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NASA: Oops, We Erased the Moon Landing Tapes

Footage likely recorded over when tape supply was low

By Matt Cantor,  Newser Staff

Posted Jul 16, 2009 12:39 PM CDT
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(Newser) – After searching 3 years for the original tapes of the 1969 moon landing, NASA officials realized they’d spaced: The footage had most likely been taped over, NPR reports. They picked through “racks of documents, tapes, all kinds of things from NASA and other agencies,” says a searcher, before it occurred to them that NASA had run low on tapes over the decades and had begun recycling them.

The original tapes featured the best recordings of the landing; they had to be converted to appear on television, which severely hurt the quality. But all isn’t lost: The searchers began combining the best television footage and enhancing it with help from Hollywood—so a better video of the milestone is on its way.

In this July 20, 1969, file photo, astronaut Edwin Buzz Aldrin poses for a photograph beside the US flag deployed on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.
In this July 20, 1969, file photo, astronaut Edwin "Buzz" Aldrin poses for a photograph beside the US flag deployed on the moon during the Apollo 11 mission.   (Neil Armstrong, NASA)
In this July 20, 1969, file photo, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. Buzz Aldrin, the first men to land on the moon, plant the US flag on the lunar surface.
In this July 20, 1969, file photo, Apollo 11 astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin E. "Buzz" Aldrin, the first men to land on the moon, plant the US flag on the lunar surface.   (NASA)
In this July 20, 1969, file photo, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander, is seen inside the Lunar Module while it rested on the lunar surface.
In this July 20, 1969, file photo, astronaut Neil Armstrong, Apollo 11 commander, is seen inside the Lunar Module while it rested on the lunar surface.   (NASA)
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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 23 comments
Newser001
Jul 16, 2009 11:00 AM CDT
(National Geographic) Buzz Aldrin, First Man (to Pee) on the Moon, Sounds Off - http://news.nationalgeographic...
Timinator2K
Jul 16, 2009 9:36 AM CDT
You mean, traveling there FOR REAL this next time! ;)
Timinator2K
Jul 16, 2009 9:35 AM CDT
Well, since the alleged moon-landing tapes were a shabby Hollywood production anyway, no big loss....boom microphones were looming around through most of the show and that was the give away. That and seeing Charlton Heston being chased by apes on horses in the background.
US • Science

 
NASA • video • Buzz Aldrin • moon landings • recording • Neil Armstrong • Apollo 11

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