What will I learn about: how the early space race was ignited by the Cold War and the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1, forcing the US to overcome humiliating early failures to catch up?

Understand how the early space race was ignited by the Cold War and the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1, forcing the US to overcome humiliating early failures to catch up.

What will I learn about: Learn how the immense complexity of Project Mercury led to the invention of the modern mission control center and the critical role of flight director?

Learn how the immense complexity of Project Mercury led to the invention of the modern mission control center and the critical role of flight director.

What will I learn about: how aerospace engineers solved the deadly problem of atmospheric reentry by designing a blunt-nosed capsule that safely deflected 3,500-degree heat?

Discover how aerospace engineers solved the deadly problem of atmospheric reentry by designing a blunt-nosed capsule that safely deflected 3,500-degree heat.

What will I learn about: Explore how NASA built its legendary culture of safety by requiring structural backups for every single system and conducting exhaustive pre-flight ground tests?

Explore how NASA built its legendary culture of safety by requiring structural backups for every single system and conducting exhaustive pre-flight ground tests.

What will I learn about: why the very first astronauts were recruited exclusively from the ranks of US test pilots who were already proven to keep their cool under extreme stress?

Find out why the very first astronauts were recruited exclusively from the ranks of US test pilots who were already proven to keep their cool under extreme stress.

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Shoot for the Moon

The Space Race and the Extraordinary Voyage of Apollo 11

James Donovan

★ 4.6 / 5(34 ratings)

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Science History

If You're Curious About These Questions...

You should listen to this audiobook

💡What's the secret to overcoming seemingly insurmountable obstacles, like landing a man on the moon?
💡Are you curious about the untold stories of the brave men and women who risked everything to make space travel a reality?
💡What if you could uncover the hidden factors that drove the United States to win the space race against all odds?

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Key Takeaways from Shoot for the Moon

✓Understand how the early space race was ignited by the Cold War and the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1, forcing the US to overcome humiliating early failures to catch up.
✓Learn how the immense complexity of Project Mercury led to the invention of the modern mission control center and the critical role of flight director.
✓Discover how aerospace engineers solved the deadly problem of atmospheric reentry by designing a blunt-nosed capsule that safely deflected 3,500-degree heat.
✓Explore how NASA built its legendary culture of safety by requiring structural backups for every single system and conducting exhaustive pre-flight ground tests.
✓Find out why the very first astronauts were recruited exclusively from the ranks of US test pilots who were already proven to keep their cool under extreme stress.

Learning Tools

Reinforce what you learned from Shoot for the Moon

Mind Map

Shoot for the Moon

Origins & The Space Race+

Project Mercury+

Project Gemini+

Project Apollo+

Apollo 11+

Quiz — Test Your Understanding

Question 1 of 9

Why did the Soviet launch of Sputnik 1 cause such a panic in the United States?

A. It was heavily armed and posed an immediate military strike threat to US cities.
B. It was a cultural and national security threat that challenged America's assumed technological superiority.
C. It caused a massive disruption to American television and radio communication networks.
D. It proved that the Soviets had already successfully sent a human into orbit.

Question 2 of 9

How did engineers solve the problem of the Mercury capsule surviving the extreme heat of atmospheric reentry?

A. They designed a pointed, aerodynamic shape to quickly slice through the atmosphere.
B. They developed a liquid cooling system that pumped freezing water through the outer hull.
C. They opted for a blunt-nosed shape that created a shock wave to deflect a significant amount of heat.
D. They used retrorockets to slow the capsule down to a near halt before it touched the atmosphere.

Question 3 of 9

Why did President Eisenhower rule that only US test pilots could apply to become the first astronauts?

A. They possessed the highest levels of political and military clearance required for the Cold War.
B. They were already trained to operate the complex onboard computers used in spaceflight.
C. They were the only military personnel physically small enough to fit inside the tiny capsule.
D. They were accustomed to high-stress cockpits, testing flawed aircraft, and were desensitized to death.

Question 4 of 9

What was the primary purpose of NASA's Project Gemini?

