Capricorn One 1978

Astronauts Removed from Launch Pad

As excitement builds for the historic **Capricorn One** mission to Mars, three astronauts—Charles Brubaker, Peter Willis, and John Walker—are unexpectedly removed from the launch pad. Their confusion turns to alarm as they are whisked away to a remote military installation in the desert, completely unaware of the impending conspiracy.

Coercion by NASA Official

Upon arrival at the military base, NASA official James Kelloway reveals a catastrophic malfunction of the life-support system. He coerces the astronauts into creating fake footage to convince the world that they successfully traveled to Mars, using threats against their families to ensure compliance.

Creation of a False Martian Adventure

Trapped in the base, the astronauts are forced to reenact their supposedly successful mission to Mars. As they attempt to fabricate the adventure, a select group at NASA is complicit in the deception, complicating the situation further for the beleaguered astronauts.

Technician's Discovery

Elliot Whitter, an observant technician, notes a troubling inconsistency: the live broadcasts from the spacecraft are reaching ground control before telemetry data arrives. This leads him to suspect that something is terribly amiss with the mission's credibility and sets him on a path of investigation.

Whitter's Disappearance

As Whitter delves deeper into the conspiracy, he suddenly disappears under mysterious circumstances. Fearing for his friend's safety, journalist Robert Caulfield embarks on a perilous mission to unearth the truth behind Whitter's vanishing act and the larger conspiracy at play.

Spacecraft Re-Entry Complications

While the uncrewed spacecraft attempts to re-enter Earth's atmosphere, issues with a faulty heat shield put it at risk of destruction. The astronauts, realizing the severity of their situation, must devise a plan to escape and reveal the truth behind the mission's deception.

Separation for Escape

In a desperate bid for survival, the astronauts separate in hopes of finding help and avoiding capture. However, Kelloway utilizes helicopters to track them down, leading to a tense manhunt as the stakes continue to rise.

Willis and Walker Captured

Despite their efforts to evade capture, astronauts Willis and Walker are eventually apprehended by Kelloway's forces. Meanwhile, Brubaker manages to escape, setting in motion a race against time to expose the conspiracy.

Caulfield's Investigation

Caulfield's investigation into Whitter's disappearance leads him to a peculiar televised exchange involving Brubaker's wife. This moment hints at a deeper narrative, intertwining family vacations with an elaborate cover-up, intensifying his urgency to uncover the truth.

Tip about Abandoned Military Base

Caulfield receives a crucial tip regarding an abandoned military base located northwest of Houston. This tip propels him into action, as he seeks evidence that could unravel the conspiracy surrounding the abandoned astronauts.

Finding Evidence of Brubaker

At the abandoned military base, Caulfield discovers irrefutable evidence of Brubaker's presence, including a distinctive necklace and medallion. This discovery strengthens his resolve to piece together the facts and expose the truth about the mission.

Aerial Search Begins

With the help of a veteran crop-dusting pilot named Albain, Caulfield initiates an aerial search for Brubaker. Their efforts lead them to an isolated gas station, where they finally find the elusive astronaut attempting to remain hidden from pursuers.

Helicopters Crash

In an action-packed sequence, Albain skillfully maneuvers his plane to blind the pursuing helicopters with a spray of crop dust. This daring maneuver results in the helicopters crashing, allowing Brubaker to escape capture and join Caulfield and Albain.

Convergence at Memorial Service

As the nation mourns the presumed loss of the astronauts during a memorial service, Kelloway and Brubaker's wife converge. The atmosphere is tense as they prepare for a shocking revelation that could expose the conspiracy to a live audience.