A planned shuttle launch is scrubbed when it is learned that a Russian satellite, carrying an unusually large nuclear reactor, is out of control and in a slow orbiting descent that will see it crash somewhere along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Making use of the already prepped-for-launch shuttle, Americans and Russians team up to capture the satellite and bring it back to earth aboard the shuttle.

A planned shuttle launch is scrubbed when it is learned that a Russian satellite, carrying an unusually large nuclear reactor, is out of control and in a slow orbiting descent that will see it crash somewhere along the eastern seaboard of the United States. Making use of the already prepped-for-launch shuttle, Americans and Russians team up to capture the satellite and bring it back to earth aboard the shuttle.

Reggie blames himself as Barbara remains unconscious in the hospital following an accident. Zekes friend Jimmy is killed during a foolish game of duel when a cocky young pilot challenges him during training exercises. When Zeke learns that the young pilot is a friend that he served with in the Gulf, he remains silent about his involvement, honoring a debt that he believes he owes to his fellow pilot. All the while D.B. searches for the truth as to what really happened to Jimmy.

The personal problems created by gaining custody of her child, begin to manifest themselves during a flight simulation, putting Caitlins space launch in jeopardy. Once she makes it to space she experiences a collapsed lung which requires Tamara to perform emergency surgery while in orbit.

Bull publicly locks horns with D.B.'s father, former astronaut turned congressman, when, during a visit to NASA, it is revealed that he has plans to shut down the manned space program. Also, Reggie, having waited years for another opportunity, desperately tries to find out if there is any truth behind a rumor that has him scheduled to pilot the next shuttle mission.

With the position of Space Station Commander up for grabs, Bull lobbies hard for the chance. Unfortunately he is up against a media savvy opponant who has all the right connections. Reggie has been nominated to show around a Colonel from the National Space Developement of Japan, which proves difficult when languange and cultural differences arise. Ladies man Jack Riles is stalked by an ardent female fan who has plans to destroy his life one piece at a time before destroying him.

As a former teacher, astronaut candidate Peter is elected to guide a group of grade students around Kennedy Space Center, prior to the launch of Space shuttle Columbia. One of the students is an annoying young boy, named Tony, who, after being reprimanded by Peter, manages to slip away from the group to get a closer view of the launch area. The countdown is then temporarily suspended while a search is carried out to find the child.

Zeke is upset by the news that his brother Curt has become involved with his ex-girlfriend. Inevitably when he meets up with Natalie he discovers that they are still attracted to one another and secretly they begin to see each other again. Jack receives a surprise from an old girlfriend - a son that he never knew he had! Joanna had kept her pregnancy secret knowing that he did not want children, but a job that will take her to Bosnia has caused her to decide that the best place for Noah is with his father - Jack.

While on a mission to repair a corporate communications satellite, the shuttle crew encounters a Soviet spacecraft that turns out to have been a secret attempt to send a manned mission to the moon - launched, and lost, over 30 years ago - that, had it succeeded, would have reached the moon before the United States.

After 2 years in space, a satellite is returned to earth and is found to have a mysterious substance on its outside surface. Tamara is called in to help in the investigation until Keith Mason and his team from Ames Research push her aside and exclude her from valuable information. Tamara has, however, reserved a sample and does her own research, enlisting D.B.'s help, and discovers that amazingly enough, the substance contains living cells. Mason finds out what she has done and takes steps to bar her completely from further involvement. For the first time Tamara begins to realize that there is more going on than she ever suspected and realizes that she will likely never find out the truth behind what she has found. Meanwhile, while preparing for his first Shuttle mission, Reggie makes the (well-intentioned) mistake of allowing a friend to sleep at his place for a few days. The distraction of a loud houseguest and the stress caused by lack of sleep have him making careless mistak

An elated Reggie Warren has finally realized his dream and has made it into space on a routine mission of a construction EVA and scientific reasearch. All does not go well for long, however, turning his dream into a nightmare. While Reggie and Japanese astronaut Hiro Furukawa are outside the orbiter on an extended EVA there is an accidental release of mercury sulphur gas during one of the experiments inside of the shuttle. On their return inside they find the 2 scientists disoriented, sweating and confused as to what has happened. Reggie must muster all of his faculties to return the Shuttle back to earth and save himself and his crew as he realizes that he too has been exposed to the toxic gas.

With many prominent politicians and military people expected, there are hectic preparations underway for the celebration at NASA to be coupled with the arrival of Space Shuttle Atlantis from its latest mission. With everything going on, the last thing that base personnel need to contend with is a bomb threat. Bull is drawn into the investigation with only a few hours to find out if there is a bomb, where it could be and to disarm it before Atlantis lands.

Also, Jack and Zeke are participating in an experiment testing the design of a newer lighter space suit. Jack, in a careless moment, fails to monitor Zeke in the pressurized tank. When Zeke collapses, Jack rushes, unprotected, into harms way to rescue Zeke - only to collapse himself.

While on a Shuttle mission with Jack Riles, for the new Space Station, Astronaut Sam Blakes wife is rushed to the hospital suffering from complications in her pregnancy. Bull is prepared to scrap the mission until, unexpectedly, Kathy dies. The decision is then made not to tell Sam and to continue with the last 2 days of the mission, even though Sams tiny baby daughter is fighting for her life. Riles soon learns the truth and initially refuses to go along with the deception, but relents after being ordered to. At home Bull and Ellen work together to break the news to Sam's other children and to look after them until their father returns from space.

