"Apollo 1: Destination Moon" tells the tragic story of Gus Grissom, Edward H White II and Roger B Chaffee, the astronauts aboard Apollo 1 who perished when it became engulfed by fire during a pre-launch test. But were their deaths the result of corners being cut under pressure to beat the USSR to the moon?...
Read on for how to watch "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" from anywhere with a VPN – and potentially for FREE.
► U.K. date and time: "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" lands in the U.K. on Channel 4 on Sunday, December 7 at 9.30 p.m. GMT (4.30 p.m. ET / 1.30 p.m. PT).
• WATCH FREE — Channel 4 (U.K.)
• Watch anywhere — try NordVPN 100% risk free
President John F Kennedy brought the Space Race into being when he promised that America would put a man on the moon by the end of the 1960s. By the middle of the decade, however, it looked like the USSR would get their first and the pressure on the Apollo programme grew.
By the time the astronauts were sitting inside the Apollo 1* spacecraft for a routine "plugs-out" test in January 1967, there were so many glitches in the flying hardware and so many safety protocols had been ignored that a catastrophe was almost inevitable. Grissom even hung a lemon on it.
To no great surprise, it caught fire. Grissom, White and Chaffee were killed inside 90 seconds. The subsequent investigation demanded a complete redesign of the Apollo program and every safety procedure in existence today for space travel dates back to that dreadful incident.
* The mission originally designated as AS-204 (Apollo–Saturn 204) only became known as Apollo 1 after the widows of the astronauts campaigned to have the name changed to recognize the sacrifice of their husbands.
Read on for where to watch "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" online and from anywhere.
How to watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' in the U.K. for free
"Apollo 1: Destination Moon" premieres in the U.K. on Channel 4 on Sunday, December 7 at 9.30 p.m. GMT (4.30 p.m. ET / 1.30 p.m. PT). Watch for FREE Channel 4
But what if you are a Brit abroad and don't want to miss the show? Don't worry — you can watch it via a VPN instead. We'll show you how to do that below...
Watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' from abroad
If you are a Brit abroad and want to watch "Apollo 1: Destination Moon", a VPN (Virtual Private Network) might be the answer to your prayers.
The software allows your devices to appear to be back in your home country regardless of where in the world you are, making it ideal for anybody away on vacation or on business. Our favorite is NordVPN.
Using a VPN is incredibly simple.
1. Install the VPN of your choice. As we've said, NordVPN is our favorite.
2. Choose the location you wish to connect to in the VPN app. For instance, if you're in the U.S. and want to view a U.K. service, you'd select U.K. from the list.
3. Sit back and watch. Head to Channel 4 to watch "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" online.
Can I watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' in the U.S.?
Despite having its U.S premiere at the Boulder International Film Festival in March 2025, "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" has not been picked up by any U.S. platform as yet but that is likely to change and when it does you will read about it here first.
But don't panic, if you are in the States for work or on vacation. You can watch the show via your usual domestic streaming services by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' in Canada?
As with the U.S., no Canadian network has announced plans to pick up "Apollo 1: Destination Moon". And again, if that changes you'll find details here first.
However, if you are a Brit on holiday in Canada, you can still catch the show on Channel 4 by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' in Australia?
Unfortunately, there is no confirmed release date for "Apollo 1: Destination Moon" in Australia as yet but that could change. We'll be first with the details here.
Meanwhile, if you are a Brit Down Under for work or vacation, you can still watch the show for FREE on Channel 4 by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
Can I watch 'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' in New Zealand?
"Apollo 1: Destination Moon" has no release date in New Zealand right now but if that changes we'll tell you about it here.
However, if you are traveling away from the U.K. for whatever reason, you can still watch the show for free on Channel 4 by using a VPN such as NordVPN.
'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' - Trailer
'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' - Contributors
Martha Chaffee - wife of Roger B. Chaffee
Sheryl Chaffee - daughter
Lowell Grissom - brother of Gus Grissom
Edward H. White III - son of Edward H. White II
Bonnie Baer - Edward H. White II family member
Russell "Rusty" Schweickart - Backup astronaut to Roger Chaffee
Archive Footage:
Roger B. Chaffee - Apollo 1 Astronaut
Gus Grissom - Apollo 1 Astronaut
Edward H. White II - Apollo 1 Astronaut
Betty Grissom - wife of Gus Grissom
Gene Kranz - Flight Director
Christopher Kraft - Deputy Director, NASA
'Apollo 1: Destination Moon' - FAQ
What happened to the launch pad where the tragedy occurred?
LC [Launch Complex] - 34 is retired and now a quiet memorial. A plaque reads: "They gave their lives in service to their country in the conquest of space."
More from Tom's Guide
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