Synopsis

The 1960s witnessed a global fascination with the space race as the United States and the Soviet Union competed for lunar supremacy – a period etched in the collective memory through countdowns, launches, splashdowns, and celebratory parades. Yet, few are aware that beneath this public spectacle, both nations pursued parallel space programs driven by a clandestine objective: to deploy military astronauts on covert reconnaissance missions. With investigative journalist James Bamford, NOVA uncove