13 Minutes to the Moon
There is no shortage of podcasts about space exploration. But what the BBC captures in 13 Minutes to the Moon is the sheer ambition that propelled America’s missions to the stars. In season one, Kevin Fong takes us to the moon on Apollo 11 with thorough research, original newsreel, and a cinematic soundscape by the film composer Hans Zimmer.
As you would expect from the BBC’s level of access, Fong interviews real astronauts who help him reconstruct those important thirteen minutes preceding the first landing on the lunar surface. Season two is equally compelling. It covers the near-disastrous Apollo 13 mission in chilling detail.
On first listening, 13 Minutes might surprise you. Why was this not a full-length TV documentary? The quality of the sound, interviews, and research would warrant a spot on primetime television. But in many ways, we’re glad that this show was green-lit for BBC World Service. Not only does it set a high bar for other podcasts, 13 Minutes invites a level of intimacy that a streaming service would struggle to match if tackling the same topic. 13 Minutes is a podcast that curious adults and space-mad teens alike will enjoy.
Click the link to listen: 13 Minutes to the Moon on Apple Podcasts