When funding for the Apollo missions dried up, after the last trip to the moon aboard Apollo 17 in 1972, NASA was given the unique opportunity to put Skylab into orbit with its remaining budget. The space station was actually built from the 3rd stage of an extra Saturn IV rocket and was huge compared to anything else that had been in space before.

This footage from NASA shows the inside of Skylab and the famous video of Pete Conrad 'exercising' in space by running around the station (in true 2001 style.)

Skylab is unfortunately best known for burning up and crashing into the Australian outback in 1979 at this point. (The US government was fined $400 for littering.) But, it was quite an achievement for its time and set records continuously for the amount of time man spent in space.

Permalink    Labels: Lost Classics, Space

Some things are truly meant to remain lost and I think if George Lucas had his way this would never be played again anywhere. Actually, I think he'd probably go back in time and tell himself not to have anything to do with this shameless piece of crap televised dribble. In his defence he didn't direct it and has ensured that it has never been shown on television again since its original broadcast in 1978. It has also never been sold in any form...not even on Laserdisc.

This is truly painful to watch, and doubly so if you are actually expecting to be marginally entertained by characters you are familiar with (such as say Bea Arthur....yes, Bea Arthur is in this.)

Anthony Daniels, C3PO, actually refered to this slop as, "The horrible Holiday Special that nobody talks about." Lucas has reportedly stated, "If I had the time and a sledgehammer, I would track down every copy of that show and smash it." It has also been called, perhaps accurately, "The worst 2 hours in television history."

But, seeing as how it is almost Christmas, feel free to treat yourself to this 2-hour long slow motion train wreck. It truly needs to be seen to be believed. The positive side? Attack of the Clones is going to look like a masterpiece compared to this.

The video can be viewed via Google Video (above), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

The Star Wars Holiday Special

Permalink    Labels: Space, Google Video, Science Fiction

Made for the BBC in 2000, this is a kicked in the teeth documentary focused on why the Challenger disaster happened and how it could have been avoided. It features interviews with key players in the decisions that were made - and not made - that led to the explosion.

Not entirely pleasant to watch, but something that is important to understand in hindsight. If you aren't familiar with o-rings and minimum temperatures than this will be 50 minutes of enlightenment.

The video can be viewed via Google Video (to the right), but is also available for download in mp4 format for the iPod Touch and iPhone on this page:

Challenger, Go For Launch (BBC)

Permalink    Labels: Google Video, History, Documentaries, Space