Watch the Program

SPY ASTRONAUTS

A secret U.S. Air Force program launched in 1964, called MOL for Manned Orbiting Laboratory, is one of the great untold stories of the Cold War.
running time 9:47

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MANNED ORBITERS

Parallel covert programs are developed in the United States and the Soviet Union, with astronauts trained to spy from space.
running time 10:13

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A SPACE BATTLEFIELD?

While both the astronauts and cosmonauts were training for reconnaissance, military planners saw orbiting spy stations as just a first step in the militarization of space.
running time 8:27

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A PROGRAM IN TROUBLE

Tragedy strikes the MOL program, and even as the secret race between the U.S. and Russia continues, advances in unmanned satellite reconnaissance threatens the program's very existence.
running time 9:34

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SPYING ON THE U.S.

Although the U.S. abandons its MOL program, the Russians succeed in flying secret manned spy missions over U.S. territory and that of its allies from 1974 to 1977.
running time 11:10

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