I was thinking about the problems Boeing is having now compared to what problems may have been "in the moment" back when NASA and partners were developing Apollo — problems that are all but forgotten since the climax of the work was of such import.

Obviously the Apollo I fire is not forgotten although I was older before I learned about it — older of course than when I learned that astronauts had walked on the Moon.

YouTube has a trove of "quarterly reports" (and even older material — Manned Spaceflight Reports, for example) that apparently were created as a means of tracking progress and/or setbacks (and money spent?) on the space missions.

As a space nerd since I was quite young, I find these reports somewhat fascinating. (They make interesting "filler material" for my TV app that plays content every day on my home "channel".)

I can't point to a specific report but do recall the odd one talking about a tank rupturing on a pressure test or an engine test-stand being destroyed during an engine run-up.

They paint a picture of a fascinating time when the work was brisk and well-funded — whole facilities being developed, concrete poured, barges built - for this singular goal of ... well, showing up the Soviet Union, I guess.

Some playlists I found (they may not be complete) when quickly searching this morning:

Lots of reports here: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLDwzqZWIrfza3pcILatnC...

Saturn V Quarterly Reports: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbEPfQne9a3zPJRdBb-HA...

Saturn I/IB Quarterly Reports: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLiXem4nUKgcEgQXmr0zy6...