Planetary Radio • Jul 05, 2019

Space Policy Edition: Why Apollo Happened (with Roger Launius)

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On This Episode

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Roger Launius

Principal for Launius Historical Services, former NASA Chief Historian

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Casey Dreier

Chief of Space Policy for The Planetary Society

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Mat Kaplan

Senior Communications Adviser and former Host of Planetary Radio for The Planetary Society

Half a century has passed since Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin imprinted humanity's first footsteps upon another world. Apollo 11 was the culmination of a decade's worth of fervent activity in which the United States marshaled resources and manpower at a pace not seen outside of warfare. Space historian Dr. Roger Launius joins the show to explain why Apollo happened the way it did, how a moonshot briefly became a solution to a national security problem, and why it is unlikely to happen again. Casey Dreier also provides a space policy update.

Buzz Aldrin on the Moon
Buzz Aldrin on the Moon Astronaut Buzz Aldrin walks on the surface of the moon near the leg of the lunar module Eagle during the Apollo 11 mission. Neil Armstrong is reflected in his helmet.Image: NASA