Engineering Disasters - Apollos 1 and 13 (4:33)
In this video from Modern Marvels, we learn about the Apollo spaceflight program and the engineering disasters that plagued it. Three astronauts died while training for the first planned mission, Apollo 1, in 1967. Then, one year after Apollo 11 landed the first humans on the Moon, the Apollo 13 mission almost ended in disaster when an explosion occurred on board.
Download episodes from
iTunes
-
This video can be viewed when you log in with your TV provider.
Select your TV provider to log in to have full access to videos
-
- Select your TV provider
- See More Providers
Related Videos (10)
-
Engineering Disasters - Apollos 1 and 13
Engineering Disasters - Apollos 1 and 13Video Clip (4:33)
Video Clip (4:33)
In this video from Modern Marvels, we learn about the Apollo spaceflight program and the engineering disasters that plagued it. Three astronauts died while training for the first planned mission, Apollo 1, in 1967. Then, one year after Apollo 11 landed the first humans on the Moon, the Apollo 13 mission almost ended in disaster when an explosion occurred on board.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
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.
-
The Space Race
The Space RaceVideo Clip (2:58)
Video Clip (2:58)
The U.S. competition with the U.S.S.R. for technological dominance spurred the U.S. on to the first-ever landing on the Moon.
Related Speeches & Audio (10)
-
Apollo 13 Emergency Radio Transmission
Apollo 13 Emergency Radio TransmissionAudio Clip (0:13)
Audio Clip (0:13)
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.
-
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.
-
George W. Bush on the Space Shuttle Columbia Disaster
George W. Bush on the Space Shuttle Columbia DisasterAudio Clip (3:15)
Audio Clip (3:15)
On February 1, 2003, the space shuttle Columbia was 16 minutes away from touchdown after completing its 28th mission when a damaged heat protection tile caused the shuttle to incinerate, killing all seven crew members. Later that day, President George W. Bush informs the nation about the terrible disaster.
-
Monkeys Travel to Space
Monkeys Travel to SpaceAudio Clip (2:00)
Audio Clip (2:00)
On May 28, 1959, in an experiment that would lead the way to manned space flight, the United States launched two monkeys to an altitude of 300 miles. A Voice of America news report details the travels of the two primates who survived the space flight and were the first in history to return safely to Earth.
-
Final Apollo Mission Leaves Moon
Final Apollo Mission Leaves MoonAudio Clip (1:26)
Audio Clip (1:26)
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.
-
Apollo 9 Completes Spacewalk
Apollo 9 Completes SpacewalkAudio Clip (0:46)
Audio Clip (0:46)
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 (2:02)
Audio Clip (2:02)
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.
-
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.
-
First American Woman in Space
First American Woman in SpaceAudio Clip (0:50)
Audio Clip (0:50)
Sally Ride becomes the first American woman in space when the shuttle Challenger takes off on June 18, 1983. The historical moment is noted in communication just after liftoff.
Related Photo Galleries (1)
-
Space Race
Space Race(13 Photos)
13 Photos
Most Popular Videos on History.com
-
America Divided
(3:54)
-
Caroline Dries: NYU Dorm
(3:26)
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!
$31.99
Buy Now -
Shop The Universe
Find DVDs, T-Shirts, Telescopes & More!
-
The Universe Season 4 DVD
Journey back to the beginning of history on a mind-blowing adventure through space and time.
$27.99
Buy Now
Email Updates
Keep up with the latest History shows, online features, special offers and more.
Sign up









