The first moon landing was a proud and exciting day in the United States’ history and, until a few days ago, was something I’d only read about in history books. 

But through VR I was able to experience the moon landing in a more realistic and impressive way than I’d ever thought possible. Apollo 11 is a VR experience that takes you through the first moon landing. The game begins by seating you in front of an old-fashioned projector showing a speech about space exploration by Kennedy. Then, throughout the game, you are moved from this room, to outside the spacecraft, to the cockpit, and eventually to outer space and the surface of the moon.

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image credit: Steam

The graphics are impressive. As I sat in the cockpit beside Neil Armstrong, listening to him, I couldn’t help but get goosebumps. I felt that I was truly part of this major historical event.

As the countdown began I felt myself fill up with anticipation. Ten. I looked around at the astronauts next to me. Nine. Their faces appeared calm and determined. Eight. But I couldn’t help wondering, what were they feeling? Seven. What were they thinking about as they were about to be launched into space? Six. Were they

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image credit: Steam

scared? Five. I know I would be scared if I were about to leave earth’s orbit. Four. I’m sure they were excited. After all, they were about to become the first people to set foot on the moon. Three. I held tight to the armrests of my chair and leaned my head back. Two. I squeezed my eyes shut. One. As the spacecraft took off, I momentarily forgot that it was just a simulation. Feeling like an excited kid, I leaned over to look out the window, watching the world fly by and disappear beneath me.

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image credit: Steam

I spent the rest of the 45 minute simulation in this state of childlike joy, looking at earth, a tiny, perfect world, from the window of a spacecraft, walking on the surface of the moon, and eventually making my safe return to earth.

After returning to earth, taking the headset, and reentering the “real” world, I couldn’t believe that I had just experienced the first moon landing. This was the closest I would ever get to actually being there when it happened, and I had done all of this from my own living room at my own desk in my own chair.

Not only did Apollo 11 VR show me that it is possible to sit and watch essentially a VR movie that was longer than five to ten minutes, it also showed me that VR isn’t just merely for entertainment.

I’m not denying that Apollo 11 VR was incredibly entertaining, because it somehow managed to make 45 minutes feel like 10, but it showed that VR can go beyond a mindless game and become something educational.

Apollo 11 VR is “one small step” in the right direction for the future of educational applications of VR. Imagine showing this to a group of students after they finished reading about Apollo 11 in their textbooks. Imagine how much more they’ll remember what they learned if they actually get to experience it.

This is just the beginning, but it just goes to show, VR could change the future of education for the better.

Featured Image Credit: Steam