‘Race to Moon’ points back to Earth

The “American Experience” (9 p.m., KSPS) documentary “Race to the Moon” recalls a moving moment from the space race that may have also inspired one of the most poignant television broadcasts in history.

While many know about the moonwalk of the Apollo 11 astronauts and the white-knuckle tension surrounding the rescue of Apollo 13, the mission of Apollo 8 may be the most dramatic and important lunar voyage.

In early 1968, America’s space program was still reeling from the death of the three Apollo 1 astronauts. To make matters worse, the CIA believed that a Soviet moon mission was imminent.

In a bold step, NASA decided to accelerate the schedule and send three astronauts – Frank Borman, Jim Lovell and Bill Anders – on an unprecedented mission to orbit the moon and return safely to Earth. And do it all with rocketry and equipment that was largely untested.

Complete with “then-and-now” interviews with the Apollo crew, NASA officials and the astronauts’ wives, “Race” emphasizes the dangers to the three men. Their chances of survival were at best fifty-fifty.

While the Apollo 8 astronauts were focused on the moon, they were most taken with the startling blue vision of the Earth in their rear-view mirror. It was the first time humans had seen their planetary home in its entirety from the vantage point of the heavens.

The three astronauts shared their sense of awe with a global television audience of hundreds of millions. And on Christmas Eve 1968, the astronauts read passages from the Book of Genesis as their cameras broadcast images of the desolate lunar landscape.

As the film, and many Apollo historians have observed, the Apollo 8 astronauts traveled to the moon only to “discover” the planet Earth: A gorgeous, fragile, luminous and living orb floating in an infinite, hostile void.

In 1968 terminology, it was a mind-blowing, conscious-raising experience. And less than two years later – as interest in the space race faded – millions of Americans would celebrate something called Earth Day.

Other highlights

NBA players will appear on “Wheel of Fortune” (7:30 p.m., KHQ) all week to raise money for hurricane victims.

On three episodes of “Medium” (NBC), visions of a murder (8 p.m.), mistakes and misgivings (9 p.m.), and mean as a mother hen (10 p.m.).

On back-to-back episodes of “Prison Break” (Fox), bombs away (8 p.m.), and a new victim (9 p.m.).

“Houdini: Unlocking the Mystery” (8 p.m., History) explores the life and death of the legendary illusionist.

The Steelers host the Ravens on “Monday Night Football” (6 p.m., ABC).

A major league murder case on “CSI: Miami” (10 p.m., CBS).

A celebrated graveyard in Savannah, Ga., gets a visit from the “Ghost Hunters” (10 p.m., Sci Fi).

The gang from “American Chopper” (10 p.m., Discovery) takes their show to London.

“Reel Homes: Real Scary” (11 p.m., HGTV) explores the interior decoration that helps put the haunted house in horror films.