Factual error: When Neil is returning to Earth in the X-15 it shows him flying through clouds and cuts back to an rapidly decreasing altitude reading of around 70 000 feet. Clouds can not form at 70 000 feet because the air is too cold and thin. Earlier in the scene they show Neil supposedly 'flying through the clouds' at 40 000 feet while the X-15 is still under the wing of a B-52. Clouds that thick can't get up to 40 000 feet unless it is a thunderstorm.
First Man (2018)
1 video
Directed by: Damien Chazelle
Starring: Ryan Gosling, Pablo Schreiber, Claire Foy, Christopher Abbott
Factual error: The interior shots of the Gemini and Apollo Spacecraft show worn and dirty panels, knobs, switches and circuit breakers. The movie most likely used some original cockpit trainers, but in reality the astronauts were flying brand new spacecraft that were spotless.
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Suggested correction: All spacecraft are extensively checked out by technicians before mating to the launch vehicle. Launch rehearsals are done over and over again by both prime and backup crews in the real vehicle in the weeks leading up to launch. Gus Grissom, Ed White, and Roger Chaffee lost their lives in a fire aboard Apollo 1 during one such dress rehearsal. The switches and panels get worn from this use and activity. Crews also make minor modifications to their specific craft to suit the mission and tastes.
Neil Armstrong: You're down here and you look up and you don't think about it too much. But space exploration changes your perception.
Question: A lot of fuss was made over the omission of the lunar flag planting in this movie. However, when I saw the movie in the theater, I distinctly remember seeing the flag on the moon, just not the actual planting. However, that particular shot seems to be missing in the home video release. Does anyone know the reason for this?
Answer: The home release includes a clear shot of the lunar lander with the American flag next to it.
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