Countdown

Set during the height of the Space Race, governments push for a first American Moon landing. The countdown to a four-week window creates tense urgency, secrecy surrounding the Pilgrim Project, and a race against Soviet ambitions. The era’s technological optimism is shadowed by political rivalry.

The action centers on NASA launch facilities and mission control on Earth and the Moon's barren surface. The lunar setting features a covert shelter pod, a Gemini lander, and a crashed Soviet craft. The Moon's isolation and stark terrain drive the tension as Lee fights to survive with dwindling air and dwindling time.

🛰️ Courage under pressure

Lee Stegler faces extreme testing—limited oxygen, communications failure, and a one-way mission. The character must stay focused, make hard choices, and endure isolation while a global audience watches. The story uses personal grit to explore what it takes to volunteer for a dangerous, unknown future.

🌕 Lunar isolation

Alone on the Moon, Lee confronts physical danger and psychological strain. With radio contact severed and time running out, he must trust his training and instincts. The desolate lunar landscape amplifies the loneliness and pressure of survival.

🇺🇸 National pride

The mission unfolds within a tense Cold War context where NASA and the White House insist an American civilian take the first Moon step. The plot intertwines personal ambition with national prestige, highlighting how geopolitical rivalry shapes human risk.