Ep 11. AstroSpies

AstroSpies is an episode from season 35 of the science documentary series NOVA. This episode takes a deep dive into the little-known history of the US military's secret space program, which was aimed at gathering intelligence on the Soviet Union during the Cold War.

The show starts with an overview of the geopolitical climate of the 1950s and 60s when the US and the Soviet Union were locked in a fierce competition for global dominance. It was during this period that the space race took center stage, as both countries poured massive resources into their respective space programs.

The episode then introduces us to a group of astronauts who were tasked with carrying out a series of top-secret space missions for the US military. Led by Air Force Colonel Alvin Drew, these astronauts were dubbed the "Manned Orbiting Laboratory" (MOL) team and were part of a program that aimed to put an espionage platform into Earth's orbit.

The MOL program was highly classified, and even today, many details about it remain shrouded in secrecy. Nevertheless, this episode manages to shed some light on what it involved and how it operated.

One of the key features of the MOL program was a large spacecraft that could house two astronauts at a time. The goal was to use this spacecraft as a platform for taking photographs of Soviet military installations from space. The MOL team had to develop specialized cameras and other equipment to carry out this mission. Moreover, they had to be trained in the art of reconnaissance and espionage, which involved learning how to operate spy cameras and handle classified information.

The episode provides an in-depth look at the training program that the MOL team went through. We get to see how the astronauts practiced taking photographs from a moving spacecraft, how they learned to spot hidden missile silos and other military installations, and how they collaborated with intelligence agencies to analyze the data they collected.

Another fascinating aspect of the MOL program was the spacecraft itself. The MOL was designed to be more than just a reconnaissance platform. It was also meant to serve as a laboratory for scientific experiments and technological innovation. The episode shows some of the cutting-edge technology that the MOL team developed, including an early version of a space-based laser communication system that could send high-speed data transmissions across vast distances.

Despite its impressive technology and its highly-trained crew, the MOL program ultimately proved to be short-lived. In 1969, the project was abruptly canceled, due in part to the high cost of the program and the changing geopolitical landscape of the time. The MOL spacecraft was never put into orbit, and the secrets of the top-secret program remained hidden for decades.

AstroSpies is a fascinating account of one of the most secretive and innovative space programs in history. Through interviews with former MOL astronauts and other experts, the show offers a unique insight into the technological and human challenges of conducting espionage from space. It also sheds new light on the role that the US military played in the early days of the space race, and how it helped shape the course of human spaceflight. Overall, AstroSpies is a must-watch for anyone interested in the history of space exploration or the Cold War era.