Countdown

In the late 1960s NASA decides to activate the secret Pilgrim Project after learning the Russians will attempt a Moon landing in four weeks. The plan is to send one astronaut on a one-way mission using a modified Titan II and a shelter pod launched beforehand. The aim is for the shelter to await an Apollo mission for retrieval, ensuring a US presence on the Moon.

The Soviet Union announces that a civilian will be carried on their Moon mission, adding political pressure to NASA's plans. NASA and the White House insist that an American civilian must be the first man on the Moon, raising the stakes for Pilgrim. The US decision becomes a point of national pride and international competition.

Lee is selected to be Pilgrim's sole astronaut, a choice that shocks and motivates the team. Mission commander Chiz is outraged but agrees to train Lee within the few days available. The group begins a race against the clock to prepare for a one-way mission.

Chiz drives Lee through a grueling training regime, partly hoping to weed him out and partly to ensure his own readiness. Lee endures the demanding sessions with stubborn resolve, fueled by the astronaut dream. The pressure tests loyalty, nerve, and skill.

A press leak reveals the Pilgrim Project to the public, forcing NASA into a scramble to manage information and public reaction. Officials worry about political fallout and the mission's secrecy. The leak raises questions about timing, safety, and national prestige.

The Soviets launch their Moon mission a week early in a bid to beat the American program. Both sides experience communication challenges, and the outcome of the race becomes uncertain. The added pressure shifts the tone of the mission from secrecy to strategic urgency.

The shelter pod for Pilgrim is launched and lands on the Moon before Lee's flight. It forms the secret backstop of NASA's plan, waiting to greet the returning mission and preserve a human presence on the Moon. The pod's successful deployment marks a new phase in the mission.

Lee is launched on schedule aboard a modified Gemini. En route, a power drain threatens the mission and radio contact becomes difficult, testing Lee's composure and self-reliance. He must rely on training and instinct as the mission unfolds.

As Lee orbits the Moon, the shelter beacon remains unseen. With only seconds to spare before he must abort, he lies about seeing the beacon. Mission Control approves his retro burn, allowing a risky but necessary landing.

Lee lands the Gemini lander and exits with only an hour of oxygen left. He discovers the crashed Soviet lander and the three dead cosmonauts around it, taking a Soviet flag to lay beside his own American flag. The moment blends victory and tragedy as the first deeply personal choice on the Moon unfolds.

With dwindling air, Lee notices a red glow—the beacon atop the shelter. He moves toward the signal despite the danger, hoping it will guide him to safety. The scene emphasizes his resolve and the thin line between survival and failure.

Facing limited oxygen, Lee heads toward the beacon and the shelter, determined to reach refuge. The film leaves his fate uncertain as he disappears toward the shelter in the glow of the beacon. The ending centers on a solitary, hopeful struggle for survival.