Final Apollo Mission Leaves Moon
In December 1972, Apollo 17 communicates with Mission Control on the final trip to the moon, marking the end of the Apollo lunar landing program.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Final Apollo Mission Leaves Moon
Final Apollo Mission Leaves MoonAudio Clip (1:25)
Audio Clip (1:25)
In December 1972, Apollo 17 communicates with Mission Control on the final trip to the moon, marking the end of the Apollo lunar landing program.
-
Ford Phones Apollo Astronauts
Ford Phones Apollo AstronautsAudio Clip (8:14)
Audio Clip (8:14)
On July 17, 1975, President Gerald Ford speaks by telephone to the Apollo astronauts following their rendezvous and docking with the Russian Soyuz spacecraft. This was the first joint orbital mission between the two superpowers, and it helped pave the way for further cooperation in the exploration of space.
-
Apollo 9 Completes Spacewalk
Apollo 9 Completes SpacewalkAudio Clip (0:48)
Audio Clip (0:48)
After Apollo 9's launch on March 3, 1969, the crew communicates with Mission Control from space. The Apollo 9 mission was a crucial test run for the Apollo 11 moon landing three months later.
-
Flight of Faith 7 Spacecraft
Flight of Faith 7 SpacecraftAudio Clip (2:04)
Audio Clip (2:04)
Thirty minutes into the Faith 7 spaceflight, a NASA spokesperson recaps the trajectory of the craft after it was launched into orbit just after 8:00 a.m. on May 16, 1963. On board was Gordon Cooper, who became the first American astronaut to spend over 24 hours in space.
-
Christmas Eve Broadcast to Earth
Christmas Eve Broadcast to EarthAudio Clip (0:36)
Audio Clip (0:36)
On December 24, 1968, astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders entered into lunar orbit aboard the Apollo 8 spacecraft. That evening, in a live radio and television transmission, Borman reads a passage from the Book of Genesis.
-
Reagan on the Challenger Disaster
Reagan on the Challenger DisasterAudio Clip (0:43)
Audio Clip (0:43)
On January 28, 1986, instead of delivering his scheduled State of the Union Address, President Ronald Reagan speaks to the American people about the space shuttle disaster that killed seven astronauts.
-
The First Space Flight by a Woman
The First Space Flight by a WomanAudio Clip (0:35)
Audio Clip (0:35)
Radio Moscow announces the historic flight of the first woman in outer space. On June 16, 1963, aboard Vostok 6, Soviet cosmonaut Valentina Tereshkova completed 48 orbits of Earth in 71 hours.
-
USSR Lands First Lunar Spacecraft
USSR Lands First Lunar SpacecraftAudio Clip (0:20)
Audio Clip (0:20)
With Cold War tensions on the rise, NASA's Werhner Von Braun announces the Soviet Union's moon landing, marking Russia's lead in the space race. On February 3, 1966, the unmanned Russian spacecraft Luna 9 touched down on the Ocean of Storms.
-
Apollo 13 Emergency Radio Transmission
Apollo 13 Emergency Radio TransmissionAudio Clip (0:12)
Audio Clip (0:12)
On April 13, 1970, James Lovell, Jr., John Swigert, Jr., and Fred Haise, Jr., were en route to the Moon aboard Apollo 13 when disaster struck 200,000 miles from earth.
-
Neil Armstrong Walks on the Moon
Neil Armstrong Walks on the MoonAudio Clip (4:23)
Audio Clip (4:23)
On July 20, 1969, at 10:56 p.m. EDT, American astronaut Neil Armstrong, 240,000 miles from Earth, communicates with Mission Control as he takes "one small step" off the Eagle landing module and onto the moon.
Related Videos (10)
-
Space Shuttle: The Last Mission
Space Shuttle: The Last MissionVideo Clip (4:55)
Video Clip (4:55)
In 2011, NASA sent a space shuttle into space for the last time. Get all the facts on the history of the U.S. space shuttle program.
-
Ask Steve: The Space Program
Ask Steve: The Space ProgramVideo Clip (1:34)
Video Clip (1:34)
In this video clip from Ask Steve, the reason for Americans interest in the Space Program was explored. It is explained that competition, and the technological wonder of the space race were some of the reasons for the Americans interest.
-
Space Race: Cold War Front
Space Race: Cold War FrontVideo Clip (4:21)
Video Clip (4:21)
A brief look at the Space Race, set to "Magic Carpet Ride" by Steppenwolf.
-
Buzz Aldrin on First Moon Landing
Buzz Aldrin on First Moon LandingVideo Clip (1:12)
Video Clip (1:12)
What was it like, landing on the moon? Steve Gillon interviews Buzz Aldrin on the moments before landing on the moon.
-
History Rewind: Chimp In Space
History Rewind: Chimp In SpaceVideo Clip (1:53)
Video Clip (1:53)
Rewind Breaking News The History Channel: This is the story of Ham, the first hominid to be launched into space. Ham the chimp is launched from Cape Canaveral, Florida in a Project Mercury Redstone rocket.
-
Atlantis Docking Mission, 1995
Atlantis Docking Mission, 1995Video Clip (1:47)
Video Clip (1:47)
In this History Uncut video clip, watch actual video footage of the Atlantis spacecraft's docking mission in June 1995. Listen and see the crew as they prepare to land and say goodbye to their spacecraft.
-
Crew of Gemini VIII Trains in Zero Gravity
Crew of Gemini VIII Trains in Zero GravityVideo Clip (2:32)
Video Clip (2:32)
In a History Uncut video, watch as the crew aboard the Gemini VIII have fun experiencing zero gravity in March of 1966.
-
John Glenn Orbits the Earth
John Glenn Orbits the EarthVideo Clip (2:37)
Video Clip (2:37)
Footage of John Glenn's historic orbit around the Earth on Friendship 7.
-
The First Space Shuttle Flight
The First Space Shuttle FlightVideo Clip (3:22)
Video Clip (3:22)
On April 12, 1981, NASA launched the first space shuttle into orbit.
-
History Uncut: First U.S. Space Walk
History Uncut: First U.S. Space WalkVideo Clip (2:56)
Video Clip (2:56)
Footage from Ed White's Spacewalk on Gemini IV, June 3, 1965
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Space Race
Space Race(13 Photos)
13 Photos
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
American Flag: Deconstructed
(2:07)
-
Coroner's Report: Cleopatra
(2:34)
-
The Best and Worst Gadgets
(2:19)
Newest Videos on History.com
-
Vietnam in HD Preview
(2:00)
-
Two For the Road
(1:48)
-
HISTORY says Thanks
(2:47)
Shop HISTORY
-
The Universe Season 1 DVD Set
Immerse yourself in this spectacular exploration of Space!
$44.95
Buy Now -
Shop The Universe
Find DVDs, T-Shirts, Telescopes & More!
-
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up
