David R Oakes

Apollo Rising David R Oakes

America is losing the Space Race. In 1962, NASA selects the 2nd group of astronauts, called the 'New Nine' by the press. Lieutenant Commander Butch Gilmore, a Navy test pilot, is selected. Gilmore quickly joins his fellow astronauts in training, and along the way, sets off a chain of events that irrevocably change the history of the race to the moon. Gilmore and his wife, Jessie- an excellent engineer in her own right - along with Butch's best friend, Dan Ratliff, struggle with personal demons while working to ensure an American is the first man to step foot on the moon. When Gilmore is selected to fly the first Gemini mission as Gus Grissom's pilot, the two become friends, which has life and death impact to Gus's future.