In October of 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first man-made object to orbit the Earth. It struck fear into the hearts of Americans, who had come to view their World War II ally as an enemy, and who saw their own efforts ast space flight ending in flaming wrecks on the launchpad..

Homer H. Hickam Jr., the son of a West Virginia coal miner, would watch the night sky hoping to see the satellite pass overhead. He and his friends decided that they could play a role in the space race, and began making and launching their own rockets. Their early attempts were less than successful, and drew the ire of Homer Sr., their school, and local authorities. But one teacher encouraged them, and eventually their efforts were successful.

Hickam went on to be one of the first scientists in NASA.