Race for Survival

After the launch of the Soviet Sputnik in 1957, Wernher von Braun is determined to seize the lead and send the first man into space. But his rival in the Soviet Union, Sergei Korolev shares that vision. In contrast to the fanfare at NASA as the first American astronauts meet the press, recruitment of Soviet cosmonauts begins in secrecy that means those selected have no idea what their mission is.