--- title: How NASA Sold the Science and Glamour of Space Travel description: NASA used marketing strategies to gain support for its space missions, leading up to the moment Apollo 11 astronauts set foot on the moon on July 21, 1969 image: https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hubfs/How%20NASA%20sold%20the%20moon.jpg --- [Skip to main content](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/how-nasa-sold-the-science-and-glamour-of-space-travel#maincontent) [ «  View All Posts ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog) # How NASA Sold the Science and Glamour of Space Travel July 20th, 2019 1 min read By [David Meerman Scott](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) ![How NASA sold the moon](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/How%20NASA%20sold%20the%20moon.jpg?width=995&height=606&name=How%20NASA%20sold%20the%20moon.jpg) NASA used marketing strategies to gain support for its space missions, leading up to the moment Apollo 11 astronauts landed on the moon on July 20, 1969 (50 years ago today). But soon after, the American people's doubts returned. I’m featured in this really great (high production value) mini-documentary by Retro Report. I hope you will take 6 minutes to check it out. I believe the marketing aspects of the Apollo missions were as important as the spacecraft and what better day to learn about this than the 50th. The idea that we wanted to go to the moon is so audacious. It’s also so expensive! To launch its lunar landing project, NASA had to find ways to convince the American public that the costly, audacious pursuit was essential. The mini documentary was produced in partnership with PBS, American Experience, to coincide with *[Chasing the Moon](https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/films/chasing-moon/)*, which reimagines the race to the moon for a new generation, upending much of the conventional mythology surrounding the effort. ## The American Achievement of Advertising Apollo If you really want to geek out about the marketing aspects of the Apollo program, please also check out "The American Achievement of Advertising Apollo", on the NPR Innovation Hub program This is a 20 minute show that aired yesterday and I am the only guest. [Here is a link to the podcast version. ](http://blogs.wgbh.org/innovation-hub/2019/7/19/american-achievement-advertising-apollo/) Want even more? Here is a *New York Times* story [The Apollo 11 Mission Was Also a Global Media Sensation](https://www.nytimes.com/2019/07/15/business/media/apollo-11-television-media.html). [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/413105/37916c1d-6a5e-49b8-b8cc-5b041b9895b5.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/413105/37916c1d-6a5e-49b8-b8cc-5b041b9895b5) [ David Meerman Scott ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/author/david-meerman-scott) David Meerman Scott is a business growth strategist, advisor to clever entrepreneurs who are building emerging companies, and the international bestselling author of a dozen books published in 30 languages. David’s high-energy keynote presentations, masterclasses, and virtual events educate, energize, and inspire. Connect: [mailto:david@freshspot.com](mailto:david@freshspot.com) Topics: [ Marketing the Moon ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/marketing-the-moon) [ Case Studies ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/case-studies) [ Newsjacking ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/newsjacking) [ Brand Journalism ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/topic/brand-journalism) Don't forget to share this post: ## Related Articles [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Artemis%20earthset.jpg?width=5568&height=3712&name=Artemis%20earthset.jpg) ### Nasa’s Artemis II Lunar Mission: A PR Triumph for the USA April 11th, 2026|1 min read ](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/blog/nasas-artemis-ii-lunar-mission-a-pr-triumph-for-the-usa) [![](https://www.davidmeermanscott.com/hs-fs/hubfs/Fly%20me%20to%20the%20Moon.jpg?width=1500&height=1005&name=Fly%20me%20to%20the%20Moon.jpg) ### Fiction and Fact! 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