How did NASA get those great film shots of Apollo and the Shuttle?

Ever wondered how NASA got those amazing film shots of Apollo and the shuttle launching and the boosters falling away from rockets as they fly into space, then here we find out what cameras and techniques they used.

Sponsored by Florian Hessem, Symon Hamer
Larry Ackerman, Ara Kirakosyan, Felix Friese, Bernt-Olov, Hellstram, Tayar Jundi, Johan Rombaut, Tobias Pettersson,
Kevin Hinnen, Mitchel J. Mullin II, Lucius Kwok, Hunter Schwisow,
Pyloric, Seb Stoodley, Peter Cote, Cody Belichesky, Mogoreanu Daniel, Douglas Gustafson, Marcus Chiado, Jorn Magnus Karlsen.

Presented by
Paul Shillito

Written and researched by
Andy Munzer

Additional Material By
Paul Shillito

Images and Footage
NASA, SpaceX,

Music
Featuring on Guitar

[nabeelk]

No dramatization, no useless suspense, no clickbaits. Amazing job. Your video shows all the research and hardwork you put in there for numb nuts like me. Now i believe in the sanity of the world, that it got over a million views.

[xSliPkNoTTaStIkx]

I remember when The History Channel would have programs like this. I miss those days.

[truesdel]

My father's company, D.B. Milliken, built a lot of those 400 fps cameras used throughout the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, and beyond programs. In the early '70s the company was sold to Teledyne. Many of the Milliken cameras had specially shape housings to cram in the tight spaces of the command capsules. You can see the elongated oval logo sticker in several of the shots in this video. It was always a fun evening when my dad would bring home footage of testing procedures! I certainly remember the films of Col. John Stapp as he was strapped into the rocket sled to study high-G effects on humans.

[robertstrawser]

Love the videos. My uncle was chief photographic engineer at Kennedy and worked there from the late 50’s through the 90’s and was responsible for positioning and setup of the launchpad cameras for all the launches. He even got to meet von Braun on several occasions to discuss camera positions. He told some great stories about cameras being rattled to pieces inside their protective cases. Few people understood how difficult it was for them to get many of those shots, especially the big Saturns later on in the program.

[oerodrigues]

This is one of the most interesting and informative videos that I’ve watched on YouTube. The level of detail presented and the fluent, articulate delivery is superior to some of the Nat Geo or Discovery shows.

[Dogsnark]

I had no idea that launches were so closely and extensively filmed. This was an extremely interesting and informative video. Thank you for bringing it to YouTube.

[veritasman]

I RESPECT YOUR DEDICATION AND YOUR COMMITMENT...

[JamesSullivans]

my favorite by faaaarrr is the falcon heavy boosters landing in unison. i know it didnt take super specialized gear to film but what an amazing launch to be alive for.

[DimensionO]

I took a job last year operating a Contraves mount on the launch complex at Vandenberg Air Force Base. We still perform launch tracking with similar procedures and increasingly more sophisticated camera systems. It’s wonderful to see the capabilities of our fellow mobile optics technicians receiving some accolades. Thank you.

[jmchez]

You distill so many videos into an understandable compilation. Fantastic research. Thank you

[thgughy]

Not saying this because I'm a sucker for aerospace.. but this is probably one of my favourite videos of this channel!! Stunning footage, thank you for creating this and thanks to all of the people involved in the content over the decades!
Amazing technology and ingenuity!

[Ginny]

I'm sorry to hear they removed your video. Thanks for sharing it with us again 😊

[TheCarPassionChannel]

I love any angles looking down at Earth from the rocket. I think there's one here on YT called "Riding the Booster". Like taking off in a plane except you just keep going until the sky is black, so surreal looking!

[moos]

I subbed to this channel a long while ago and am still being rewarded by recommendations of (years old, but) awesome documentarys that outmatch many of their TV production counterparts. <3

[iainrossiter]

Another absolutely wonderful piece. Thank you.

[garrettmasters]

Still watching again, this is so well done! 👍

[GentlemanAmerican]

6:01 6:29 The footage of the rocket stages separating with the earth in the background are among the most amazing images I have ever seen.

[googledollars]

*Its fun to watch a Perfectly Edited educational Video professionally delivered*

[GuysTalkingPodcastNetwork]

It is ALL intoxicating footage to me, but the rise of any of the rockets/vehicles off the landing pads, and the subsequent cameras that catch "the blast off" really are the most-magnificent pieces of footage that move me to tears still to this day. Having seen both Shuttle and ATLAS Rocket launches (John Glenn's Return to Space, and a night ATLAS launch) I feel terribly fortunate to not only having been able to see a pre-9/11 launch, but to watch as technology fosters more adaptation, inspiration and results. It is a grand time to be alive. Thank you for sharing so much knowledge. It is appreciated and know that it will be shared far and wide.

[MattH-wgou]

Woooow that footage at 3:49 is so amazing! To think that that was the first time humans ever saw images of the earth from space.