Smithsonian Spotlight

In 1969, Apollo 11 astronauts and a Russian robot rover raced each other to reach the moon first. More than 40 years later, the debate of man vs. machine rages on: Which is better equipped to handle the rigors and risks of space exploration? Technological advances will allow astronauts to travel farther than ever, and Mars is in our sights. But should Man make that trip? Are we pushing the boundaries, or pushing our luck?

The 1960s were a turbulent decade full of civil unrest and political backlash. The Apollo Moon landing galvanized most of our polarized nation, but to some, the Vietnam War and Watergate scandal created suspicion of the government's motives. These mounting suspicions led some to doubt that America's moon landings were even real. Apollo astronauts and scientific experts reflect on NASA's glorious achievement, and the shock of having their accomplishments questioned 40 years later.