This short film was made by NASA to show progress in the Manned Space Flight arena as of January, 1964. It opens with the NASA seal (:11) and then turns to the countdown of the final manned space flight of NASA’s Mercury program (:31). This program began in 1958 featuring a series of 6 manned space flights (:39). This program created global network tracking communications and mission controls (1:12). It was operated out of three field centers; Manned Space Craft Center in Houston, Texas (1:33), the Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama (1:41), and the JFK Space Center in Coco Beach, Florida (1:43). All of the activities were directed out of Washington, DC (1:49). Other NASA centers, universities (1:56) and military services such as those at White Sands Missile Range, partook in the endeavors (1:58). Spacecraft is seen being tested at McDonnell Aircraft Corporation in St. Louis (2:24). Two crafts were in final assembly; the first was to be delivered to Kennedy Space Center (2:41). The first Gemini launch vehicle had been manufactured by Martin Co. and the Air Force (2:59). The first unmanned flight would provide research to be used in the Apollo program (3:22) and in the manned space program of the Department of Defense (3:26), the manned orbiting lab (MOL). In 1962-63, fields were converted into the Manned Space Center in Houston (3:49). The integrated mission control center (4:08) would direct both Gemini and Apollo spacecraft (4:08). Tests were in progress for Apollo (4:28) and Command Modules were constructed (4:33). In December 1963, at the White Sands Missile Range, a boiler plate Command Module was used to test the launch escape system (4:40). On Nov. 7th, the off the pad abort test system was demonstrated (4:51). In September 1963, the first full scale mock up of the lunar excursion module was tested (5:24). The three Saturn rocket vehicles (1, 1B and 5) which were to launch the Apollo space craft, were built at the Marshall Space Flight Center (5:38). Saturn 1 is seen at (5:46) and was tested 4 times. The first flight was on Oct. 27th, 1961 (6:00), the second six months later (6:13), and the third was launched in Nov. of 1962 (6:24). On the fourth launch in March of 1963 (6:34) one of its engines was shut off in order to determine whether or not the craft could still operate effectively (6:41), which it did (6:48). Second phases began for Saturn 1 (6:54) combining the first and second stage tests together. Success of this phase would mean 19 tons of hardware, the heaviest load so far, could be placed into orbit (7:08). January 29th, 1964 the 5th Saturn lifted off and hit orbit successfully (7:54). Marshall Space Flight Center completed two Saturn 1 stages (8:08) with a third scheduled and at Chrysler Corporation (8:26) construction for the first stage for Saturn 1B was starting. At the Douglas Plant in Santa Monica, California the final second stages for Saturn 1 were well on their way (8:44). The J2, which would be used in Saturn 1B’s 2nd stage (8:57), was developed and manufactured by the Rocketdyne division in Canoga Park, California (9:23). The Saturn V was to be the largest of the Saturn vehicles and it would place Apollo at lunar trajectory (9:58). It’s five engines were developed and built by Boeing Co. (10:03). The F1 engine to power Saturn V’s first stage (10:35) produced 1.5 million lbs. of thrust (10:43). The build up of space craft continued at Seal Beach, California (11:07). Test production facilities had to be constructed as the Saturn V was larger than any other launch vehicle up to this point (11:37). F1 engine captive firing stands progressed (11:58) and Saturn V vehicles were prepared for space missions (12:24). The Apollo Lunar vehicle was assembled for flight at the JFK Space Center (12:32) and the center’s construction began in 1962. The construction for its causeway (12:53), rail systems, and channel (12:55) are shown. Construction for the Apollo launch complex 39 was in its early stages and it was to be the largest in the world (13:14). Astronauts train to survive in harsh climates (13:32) and become familiar with the sensations of accelerations and weightlessness (13:36). 14 additional men were set to join the astronaut corps bringing the total number to 30 (13:55). In January of 1964 the manned space flight team was organized (14:36). As the space race continued, spacecraft were manufactured and tested (14:45) rocket vehicles launched (14:47), and flight crews underwent training (14:51). NASA seal (15:05).

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