1979: How to LAND ON THE MOON | Project Apollo | Retro Tech | BBC Archive

James Burke looks back on the Apollo Moon landings. Now that ten years have passed, the full story of how and why the United States sent men to the Moon 'for all mankind' can be told.

Featuring exclusive interviews with many of the people directly involved, and access to hitherto unheard NASA audio communications from Mission Control in Houston, the dramatic real-life adventure story of the Moon landings is told more frankly than ever before. Among other things, it is revealed that the pinnacle of the Apollo program's achievements - the famous Apollo 11 Moon landing of Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin - was far closer to disaster than was admitted at the time.

James explains some of the most challenging technical aspects of spaceflight, with contributions from Apollo 8 astronaut Jim Lovell, Apollo flight director Gene Krantz, Apollo 11 guidance officer Steve Bales, and Apollo 11 Capcom Charlie Duke.

Clip taken from Project Apollo: The Men Who Walked on the Moon, originally broadcast on BBC One, 20 July, 1979.

You have now entered the BBC Archive, a time machine that will transport you back to the golden age of TV to educate, entertain and enlighten you with classic clips from the BBC vaults.

[fredo]

This documentary is like gold dust, James Burke always had the ability to simplify complex ideas for the audience. The BBC must have had such a great reputation in those days to gain access to the command module, mission control and Gene Krantz.

[analogueman]

James Burke was a very rare television presenter - he actually knew what he was talking about. A very clever guy. Even NASA liked him!

He's still with us today, now in his late eighties, and continues writing books people take notice of.

Without doubt, one of the best presenters of science and technology the UK has ever had.

[johneagle]

They don't make them like that anymore.
James Burke is gold.

[Spookieham]

Even after all these years, James is without a doubt the best Science and Technology Presenter who has ever graced a screen. The viewer isn't treated like a moron but it is aimed at everyone however with enough technical detail for those who know what is being discussed.

[dbaider]

James Burke always talked up to the viewer: Here, listen here, this is what this does, for this reason...and his whole perfectly written script engaged and enthralled, nothing superfluous that could confuse. Just a really smart, educational presenter.

[bulldogbrower]

This dated documentary is still the best explanation about celestial navigation for bringing a spacecraft back to a landing spot on earth. This presentation also accurately depicts the decent procedure for our Apollo landings. Timeless work, much appreciated.

[uuzds]

That whole James Burke PBS Series called "Connections" was among the best Television I've ever watched. For a STEM Fan, J. Burke managed to keep your attention while you learned of some obscure or little known facts within the "6 degrees of separation" realm. You couldn't always see where he was taking you, but you were All In for the answers that all came together at the end of the story.
For my second point, my source is a Rocket Scientist Manager, whom is a very good friend, that worked at TRW (the contractor for the throttleable Rocket Engine that enabled the Landing & Takeoff of the LEM. TRW was later absorbed by Northrop Grumman, the builder of the LEM). What I was told was that at least One of the Computer Overload Alarms, the 1201 and/or 1202 alarm, that occurred during Apollo 11 landing was later found to be generated when Buzz Aldrin switched on the Altimeter Radar without following prescribed training procedures. IOW, he didn't tell Niel Armstrong or Mission control what he'd done until after theye'd returned and done an investigation.

[TheMongex]

James Burke's the GOAT of documentary telling... and making.

[dungbetel]

A brilliant journalist and purveyor of scientific knowledge. He made a big mark on my formative years and did it without gizmos, gadgets or AI. Why he wasn't knighted escapes me. Anyone who likes this video must try to see his Connections series. Absolute gold.

[Folkert.Cornelius]

Is this the man who made the most perfectly timed shot in TV history?

[needleonthevinyl]

The late 70s was a nice time for Apollo documentaries. Everyone's memories were still fresh

[ThomasBarone]

James Burke, David Attenborough and Carl Sagan are on a level very few others have ever been or will ever be. Just the first sound of their voices snaps my attention around 100%.

[RobSchofield]

James Burke - worra bloke. One of the best commentators and reporters ever. His ability to communicate has not faded to this day.

[lwdbe]

My interest in science was born watching James Burke, and some years later, Carl Sagan. Their contribution to make science easier to understand by common people is an enormous legacy for next generations.

[edwardburek]

All hail James Burke! To acquire knowledge as complicated as that needed to operate the Apollo program and break it down to layman's terms without so much as a hint of dumbing down is a totally unique gift. Today's TV presenters would do well to study his style very vigorously - and then just give up.

[RWBHere]

This was the BBC when programming was good, and high quality. No distracting music, no pointless images, no dumbing down, no fear of silence. Just plain facts, teaching and respect for the intelligence of the viewing audience. We need a return to those values, as a matter of urgency.

[Chatta-Ortega]

James Burke's reporting was better than what the US networks were producing. I'm so glad I can watch the BBC content all these years later.

[naimmegassabi]

"So he is looking out the window as if his life depended on it. Which it does." Totally cracked me up!😂 5:37

[paramarky]

We were so lucky to have this guy, Raymond Baxter and William Woollard. - all giants of TV, with voices you could listen to all day.

[markthomas]

So Nice to see " my pal" James Burrke again...He was a childhood hero...Im 67 now and still fondly think about him Along with Tomorrow's World !
Thanks for posting this video. Very enjoyable