This July marks the 50th Anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing. In honor of this historic event, the Oklahoma Educational Television Authority (OETA) is offering a month-long celestial programming spectacular.
The journey to the heavens begins with the highly anticipated Chasing the Moon: American Experience. This three-part series airs at 8 p.m., July 8 – 10. Experience the thrilling era of the space race, from its earliest days to the 1969 moon landing.
July also brings two new NOVA specials into orbit. First, Back to the Moon, 7 p.m., July 10, joins the next generation of engineers who aim to use the Moon as a stepping-stone for future human missions to Mars and beyond. Next, the five-part series, The Planets, begins at 8 p.m., July 24, and runs each Wednesday, ending August 14. The Planets takes viewers on a trip through our solar system, ending on the frigid dark side of Pluto.
Space Chase USA, 10 p.m., July 16, tells the story of Cocoa Beach, Florida as it transforms from sleepy, small town to the bustling center of the American space program.
On July 17, two great specials fall to Earth. First, 8 Days: To the Moon and Back, 8 p.m., follows the Apollo 11 on its historic mission. 8 Days seamlessly blends mission audio featuring conversations among Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins with new footage to recreate the first moon landing. And, next, When We Were Apollo, 9:30 p.m. is an intimate and personal look at the Apollo Space Program through the lives and experiences of some of its most inspiring behind-the-scenes figures.
And finally, beginning at 7 p.m., July 24 is the three-part series Ancient Skies. Ancient Skies explores how centuries of knowledge, experimentation and engineering helped our ancestors explore space.
OETA provides essential educational content and services that inform, inspire and connect Oklahomans to ideas and information that enrich our quality of life. We do this by consistently engaging Oklahomans with educational and public television programming, providing educational training and curriculum, outreach initiatives and online features that collectively encourage lifelong learning. For more information about education curriculum and programs, local productions, digital television, community resources and show schedules explore OETA.tv or visit us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.