After Reggie gives an inspiring talk to a group of African-American youths at a local church, he is accused of a terrible hit and run accident by a couple of white youths with whom he had previously had an unpleasant encounter. Led away from NASA in handcuffs, he fears that his long dream of making it to space may be over for good as he watches the newly appointed Head of the Astronaut Office, Bull, ready a replacement for the mission. Although this is devastating to Reggie he is determined to clear his name and reclaim his position as Mission Commander.

On a routine shuttle mission to launch an Italian satellite, Tamara, Dwight Ellis and Italian astronaut Mario, experience a strange flash of light - then darkness. When systems are restored they are horrified by the sight of the satellite, on the end of its severed tether, floating off into space. Although no one is quite sure what has happened, Tamara is unsettled by a vague memory from the darkness, something she chooses not to discuss. On their return the investigation turns ugly with much finger-pointing and recrimination solving nothing. Dwight, however, begins to hint that he too saw ""something"" but is also reluctant to divulge too much. Tamara presses him but, amid the wild speculation that something ""extraterrestrial"" may have been involved, he chooses to deny everything in fear of destroying his career.

With massive hurricane Elena churning in the waters off the coast, Bull, Harry Krause and Officer Del Gibons ignore the ""All-clear"" from the National Hurricane Center and continue with preparing the cape for the worst. Working into the night, Bull orders that Shuttle Atlantis be moved to safety in the Vehicle Assembly Building and assists with the evacuation of local residents. With the hurricane moving in, Riles receives an unwelcome guest. His ex, Joanna, has returned to reclaim their son, seeking to take him with her on her next assignment - and away from Jack. With the storm raging around them, Jack and Joanna argue for custody of Noah.

D.B., Zeke, Peter, Reggie and Barbara are at the Moonshot, helping Sweets prepare the bar for the hurricane. Peter, disappointed that his concert plans were scrapped because of the storm, cannot believe his eyes when, at the bar sits his idol Edgar Winter! As Elana makes landfall, the pier is ripped from the shore and they realise they are all

The ASCANS are in high spirits as graduation day approaches. Unfortunately Bull receives word that NASA has plans for deep budget cuts and one of the ASCANS will have to be dropped from the program before graduating. The rather distasteful task of deciding ""who"" falls to Bull, Reggie, and Jack to decide who will not be allowed to finish the program. During an interview with the ASCANS it is revealed, by the reporter, that one of them will be removed from the program causing all to worry about who it will be. Finally the decision is made and not even a speech by their idol, Buzz Aldrin, can take away the pain of the remaining ASCANS as they remain fully aware that one of their own is unjustly missing.

To improve relations during a time of sensitive talks with the Arab Federation, NASA has (reluctantly) agreed to accept the son of King Alfazz into the space program. Although the Prince had particpated in the International Training Program 3 years prior, (and in which he placed last overall in his class) Bull and Krause are not happy with having to place him into an already prepared mission - especially when there are so many others better qualified, waiting to go. This is not a negotiable decision, they learn, and they are left with no choice but to agree with the politicians. The arrival of the Prince does nothing to make them feel any differently about the decision. The Prince is arrogant and dismissive of everyone, issuing orders and refusing to co-operate with anyone. First teacher in space, Peter is especially affected by the Princes arrival - he will lose significant amounts of time that were supposed to have been allotted to his class, to be taught around the world each d

Bull becomes the prime suspect in a series of information leaks to outside companies - especially since one of these civilian companies has approached Bull with an especially lucrative job offer. With his security access severely limited, Bull must find a way to investigate these crimes and find the real culprit, in order to clear his name and save his career. While awaiting a gold pin for his heroic work on the Atlantis mission, Zeke learns that he may instead be charged with a felony when mission patches, supposedly signed by him, are found for sale at a space convention, by Barbara. What he discovers is that his crooked brother Curt has been behind the scam and now Zeke must decide if he is able to turn his brother in to clear his own name or continue to protect him.

Bull and Andrea's relationship is put to a test when, while in Washington on business, Bull runs into his ex-wife Ellen and they share a quiet dinner together. When Andrea finds out that Bull has spent the evening with Ellen she is hurt and jealous and turns to her ex, Jeff Mason. Jeff's company is supposed to be preparing important sections for the new space station and the company is way behind schedule in its work. He has been sent to divert NASA's attention from his companies short-falls and a distracted Andrea proves to be the perfect tool to achieve this. Barbara, meanwhile has a huge problem to solve. The time capsule that was buried after the first moon landing has mysteriously disappeared. Buried next to the launchpad it was to be excavated in front of the press, during an anniversay celebration. In order to prevent a publicity nightmare for the Kennedy Space Center she must find out what happened to the time capsule and return it before the ceremony.

While on a mission to deliver astronaut Tamara St. James for an extended stay aboard the Mir space station, shuttle Atlantis is severely damaged while trying to execute an emergency disengage maneuver when it becomes apparent that the senior Soviet officer aboard Mir has suffered a breakdown and has become dangerously irrational. It is decided to train a second team and ""quick prep"" a second shuttle to aid in the repair, and hopefully the safe return, of Atlantis.