President John F. Kennedy issued the challenge to America in a speech to Congress in 1961: Land a man on the moon within the decade. This HBO mini-series, produced by Tom Hanks, chronicles the story of NASAs efforts to carry out the vision. Episode one of the 12-part series looks at the early response to President Kennedys request, just after the U.S.S.R. put the first astronaut into orbit. ~ Rose of Sharon Winter, All Movie Guide