Drunk History season 3 episode 13 Recap and FAQ
Episode Summary
In 1977, Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan create the Voyager Golden Record, a gold-plated mixtape of humanity's greatest achievements, launched into space. Their collaboration turns romantic, culminating in an engagement. Meanwhile, Wernher von Braun, pivotal in American rocket science and with a controversial Nazi past, advances space technology, influencing projects like Disneyland's Tomorrowland. The story shifts to 1965's first spacewalk by Russian cosmonaut Alexey Leonov, a perilous yet triumphant moment in space exploration, marked by Leonov's near-disastrous return to the spacecraft and an off-course landing in Siberia.
Full Episode S03E13 Recap
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the purpose of NASA's Voyager mission?
To send Voyager 1 and 2 spacecraft to exploit a rare planetary alignment and be flung into deep space.
Who was tasked with creating a message for extraterrestrial life for the Voyager mission?
Astronomer Carl Sagan.
What format was chosen for the Voyager mission's message to extraterrestrials?
A gold-plated record.
How did Carl Sagan and Ann Druyan contribute to the Voyager Golden Record?
They selected content representing humanity and added personal touches, including Druyan's brainwaves.
What is Wernher von Braun known for?
Being the father of American rocket science and developing the V-2 rocket.
What controversial decision did Wernher von Braun make during World War II?
He joined the SS and worked on rockets for Nazi Germany.
How did Wernher von Braun contribute to the U.S. space program?
He developed rocket technology, including the Saturn V rocket for the Apollo Moon landing.
What was significant about Alexey Leonov's spacewalk?
It was the first human spacewalk, conducted during the Voskhod 2 mission in 1965.
What dangerous situation did Leonov face during his spacewalk?
His suit inflated too much, making it difficult to re-enter the spacecraft.
Where did the Voskhod 2 spacecraft land?
In the Siberian tundra, far off the intended course.
How long were the Voskhod 2 cosmonauts stranded in Siberia?
For about 30 hours before being rescued.
What was Operation Paperclip?
A U.S. program to bring German scientists, including von Braun, to America post-World War II.
What role did Walt Disney play in von Braun's career?
Disney collaborated with von Braun to create the "Man in Space" TV series, promoting space exploration.
What was included in the Voyager Golden Record?
Sounds of nature, greetings in various languages, music, and Ann Druyan's brainwave recordings.
How did the public react to Leonov's spacewalk?
It was a moment of national pride for Russia and a significant achievement in the space race.