A. To serve as a crucial bridging project to develop the advanced technology and skills needed for a moon landing.
B. To launch the first American satellites into orbit to directly rival the Soviet Sputnik program.
C. To build and test the massive Saturn V rocket that would eventually transport astronauts to the moon.
D. To establish a permanent, manned space station in low Earth orbit for long-term research.

Question 5 of 9

What specific procedure did NASA develop during Project Gemini to safely transport astronauts to and from the moon's surface?

A. Direct ascent and return, landing the entire mothership on the lunar surface.
B. Lunar-orbit rendezvous, using a smaller 'bug' that detached from and re-docked with a mothership orbiting the moon.
C. Building a temporary refueling station on the moon's surface prior to the manned mission.
D. Using a specialized parachute system to drop the astronauts safely onto the lunar dust.

Question 6 of 9

What was the cause of the tragic deaths of the Apollo 1 crew during a routine preflight rehearsal?

A. A massive rocket explosion on the launchpad caused by a first-stage fuel leak.
B. The failure of the capsule's parachute system during a high-altitude drop test.
C. A sudden depressurization of the cabin that quickly suffocated the astronauts.
D. A fire sparked by a short circuit that spread rapidly in the capsule's pure-oxygen atmosphere.

Question 7 of 9

Why was Neil Armstrong chosen over Buzz Aldrin to be the first person to step onto the moon?

A. Armstrong was the commanding officer and outranked Aldrin in the military hierarchy.
B. NASA wanted a civilian who hadn't lobbied for the honor, serving as a gesture of neutrality and humility.
C. Aldrin had failed a crucial psychological evaluation shortly before the launch.
D. Armstrong had significantly more experience piloting the lunar module simulator.

Question 8 of 9

Why did the Apollo 11 crew put their spacecraft into a 'barbecue roll' during their journey to the moon?

A. To simulate a low-gravity environment so the astronauts could sleep and eat normally.
B. To evenly distribute the extreme temperatures from the sun across the surface of the spacecraft.
C. To continuously scan the surrounding space for dangerous meteoroids.
D. To maintain a stable radio connection with mission control in Houston.

Question 9 of 9

What happened when the 1201 alarm sounded during the descent of the Eagle lunar module?

A. The mission was immediately aborted, and the astronauts had to return to the mothership.
B. The landing gear failed to deploy, requiring Armstrong to initiate a manual override.
C. The onboard computer was overloaded with tasks, but mission control advised it was safe to continue.
D. The cabin began losing oxygen, forcing the astronauts to quickly seal their spacesuits.

Shoot for the Moon — Full Chapter Overview

1Recommendation
2Space race emerged as a byproduct of the Cold War.
3A vast array of issues had to be resolved for Project Mercury.
4NASA’s rigorous culture of safety and quality control was forged during Project Mercury.
5Beating the Americans again, the Soviets launched the first person into space.
6Project Gemini became NASA’s most advanced and ambitious endeavor yet.
7Every Gemini mission was successful and helped bring humans closer to the moon.
8The Apollo program opened with a catastrophe.
9Apollo 11’s crew endured unparalleled, rigorous training intensity in preparation for the moon landing.
10Following a successful launch, Apollo 11 headed toward the moon.
11Upon arrival at the moon, Aldrin and Armstrong piloted the lunar module to touchdown safely.
12On July 20, 1969, humans set foot on the moon.

Shoot for the Moon Summary & Overview

Shoot for the Moon (2019) provides you with a riveting, wide-ranging account of the early space race, culminating with Apollo 11 – the mission that first landed humanity on the moon. Blasting through twelve years of space exploration, these blinks guide you through Apollo 11’s historic mission and the preparatory ones that made it happen.

Who Should Listen to Shoot for the Moon?

Anyone interested in the space race and the Cold War
Science geeks interested in NASA’s early endeavors
Future astronauts who need to do their homework

About the Author: James Donovan

James Donovan is an American author specializing in popular history. His previous best-selling books include A Terrible Glory: Custer and the Little Bighorn – the Last Great Battle of the American West (2008) and The Blood of Heroes: The 13-Day Struggle for the Alamo – and the Sacrifice That Forged a Nation (2012). He lives in Dallas, Texas.