michael Collins
Houston, Columbia. Eagle is away. They look good. It's a weird looking contraption... but it's flying.
Twelve-Oh-Two
Inside the Lunar Module Eagle during the final descent.
Historical Narrator
The descent was a nightmare of flickering lights and screaming alarms. Buzz Aldrin called out the warnings as the computer buckled under the load.
Buzz Aldrin
Program alarm. It’s a twelve-oh-two. Neil, we’ve got a twelve-oh-two alarm!
Historical Narrator
In Houston, the flight controllers held their breath. Charlie Duke leaned into the microphone.
Charlie Duke
We’re go on that alarm, Eagle! We’re go!
Historical Narrator
But Armstrong was looking out the window. They were heading for a field of boulders, and the fuel gauge was dropping to zero.
Tranquility Base
The Sea of Tranquility, lunar surface.
Historical Narrator
With thirty seconds of fuel remaining, Neil Armstrong took manual control, skimming the dust of the moon until the contact light flickered to life.
Neil Armstrong
Houston... Tranquility Base here. The Eagle has landed.
Historical Narrator
The relief in Mission Control was so thick you could taste it. Charlie Duke exhaled a breath he’d been holding for minutes.
Charlie Duke
Roger, Twan... Tranquility. We copy you on the ground. You got a bunch of guys about to turn blue. We're breathing again. Thanks a lot.
One Giant Leap
The ladder of the Lunar Module, July 20, 10:56 PM EDT.
Historical Narrator
Six hundred million people watched as a grainy black and white shadow moved down the ladder. Armstrong paused on the footpad.
Neil Armstrong
I’m at the foot of the ladder. The surface appears to be very, very fine grained... it’s almost like a powder.
Historical Narrator
He took the step. The moment the world stopped turning.
Neil Armstrong
That’s one small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind.
Historical Narrator
Moments later, Buzz Aldrin joined him, looking out at the impossible horizon.
Buzz Aldrin
Magnificent desolation.
The Journey Home
The Pacific Ocean, July 24, 1969.
Historical Narrator
The fire of re-entry gave way to the blue skies of the Pacific. Three parachutes blossomed like flowers above the capsule.
Michael Collins
Everything is looking good. We’re home. It’s good to see the water.
Historical Narrator
The mission was over. The goal was met. Humanity had left its cradle and returned to tell the tale.
The Voices
Historical Narrator
narrator
Neil Armstrong
primary
Talk
Buzz Aldrin
primary
Talk
Michael Collins
secondary
Talk
Charlie Duke
secondary
Talk