Covers the early years of the United States' "Space Race" with the Soviet Union, including the creation of NASA and the decision to send men to the Moon. Provides an overview of the Mercuryand Gemini programs, concentrating on reconstructions of Alan Shepard's pioneering Freedom 7 Mercury flight; Ed White's first US spacewalk on Gemini 4, the near-disastrous in-flight failure during Neil Armstrong's and David Scott's Gemini 8 mission; and the successful completion of Gemini with Buzz Aldrin's perfection of extravehicular activity on Gemini 12.

Episode 1 Links:

Freedom 7 Real Launch

Freedom 7 From the earth to the moon

Alan Shepard Received Distinguished Service Medal from President Kennedy (note JFK dropping it before presentation to Shepard)

Gemini 8 Real Agena Docking and Abort

Gemini 8 From the Earth to the Moon scene

Gemini 12 real EVA

Gemini 12 From the Earth to the Moon scene