04/01/2026
In 1968, the world was watching—and listening.
This public broadcast from Apollo 8 captures something rare: the real-time voice of humanity leaving Earth orbit for the first time.
🎧 Take a moment to listen:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Nnqqh4R5qK8
What you hear is calm. Measured. Professional.
But behind those voices was an extraordinary system—thousands of people working in disciplined coordination to make that moment possible.
My father, George William Samuel Abbey, was part of that system in Houston during Apollo. Following the Apollo 1 fire, he worked within the spacecraft program to help coordinate the technical and programmatic recovery that restored confidence in the vehicle.
By the time Apollo 8 reached lunar orbit, the mission represented more than exploration—it reflected a system that had been rebuilt, aligned, and trusted.
That’s what you’re hearing in this audio.
Not just astronauts.
Not just Mission Control.
But the outcome of a nation choosing to do something extraordinarily hard—and getting it right.
As we look toward Artemis II, I hope we carry that same spirit forward.
When we hear those voices again—steady, disciplined, focused—we should remember what made them possible.
The people behind the scenes.
The systems they built.
And the commitment to move forward, even after setbacks.
Go Artemis. Go America.
Provided to YouTube by Test Card RecordingsThe Other Side · Public Service BroadcastingThe Race for Space℗ 2014 Test Card RecordingsReleased on: 2015-02-23Ma...
