Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, the First Manned Flight to Another World Author: Bob Zimmerman Segment 4: NASA's Daring Gamble: Responding to Soviet Failures

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Genesis: The Story of Apollo 8, the First Manned Flight to Another World Author: Bob Zimmerman
Segment 4: NASA's Daring Gamble: Responding to Soviet Failures

NASA's decision to send Apollo 8 on a circumlunar mission was a bold, aggressive move spurred by the Soviet Zondprogram. While the lunar module was behind schedule, George Low, manager of the Apollo program, proposed sending Apollo 8 to the moon after observing Soviet progress and knowing a simple Earth orbit repetition was a waste. The Soviets experienced failures with Zond 4 (self-destructed), Zond 5 (ballistic re-entry), and Zond 6 (lost atmosphere), which canceled their manned lunar mission. Low and Sam Phillips made the decision, informing a furious but ultimately supportive James Webb, NASA's head. This "gamble" was driven by the desire to prove American capabilities in the space race.
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