THE HISTORY CHANNEL PRESENTS Save Our History : Apollo: The Race Against Time An original documentary In one of the most competitive races in United States history, the challenge to put man in space captivated the world during the second half of the 20 th century. With rockets that were taller than the Statue of Liberty, the United States and the Soviet Union were able to accomplish their goals early on by using innovative engineering. Now achieved by different countries around the world, space travel has become almost second nature. But what remains of the spacecrafts designed to propel American astronauts to the moon more than three decades ago? Where are they today? How are they being preserved to ensure their existence for future generations? Save Our History: Apollo: The Race Against Time, with host Steve Thomas, focuses on the efforts by NASA, the Smithsonian Institution's National Air and Space Museum and the Kansas Cosmosphere and Space Center to bring to life American space exploration through the preservation and restoration of historic spacecraft and equipment from Apollo missions of the 1960s and 1970s. Interviews with former astronauts like Buzz Aldrin who walked on the moon during Apollo 11 and Gene Kranz, flight director for many Apollo missions, provide the viewer with first hand accounts from space program experts. From mission control in the Johnson Space Center in Houston to the Garber Center where space suits from Apollo, Gemini and Mercury missions are stored to the restoration of the mighty Saturn V rocket, Save Our History: Apollo: The Race Against Time recounts the history of the space program, shows the preservation process of its famous relics, and reveals some of the secrets that NASA has for the future. Curriculum Links Save Our History: Apollo: The Race Against Time would be an excellent addition to any middle school or high school class on American History, European History, 20 th Century History, Technology and Science. It fulfills the following standards as outlined by the National Council for History Education: (1) Civilization, cultural diffusion and innovation, (2) Human interaction with the environment, (3) Values, beliefs, political ideas and institutions, and (4) Patterns of social and political interaction. Footnotes to History WERE YOU AWARE that the Saturn V, the most advanced spacecraft used in Apollo missions, was 364 feet tall and weighed 6.1 million pounds at the time of launch? For its initial launch alone, Saturn V used 7.5 million pounds of thrust and then millions more after the first stage detached in the atmosphere and additional rockets were fired. 1
Vocabulary Using the dictionary at www.merriamwebster.com, an internet resource such as www.history.com, or an encyclopedia, students should define or explain the significance of the following terms: articulating mechanical arm ascent connotation evoke galvanic lunar microcosm mock run naïve omnipotent Soviet Union s Space Program Space Shuttle Discovery stringent tumultuous zeal Comprehension Questions 1. Why do you think President Kennedy was so adamant about strengthening the Space Program? What was the turmoil in United States foreign policy at the time? Who was involved? 2. What was Operation Paperclip? Who was Werner von Braun? What do you think about von Braun s past? Do you think it was okay to extradite him to the United States and turn him into an ally? 3. What is the largest rocket ever built in world history? What was it designed for? When was it designed? Did it ever fly? 4. What was so surprising about the Apollo mission spacecraft s computers? What were they like when compared with technology today? Would you chance a reentry through the atmosphere in the command module with one of those computers today? 5. What were the major problems in keeping the Saturn V outside on display for three decades? What must be done to this impressive rocket in order to gain access and explore the inner workings of her fuselage? Will this piece of history be preserved or restored? What is the difference? 6. What does orbiting the earth mean? What is orbital velocity? What is geo-sync orbit? Why do you think there are a certain number of spaces for satellites and space ships at geo-sync orbit? [You may use outside resources on this question] 7. What did the launch escape system do? How did it function? In what situation would an astronaut have to use it? Was it ever used? 8. What are the different types of space suits that have been put to use over the years? What is the most protective type? What is the most practical type? What is the purpose of the rubber lined zipper in space suits? 9. What was the role of the lunar rover in the space program? How did it aid the astronauts while on the moon? 2
