They Reached for the Moon by William Oberfield Episode #472

William Oberfield | January 19, 2026

They Reached for the Moon by William Oberfield Episode #472
William Oberfield

THEY REACHED FOR THE MOON

Episode #472 · Written by William Oberfield · Narrated by Scott Miller

They were chosen because they didn’t understand what they were risking. Only in the silence beyond Earth do they begin to realize what the journey is truly changing.

They spent years building the rocket and only moments deciding who would ride inside it. Three earlier missions had vanished without a trace, yet confidence remained. This time would be different. Two men, chosen precisely because they did not grasp the danger, were sent on a simple mission: circle the moon and return.

As Earth shrinks behind them, fear briefly surfaces, then fades into something stranger. Thoughts sharpen. Memories grow vivid. Words come easily. The farther they travel from gravity, the more clearly they begin to think. Space is no longer empty. It is revealing. And what it reveals changes everything they believed about intelligence, identity, and human limits.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

William Oberfield wrote science fiction during an era when rockets were still dreams and the moon was a mystery. Rather than focusing on technical detail, his work explored how environment shapes the human mind. He was especially interested in intelligence, awareness, and the quiet dangers hidden inside progress.

Though Oberfield never achieved lasting fame, his stories reflect the thoughtful, philosophical strain of early science fiction. They Reached For The Moon remains a compelling example of the genre’s golden-age curiosity—asking not whether humanity can reach the stars, but what happens when it finally does.

LISTEN TO THE STORY

Listen to An Eye for the Ladies by Stephen Marlowe — a clever classic sci-fi adventure where identity, mystery, and humor collide in unforgettable vintage science fiction.

ABOUT THE LOST SCI-FI PODCAST

The Lost Sci-Fi Podcast is the most listened-to vintage science fiction podcast in the world. Ranked the #1 Science Fiction Podcast in 34 countries and heard in more than 190 countries, the show has surpassed 3.2 million listens, introducing classic science fiction to a global audience of devoted fans.

Each episode features carefully selected stories from the Golden Age of science fiction, professionally narrated. Timeless storytelling the way it was meant to be heard.

What listeners are saying:

★★★★★ “Far out! I’m really enjoying your story telling of vintage sci-fi. I have been pleasantly entertained by your back stories and amounts of historical information. So informative, entertaining, and enlightening! Thank you for this gem!”
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★★★★★ “By far the most bang for buck short stories podcast. I’ve listened to a ton of short story podcasts over the years, I can safely say, this is a keeper. I come every week to listen to the latest gem posted on this podcast. The narrator makes it extra special with his performance taking the listener to the universe of the story.”
—Mo _ San

Vintage science fiction. Professionally narrated. Carefully curated.