The Space Above Us

This week, we take a look at the boosters and engines that lofted Apollo into orbit.

There's more to getting to the moon than big rockets and zippy spacecraft. This week, we talk about some of the facilities and infrastructure used by NASA in its quest to land humans on the moon.

Where did the Apollo Program come from? How were its broad strokes decided? And why are we going to the Moon in the first place?

We close the curtain on Project Gemini, revisiting the program and its goals. We also take a quick look back at Project Mercury and a look forward to the Apollo Program to put Gemini in the larger context.

Jim Lovell and Buzz Aldrin close out Project Gemini and tackle the fundamentals of EVA.

Pete Conrad flies Gemini XI to new heights as Dick Gordon works on his space cowboy techniques.

John Young and Mike Collins make it a double on Gemini X!

A special Christmas moment from the crew of Apollo 8.

The Mayor of Pad 19 has an appointment with an angry alligator.

Neil Armstrong and David Scott perform the first ever docking in space and then take the Gemini capsule for a spin.

Frank Borman and Jim Lovell are in space. They've been there for a while and they've got a ways to go. Let's follow them on their incredible 14 day journey into unexplored territory of human spaceflight endurance.

Wally Schirra and Tom Stafford have to try a few times to get off the ground while the crew of Gemini VII is already waiting for them in orbit. Find out why VI-A comes after VII!

Gordon Cooper and Pete Conrad may come to regret their slogan of "8 Days or Bust" for the groundbreaking flight of Gemini V.

Project Gemini continues with the flight of Jim McDivitt and Ed White aboard Gemini IV. Learn about spacewalks, orbital rendezvous, and how to open a stuck door in space!

Gus Grissom and John Young kick off Project Gemini and catch a bite to eat along the way.

Project Gemini was America's second major manned spaceflight program and will take this podcast clear into 2017. Come learn the basics about Project Gemini before we launch into detailed looks at each mission.

We follow the X-15 on one more parabolic arc through space and learn more about the pilots who flew it and some of the amazing results of the program.

High above the United States desert, the X-15 becomes America's second manned spacecraft and Joe Walker becomes the 7th American to fly in space.

We revisit Project Mercury while trying to put it into a larger context and examine President Kennedy's decision to send us to the Moon.

Gordon Cooper becomes the first astronaut to spend a full day in space and brings a successful conclusion to Project Mercury.

Wally Schirra and Sigma 7 show us how it's done and pave the way for the one day mission.

Science moves to the forefront and Scott Carpenter moves several hundred miles past the landing zone on Aurora 7.

John Glenn becomes the first American to orbit the Earth and has a close call with a potential heat shield problem.

The complete air to ground transmissions of Mercury-Redstone 4: the flight of Liberty Bell 7.

Gus Grissom flies the second and final suborbital flight of Project Mercury.