10. Why are people advocating the preservation of the Apollo mission spacecraft, artifacts and records? Why are they so important to the fundamental understanding of the Space Race? Extended Activities 1. Exploring the Unknown Individually Humans are inherently curious, whether it be about nature, technology, space or anything else. You are going to explore an unknown area to you (in your backyard, local forest, school property etc.), complex piece of technology, or mysterious interest and learn everything about it. Dig, capture photographs, disassemble or take any means necessary (within reason) to find out about your unknown object. Write a two page paper on your findings and present your ideas to the class in a short presentation. 2. Art, Research and Understanding After briefly sketching a picture of the Saturn V spacecraft, search for a diagram of the Saturn V using an internet search engine such as www.google.com or an encyclopedia and label the five stages that make up the spacecraft. Be sure to list the stage functions, mechanisms, and period when they are used. Feel free to be creative and colorful in your drawings and diagrams. 3. Compare and Contrast It is now 30 years later and the United States and Russia are allies, but that does not mean the history should be considered inconsequential. Using an encyclopedia or internet search engine such as www.google.com, research information about the Soviet Union's quest to put humans in space. How did the programs differ from each other? How were they similar? Who supported the programs? Did the people? Who actually won the battle for space? Understanding Primary Sources Throughout the Cold War, both the United States and the Russians continually tried to garner support from their citizens and evoke patriotism. Speeches were one form of this important propaganda. These speeches are living history that remains significant to this day. Students: Read the excerpts from the following two speeches below delivered by President John F. Kennedy, analyze their intent and underlying messages, and then answer the following questions. Finally, if we are to win the battle that is now going on around the world between freedom and tyranny, the dramatic achievements in space which occurred in recent weeks should have made clear to us all, as did Sputnik in 1957, the impact of this adventure on the minds of men 3
everywhere, who are attempting to make a determination of which road they should take. We nevertheless are required to make new efforts on our own. For while we cannot guarantee that we shall one day be first, we can guarantee that any failure to make this effort will make us last. But this is not merely a race. Space is open to us now; and our eagerness to share its meaning is not governed by the efforts of others. We go into space because whatever mankind must undertake, free men must fully share. -Addressing Congress Washington D.C. May 25, 1961 I think the United States should be a leader. A country as rich and powerful as this which bears so many burdens and responsibilities, which has so many opportunities, should be second to none. And in December, while I do not regard our mastery of space as anywhere near complete, while I recognize that there are still areas where we are behind--at least in one area, the size of the booster--this year I hope the United States will be ahead. And I am for it This space effort must go on. The conquest of space must and will go ahead. That much we know. That much we can say with confidence and conviction. This Nation has tossed its cap over the wall of space, and we have no choice but to follow it. Whatever the difficulties, they will be overcome. Whatever the hazards, they must be guarded against with the help and support of all Americans, we will climb this wall with safety and with speed-and we shall then explore the wonders on the other side. -Aerospace Medical Health Center San Antonio, Texas November 21, 1963 1. What is propaganda? How are these speeches forms propaganda? 2. What would be the point of writing these speeches during the tumultuous times of the Cold War? 3. What is the connotation in these speeches? What terminology leads you to your conclusions? 4. Although these excerpts were spoken 2 years apart, do you notice any glaring similarities? What about differences? 5. Find three key words or terms that could refer to the former Soviet Union. Compare your findings with classmates and discuss your interpretations. 6. Do you believe that President Kennedy was speaking to the Russians along with the American people? What evidence do you have for your opinion? 7. Do you think these speeches were influential at all? How do they make you feel as an American? 8. Is there a situation today that is comparable to the foreign policy issues of the 1960s? Do you see these types of speeches today? 4
Resources Websites Official website of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration: www.nasa.gov NASA s website for kids website with interactive activities, information, and games: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forkids/home/index.html NASA s website for high school students: http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/9-12/features/index.html National Air and Space Museum s official website on The Apollo Program: http://www.nasm.si.edu/collections/imagery/apollo/apollo.htm Books Beattie, Donald A. Taking Science to the Moon: Lunar Experiments and the Apollo Program. The Johns Hopkins University Press, 2001. Vogt, Gregory L. Apollo Moonwalks: The Amazing Lunar Missions. Enslow Publishers, 2000. World Spaceflight News Staff. Saturn V America s Apollo Moon Rocket. Progressive Management, 2000. 5
This photograph is a close up view of the first stage of the Saturn I rocket, showing a detailed view of the engine cluster. The Saturn I rocket was the first American rocket to have multiple engines on a single stage. (Stages are explained in the program) 6