On the day of the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Smithsonian Channel looks at a conspiracy theory. The Apollo Moon missions are one of America’s greatest accomplishments. From the famous first footsteps of Apollo 11 to the rover-driving astronauts of Apollo 17, America’s success on the moon ended the space race with the Soviet Union. But a subculture of obsessives think the Apollo missions are America’s greatest cover-up.
Smithsonian Spotlight: Denying The Moon Landing (Saturday 20th, 8pm) traces the Apollo missions, how initial scepticism evolved into full-blown conspiracy theories, and why in the face of overwhelming evidence some still refuse to believe the irrefutable truth. Apollo astronauts, among others, reflect on the programme’s successes, as well as the shock of having their accomplishments questioned 50 years later.
