The moon was near as never before. In 1968!

EARTH ABOVE HORIZON OF THE MOON, SEEN FOR THE FIRST TIME

The man stepped on the Moon for the first time in 1969. But in 1968 became clear that be in the Moon was just a matter of time.

The Apollo 8 mission was responsible for this feeling that Moon was near to the mankind. In December three American astronauts came as close as never to the Moon. The spacecraft navigated in the lunar orbit for the first time and showed images through TV and photos of the Moon and of the Earth.

The mission was decided in a hurry. At that time the space was one of the main places were US and Soviet Union was fighting in the Cold War battle. It was a priority for both to be the first to arrive in the moon. And soviets seemed to be leading this battle since 1961, when Yuri Gagarin was the first man sent to space.

But US decide the Moon should be its main victory. And decided to send quickly, in December of 1968, the Apollo 8 mission with three astronauts: Frank Borman, James A. Lovell and William A. Anders. Despite of the run, the mission was a big success -- the images of the Moon so close and of the Earth so far attracted people all over the world with records of audience for the TV for example.

The images were beautiful and also sent two messages: the US took the leadership in the "battle of the space" and the Moon was close, very close.

It was a landmark. And happened in 1968, as usual...

Image of Lunar Surface from Apollo 8 Live Television Transmission