Radio Special: The Other Moonshot

• John Kinzer
  BioRecent Stories

  

As America seethes with civil unrest in the 1960s, three men in Los Angeles play a key role in getting us to the moon. You may think you know everything about our race to space. But there is still, even after all this time, a version that’s never been heard. This is the story of the Black aerospace engineers in Los Angeles who worked on the Apollo missions — despite barely being allowed in the room.

Episode 1: Ignition Starts

Airs Monday, February 24 at 2pm

America aims for the moon. President John F. Kennedy stands proudly behind the mission to advance the country and welcomes a diverse team to get the job done. That team includes three Black engineers who have an impressive background—Charlie Cheathem, Nathaniel LeVert and Shelby Jacobs. However, the three men quickly realize that social progress is slower than scientific advancement.

 

Episode 2: Spring Loaded to Failure

Airs Tuesday, February 25 at 2pm

Were these three engineers set up to fail? The space race starts to hit debilitating roadblocks, and the Black aerospace engineers are beginning to feel the weight of the workplace—and the clock ticking. Shelby, Nate and Charlie develop different ways to cope with the pressure. A tragedy during an Apollo 1 flight simulation raises the stakes even further, while outside the company, racial tensions come to a head in nearby Watts.

 

Episode 3: Making an Impact

Airs Wednesday, February 26 at 2pm

The launch of Apollo 6. Nate and Charlie must choose how to respond when their work is undermined by superiors, leading to tense stand-offs. Meanwhile Shelby works on a project which will define his legacy — and our view of Earth. Workplace pay disparities come to light, while the assassination of Martin Luther King, Jr. reveals tensions that the engineers can no longer ignore.

 

Episode 4: The Landing

Airs Thursday, February 27 at 2pm

Despite several stopgaps and hiccups, the moon landing is a monumental success, although many Black Americans feel it’s come at a cost to their progress. The discrimination Charlie, Nate and Shelby faced at work finally makes it into government hearings. And the trio today reflect on their contributions to the space race, expressing their sense of pride and wonder, as well as unresolved wounds from their experiences.