During flight training, Pope develops a close relationship with Marine officer Randy Claggett (Beau Bridges). The neglected Elinor Grant (Susan Anspach) becomes the pawn of Leopold Strabismus (David Dukes), while her senator husband drifts into an affair with Pope's wife, Penny.

Pope and Claggett begin training for America's manned-flight program, as ambitious young journalist Cindy Rhee (Maggie Han) researches a behind-the-scenes story resulting in an affair with the married Claggett.

With America's first astronauts becoming media celebrities, Claggett tries to repair John and Penny's broken marriage as he and Pope prepare for a dangerous voyage to the dark side of the moon.