TO CLOSE

JoAnn Morgan sat in the middle of the sea with white shirts, black ties and pocket protectors inside the NASA shooting room for Apollo 11's takeoff.
AP

WASHINGTON – Fifty years ago, men were launched on the moon with the help of a Saturn V rocket. There are still only three types of this type of rocket, and none have never been to Washington.

Starting on Tuesday night, Americans will have the opportunity to witness the launch of the Apollo 11 rocket and moon landing in a multi-part visual show, starting with the launch of the Apollo 11 rocket. illumination of the Washington Monument's east face with a 90-meter Saturn V.

Later in the week, visitors will discover a 17-minute immersive documentary and a countdown before heading out with a 40-foot-wide re-creation of the famous Kennedy Space Center clock.

A national effort: The landing on the Apollo 11 moon was made possible by 400,000 workers

"We thought it would be the ultimate experience of simulating what it was 50 years ago when a Saturn V had launched three people on the moon," said Katie Moyer, Program Specialist. at the Smithsonian National Museum of Air and Space, at the origin of the project.

A rendering of the "Apollo 50: aiming for the moon" projection. (Photo: 59 productions)

"Apollo 50: Storming the Moon" is part of an effort by the National Museum of Air and Space to engage the public through unconventional exhibits said Nicholas Partridge, public affairs specialist at the Smithsonian 's National Museum of Air and Space.

"It started with the idea that these two images would create a truly unforgettable visual for the birthday, which could well convey the magnitude of success to people who were not there. to see it with their own eyes, "said Partridge.

To realize their vision, the National Museum of Air and Space has partnered with the US Department of the Interior and 59 Productions, an award-winning video and projection design company. Boeing and Raytheon sponsored the project.

The rocket will be online July 16, 17 and 18 from 21:30. at 23.30 EDT. The free show will take place at 21:30 and 22:30. and 23:30 on 19 and 20 July. The viewing areas are located in the National Mall, opposite the Smithsonian Castle, between the 9th and 12th streets.

The viewing areas are located in the National Mall, opposite the Smithsonian Castle, between the 9th and 12th streets. (Photo: National Museum of Air and Space)

How did they do it?

It is not easy to project hundreds of meters of light into the sky. But 59 Productions knows something about large screens.

Created in 2006, 59 Productions has piloted projects such as Opening Ceremony of the London 2012 Olympic Games. The group also designed screenings on the United Nations headquarters in New York, the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao and the Sydney Opera House.

A team of 25 storytellers and technical producers from 59 Productions worked on the "Apollo 50" project over the last six months – as well as dozens of additional people and enhanced security for the event itself.

According to Richard Slaney, General Manager of 59 Productions, the display of the Washington Monument requires a series of 24 carefully calibrated projectors set back from the foot of the monument. Three to five projectors will converge on each part of the monument to obtain the necessary brightness and clarity.

Apollo 11: The songs that astronauts listen to above the Earth may surprise you

"At some levels, the surface is very simple. We're just projecting on the east side, "Slaney said. But this rectangle measures 200 meters high and is one of the most valuable and valued monuments of the entire United States. It is therefore very sensible to make sure to get it. right."

The Saturn V is 363 feet tall, 60 feet taller than the Statue of Liberty. (Photo: NASA via EPA)

The 17-minute show also features moving visual projections on screens installed along 12th Street.

"If you go to the movies or on a stage, you know very well where you look and what you do. Here, we're making an audience space, but your attention will be drawn between this LED wall, these huge projection screens and the monument itself, "said Slaney.

To be fired: These TV specials celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 lunar landing

The display area on the National Mall can accommodate up to 24,000 people at a time for each of the six separate performances over the two days.

"That's the thing that's really exciting about it: the size of the show," said Slaney. "It is 550 feet tall and you are watching around 20,000 enthusiasts around you.What we hope to do with it, is to mimic the excitement, positivity and hope of the mission itself. "

Follow Grace Hauck on Twitter at @grace_hauck.

Automatic reading

Thumbnails poster

Show captions

Last slide next

Read or share this story: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2019/07/15/apollo-11-moon-landing-rocket-project-washington-monument/1732991001/