This 3-DVD collection is the most comprehensive set ever detailing the first lunar landing. And now this collection features the newly enhanced EVA footage (2009).
DISC 1
MAKING READY
This disc features the stacking of the launch vehicle and spacecraft, stage by stage, in the VAB, checkout of the spacecraft with the crew in the altitude chamber, rollout to the pad, and operations at the pad.
Departure - Contains footage from launch day of the crew suiting up, transferring to the pad, and boarding the spacecraft. The TV launch is an edited Kennedy Space Center television feed of the Apollo 11 launch from T minus 56 minutes.
15 separate Launch views are available on-the-fly using the angle button on your DVD player. Static Views features the launch from stationary cameras and the vehicle moves out of frame. Tracking View cameras follow the vehicle. Pad Camera views are close-up and slow-motion. Surround sound tracks accompany the launches. Also contains footage of damage to the pad.
Fly Me To The Moon - After trans-lunar injection, the CSM turned and docked with the lunar module, then moved away from the Saturn V third stage for the trip to the moon. The docking maneuver was recorded with the 16mm data acquisition camera.
Tranquillity Base - Spacecraft separation prior to landing occurred when the spacecraft were on the far side of the moon. The operation was filmed with the 16mm data acquisition camera. After separation Michael Collins examined the lunar module to make sure the legs were properly deployed.
Lunar Landing was filmed through the lunar module pilot's window using the 16mm DAC camera. This segment depicts the descent with multiple audio tracks, including air to ground, onboard recorder, flight director, and LM controller loops. Lunar Landing commentary includes astronaut commentary from the post-flight debriefing.
The Saturn V launch vehicle remains the largest and most powerful successful launch vehicle in history. Thirteen times the Saturn V launched, and thirteen times it was successful. Apollo 11's Saturn V was its sixth flight.
DISC 2
LUNAR SURFACE EVA
Television from the lunar surface was via a black and white camera. Initially, this camera was attached to the modular equipment stowage assembly (MESA) which was lowered to a position off to the side of the ladder. After Armstrong and Aldrin were on the surface, the camera was placed on a tripod and moved to a location in order to present an overall view of activities. Westinghouse manufactured the lunar surface television camera. The scan rate was 10 frames per second at 320 lines of resolution.
The crew also carried a 16mm data acquisition camera (DAC) which captured an overall view of the first half of the moonwalk from a position in the lunar module pilot's window. This Mauer 16mm camera was fitted with an 18mm wide angle lens, and ran at speeds of 1, 6, 12 and 24 frames per second. Still photography on the surface used a Hasselblad 70mm camera.
Disc 2 contains the television, film and still photography from the lunar surface, arranged by on-the-fly angles you can access through your DVD player's angle button. During part one, the first angle is a composite of 16mm, TV, and Hasselblad images, the second angle is the TV transmission full screen, and the third angle is the 16mm film full screen. In part two, only the first two angles are present, as the film magazine in the 16mm camera had ended.
Two audio tracks are also available on-the-fly by using the audio button on your DVD player. By choosing track one you'll hear the air to ground transmission and public affairs officer. Track two is astronaut commentary from the post-flight debriefing.
The first lunar surface EVA was designed to test the ability of man to work in the lunar environment, collect samples for investigation on Earth, and to deploy a small number of experiments. Neil Armstrong was outside the lunar module for two hours and thirty-one minutes. Buzz Aldrin spent one hour and fifty minutes outside the spacecraft. Man's first moonwalk was considered a complete success.
DISC 3
COMING HOME
Probe and Drogue - On the way to the moon the crew turned on the television camera to broadcast a look at the probe and drogue docking equipment. These devices must be removed to clear the tunnel between the command module and the lunar module. After removal, the transmission features a tour of Eagle. PRODUCER NOTE: This transmission was before the lunar landing, and is on disc 3 due to space considerations.
Landing Site - After entering lunar orbit, the crew gave Earth a look. Apollo 11's crew were just the third crew to have ever entered lunar orbit. PRODUCER NOTE: This TV transmission actually occurred before arriving at the moon, and is on disc 3 due to space.
Crew Demonstrations - On the way back from the moon, the crew conducted a scheduled broadcast demonstrating life aboard Columbia
Crew Statements - During this broadcast, the last during Apollo 11's journey, the crew made individual statements about their thoughts on the mission.
Onboard Film - In this 16mm data acquisition camera film, views were taken of the ascent from the surface, the approach of Eagle after lunar liftoff, views of the lunar surface from orbit, and life aboard Columbia.
Mission Accomplished - Columbia returned to the Earth on July 24, 1969. Includes footage from entry through the recovery of Columbia and the packing of lunar samples for shipment to the Lunar Receiving Laboratory.
EVA Training - From a training session during which Armstrong and Aldrin practiced their activities on the lunar surface.
Landing Training - Since the lunar module could not be flown in Earth's atmosphere, numerous devices and vehicles were created to train for the lunar landing. This footage demonstrates two methods - at the lunar landing research facility in Langley, VA, and a flight of the Lunar Landing Training Vehicle.