49 minSeason 1 • Episode 6
LatestOne of the most complex instruments ever built, the Hubble Space Telescope is expected to transform our understanding of the Universe. But once it is in orbit NASA discovers a serious problem, a defective main mirror. NASA sends a team of astronauts to fix the problem in its greatest and highest profile mission since the Apollo era. It gives NASA the confidence to begin construction on the International Space Station.
A miniseries documenting American human spaceflight, spanning from the first Mercury flights through the Gemini program to the Apollo moon landings, the Space Shuttle, and the construction of the International Space Station. It was created in association with NASA to commemorate the agency's fiftieth anniversary in 2008.
Cinematography
Restored 35mm mission footage looks illegally good.
Score
Gary Sinise's narration: gravelly, reverent, perfect.
Production
NASA opened the vault; this is basically state-sponsored flexing.
Trivia, insights & behind the scenes
NASA digitized over 10,000 hours of archival footage for this; much had never been broadcast.
Released during 2008's economic collapse, its optimistic nationalism hit different—some called it escapism, others propaganda.
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