AMERICAN EXPERIENCE

Chasing the Moon

Experience the thrilling era of the space race, from its earliest days to the 1969 moon landing. A fascinating mix of scientific innovation, political calculation, media spectacle and personal drama, the series brings the Space Age to vivid life.

Part One:
Encore Presentation: Friday, July 24, 2026, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET.

Explore the early days of the space race, the struggle to catch up with the Soviet Union and the enormous stakes in the quest to reach the moon. This episode reveals both the breathtaking failures and successes of the developing U.S. space program.

Part Two:
Encore Presentation: Friday, July 31, 2026, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET.

Discover what it took to beat the Soviet Union to the moon in the space race. In the turbulent and troubled '60s, the U.S. space program faced tragedy with Apollo 1, but made a triumphant comeback with Apollo 8.

Part Three:
Encore Presentation: Friday, August 7, 2026, 9:00-11:00 p.m. ET.

Experience the triumph of the first moon landing, witnessed by the largest TV audience in history. But dreams of space dramatically intersect with dreams of democracy, raising questions of national priorities and national identity.