Featured Flashback Apollo 14 Astronaut Asks What Is Consciousness

The Apollo 14 mission launched Alan Shepard back into space for a second time – and launched Lunar Module Pilot Edgar Mitchell’s interest in the question “What is Consciousness?” The Apollo 14 mission was the eighth crewed Apollo mission and the third to land on the Moon. While walking on the Moon, Edgar Mitchell stared at the Earth floating in the vastness of space and felt an overwhelming sense of connectedness. This feeling, along with his dedication to exploration, led him to investigate the scientific understanding of consciousness. After retiring from the government, Edgar Mitchell founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences in 1973. Hear from Apollo 14 astronaut Edgar Mitchell about his journey in understanding consciousness.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Tell Me a Story video series shares incredible experiences from real astronauts. For a complete playlist of this series and Untold Stories from the Rocket Ranch, explore through the visitor complex’s YouTube Channel, ExploreSpaceKSC.