By Forris Day Jr.
When Russia launched the “Sputnik” satellite into low Earth orbit in 1957 the world took notice, particularly the United States. It put fear into the hearts of all Americans and so began the “Space Race”. Nearly 70 years after that lonely spacecraft broadcast its steady beeps from the dark void of space people have forgotten the heroes and sacrifices that have brought us to our modern day of technology. That fear has been replaced by a feeling of entitlement, in my opinion, that we deserve to have the latest cell phone, uninterrupted internet coverage, and a GPS system in every car so that we don’t have to give any thought or understanding as to where we are driving. Now to step off my soapbox.
Smithsonian Channel’s “Space Voyages” is a four part series that discusses, using interviews and archival footage, how we as Americans developed our space program. From our simple beginnings launching small rockets, to actually putting John Glenn on top of a huge one and launching him into orbit, right up to landing exploratory rovers on the Red Planet Mars. The series goes into detail about our desire to reach the moon and other planets and ultimately inhabit space. You will learn about what astronauts had to endure as they prepared to survive in the vacuum of space. Remember, we knew nothing about space at the time so these men were extremely brave knowing they may not survive. They were willing to sacrifice their lives for America and many men and women did just that.
In the “Open For Business” episode we come into the present and learn how space travel is being moved forward for profit as opposed to political reasons. There are several companies that are going to make it possible for regular folks like you and I to travel into space. I’m talking in our lifetime. That is how fast things are happening in the private sector of space travel. These companies are already filling the void the Shuttle Program left behind by providing resupply missions to the International Space Station (ISS), something that only NASA was able to do just a couple short years ago.
My favorite episode is the bonus episode “Shuttle Discovery’s Last Mission”. It’s last mission was not a launch into low Earth orbit like all it’s other missions, but rather it’s last flight on top of a modified Boeing 747 jet as it was brought from Florida to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Washington DC. A touching tribute to what was the most loved and successful shuttle in the fleet.
“Space Voyages” is a disc loaded with great information, stunning video and wonderful photography that will excite any one who loves all things space. I recommend you add it to your DVD collection. At the very least Google it and catch the episodes on Smithsonian Channel.
Rating: 9/10 — “Out of this world entertainment”
