Greater LA
Apollo 11: How Southern California engineers helped change history
The small city of Downey ballooned in size in the 1960s, as thousands of scientists, engineers and blue collar workers designed and built the capsule that transported astronauts to the moon and back.
By Steve Chiotakis • • 24m ListenThe small city of Downey ballooned in size in the 1960s, as thousands of scientists, engineers and blue collar workers designed and built the capsule that transported astronauts to the moon and back. On the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission, we speak with some of the engineers who made it happen.
In this episode
3 storiesHow Downey, California helped put Apollo 11 on the moon (and get the astronauts back safely)
Fifty years ago, Apollo 11 launched from the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida. However, the command module that brought those astronauts to the moon and back was built in Downey, California.
Read the story10 minOC Line: Changes to 'grandstanding' in Orange County
Several cities in Orange County have decided to change the rules to limit what some councilmembers call “grandstanding,” putting issues you think are important on the agenda for public discussion and a possible vote.
Read the story5 minIs Southern California still important for space exploration?
Major aeronautics companies gearing up for World War II based their factories in Southern California, so it was natural for them to go into space.
Read the story9 min
