Apollo 8: Leaving the Cradle
Specials
TV-G
The December 1968 journey of the Apollo 8 crew into lunar orbit verified the essential elements of the Apollo-Saturn system, and at the same time gave man a view of the Earth that will live through the ages. For many of us, the Apollo 8 mission and broadcasts will always hold a special significance in the history of space exploration.
This unique three-disc set features the television transmissions from Apollo 8, along with rare footage of preparation, launch, all the onboard footage, and recovery. You'll come to know the mission as never before, and take an extraordinary look at the voyage when man left the cradle of the Earth.
This unique three-disc set features the television transmissions from Apollo 8, along with rare footage of preparation, launch, all the onboard footage, and recovery. You'll come to know the mission as never before, and take an extraordinary look at the voyage when man left the cradle of the Earth.
Where to Watch Apollo 8: Leaving the Cradle • Specials
12 Episodes
- Transmission #1
E1Transmission #1TV Transmission #1 took place on Sunday, December 22nd, 1968, at 31:08 ground elapsed time. At this point the spacecraft was approximately halfway between the Earth and the Moon. This transmission shows the interior of the spacecraft with an attempt to show views of the Earth. Trouble with the telephoto lens prevented good pictures of Earth. Audio is air to ground with the flight director's loop. (13:50) - Transmission #3
E3Transmission #3TV Transmission #3, the first of two transmissions on Christmas Eve, gave television audiences their first close up views of the lunar surface. During this transmission, the spacecraft was in a 168.8 x 59.9 nautical mile orbit of the Moon. Audio from air to ground and the flight director's loop. 71:40 GET. (12:40) - Transmission #4
E4Transmission #4TV Transmission #4, the second Christmas Eve broadcast, and the most famous, again showed views of the lunar surface. During this transmission, Apollo 8 was orbiting the moon at 60.7 x 59.7 nautical miles. The broadcast ends with a reading from the book of Genesis and a historic sign-off from the first travelers to another world. Audio is air to ground and flight director's loop. 85:41 GET. (25:20) - Transmission #5
E5Transmission #5TV Transmission #5, on Christmas Day. This transmission occurred after the successful trans-Earth injection burn which put the spacecraft on course for home. The broadcast shows the interior of the spacecraft. Audio is air to ground and flight director's loop. 104:24 GET. (10:00)
