Who is it?
Open the door.
What's this about?
Alexei.
Is he all right? Has something happened?
Get dressed. You're coming with us.
Watch your sister. I'll be back soon.
Please.
Please!
Whatever's happened,
you must know, we're good workers.
And Alexei, he would never, he would never…
- I don't know what it-- - They're waiting for you.
Chief Designer.
Is Alexei all right?
They won't tell me what's happened.
He left for a training mission last week and now…
What is it?
That's the surface of the moon.
Is Alexei going to the moon?
No, my little one.
He's already there.
I'm beginning my descent.
I take this step for my country,
my people,
and for the Marxist-Leninist way of life.
Knowing that today is one small step
on a journey that will someday take us all to the stars.
The celebration of the Soviet victory
over the Americans continues across the nation and the world…
as General Secretary Brezhnev joined thousands of his fellow citizens
at a parade to honor cosmonaut Alexei Leonov,
the man responsible for the first ever moon landing.
A new hero for our times.
To the Chief Designer of the Soviet Space Program.
For your efforts leading to our nation's victory in the race to the moon.
You are hereby bestowed the honor of Hero of the Soviet Union.
Signed General Secretary Leonid Brezhnev.
Thank you.
- Congratulations, comrade. - Deputy Chairman Tarasov.
I'm sorry we couldn't have you at the parades for this great achievement,
but KGB is now more concerned than ever
about what the Americans might do to you.
- If your identity were to become public-- - Parades are for children.
All I request is a word with the General Secretary
- about our next phase, it is imperative… - No, no, no. Now is not the time
- to discuss this, comrade. - …that we… Then when?
I sent my proposals to the Kremlin months ago.
Yes, I was briefed on them.
- Venus, Mars. No. - Yes. Yes.
- The moon must remain your focus. - I--
This will only further cement the superiority of the socialist cause.
We must think bigger. The moon was just a stepping stone.
How can you be so short-sighted?
Well, maybe you're the one being short-sighted, comrade.
Get your own house in order before talking of Venus.
I'm sorry, comrade.
This honor must stay here where it will be safe.
Of course.
Have a pleasant day.
Late start to the morning, Comrade Morozova?
I got lost.
This building's like a maze.
You'll get used to it.
Few weeks at the most.
- You seen my watch? - No.
Can you do this for me?
Where'd you get the skirt from?
- I don't remember. Why? - It's far too short.
Everyone's gonna be staring at your legs.
Valya.
Well, how else are we gonna ensure they give you a plum assignment?
Yeah.
Not that you would ever tell me if they're sending you to the moon.
TM REMARKS UPON HELPING VM SECURE ASSIGNMENTS
You expecting someone?
It's Sasha. We're late for training.
Come in!
Morning, lovebirds.
Sasha, maybe you can tell me
since my husband refuses and you have fewer scruples.
I'll take that as a compliment.
Has he been assigned a lunar mission yet?
I don't wanna find out like Leonov's wife.
Tanya, please not now.
You know the Chief keeps his cards close.
But don't worry.
I'll make sure that you're the last to know.
Go to hell, Sasha.
- Love you. - Bye!
- You need to stop pushing them. - It's ridiculous.
After the victories I've handed them on a platter…
They still treat me like a glorified errand boy.
You should take them seriously.
- The Americans are-- - The Americans, the Americans.
You all see Americans hiding under every rock and pebble.
And indeed they are.
One of our assets in Washington has alerted us
that the Americans have somehow acquired your plans for the lunar base.
How? These are kept secure in engineering.
It appears that someone in Star City is working for the other side.
Colonel Raskova.
There she is. The Night Witch herself.
You know, they say she killed over a hundred Germans
during the Great Patriotic War.
How am I supposed to gain her attention if all I'm given are the dregs?
So much of what I must notate is just…
- Dull? - It's mind-numbing drivel.
Why is it important to the State how long he spends on the toilet
or how much paprika she puts in the pepper stew?
I just didn't spend four years at Lomonosov to become a glorified secretary.
Be patient, Irina.
They always give the mundane assignments to the new workers.
When I first started, I had to listen to Georgi Frunze for six months.
He used to sit in his apartment alone for days on end.
No one to speak with except his mother on Sundays.
It was pathetic.
Silence is nice sometimes.
At least we both have cosmonauts to listen to.
My girl and your boy, they're gonna be on the Luna 16 mission.
She's gonna be the first woman on the moon.
They're gonna know the name Yana Akhmatova all around the world.
One minute to jump! Double-check your harnesses and altimeters.
I can't believe you haven't told her yet.
Tanya's not stupid.
She senses something,
but they're demanding even more secrecy than with Leonov.
I understand it. Americans could sabotage the mission.
- You never know what they're gonna do. - Bullshit. Bullshit, Valyush.
They just don't want to be embarrassed in front of the world if the mission fails.
- Yeah, and with a woman on board-- - We won't fail.
We already put one bitch in orbit, why not another?
Right. Shut up. Stay focused.
I, for one, am proud to be piloting the first woman to the moon.
And I am proud to have you as my pilot, Valyush.
Maybe you can hold her dress during the parade.
Maybe I will.
Valya's been up three times already. How many times have you been, Sasha?
Well, they're saving me for the big one.
That must be it.
Okay, we're at altitude.
Belikova, you're up first. Let's go!
Now remember, keep your arch.
Maintain your center of gravity in your torso as you descend.
You didn't have proper body position last time, so you landed roughly.
Enough with this talk! We're not cubs.
Let's go!
She's crazy.
Ladies first. Unless you want to hold my arm.
Belikova, ignore him. You focus on your jump.
Be here.
That's quite a landing, Belikova.
Hey, look! No, no, no His chute's not opening! Look.
It's Sasha! Look. No, no.
Sasha!
Quickly!
Shit.
Hurry!
Sasha!
Sasha.
At least I know you'll cry at my funeral!
You're a piece of shit, Sasha!
Come on, that was funny!
You should've seen all your faces.
Ignore him! He's a child.
What's the matter?
Are you sure Yana said it was her brother?
Yeah. Checked it ten times since last night.
She said she was going to see her brother Ivan before her launch.
But she's never mentioned a brother before.
So I checked on his name,
and there's an Ivan Akhmatov who writes for the Sintaksis.
The underground magazine?
She must've withheld his name in order to qualify for the program.
You must report this, Vika.
Why have you brought me here?
Tell me about your brother, Ivan.
What about him?
What do you know about his association
with the Western periodical Sintaksis?
What are you talking about?
Ivan is dead.
No, he's not.
This is… This is absurd. Why, you think just because you--
…I've done!
I have sacrificed everything for the cause of the Soviet people!
You know nothing about what that means!
We know you're working with the Americans.
You think everyone is working for the Americans!
You're not answering the que--
Please, I'm so tired, please.
Say what you said before.
All right, all right. I'll admit it.
I have been working against the Soviet state.
Please, please…
Turn it off.
This is a mistake. She didn't do this.
I know you two are close, but she really--
She is the best pilot I have! You can't do this now.
Yana Akhmatova will not be the first woman on the moon.
Moscow has already chosen her replacement.
Who?
Anastasia Belikova.
Of course. Of course, they want a puppet.
A more prudent choice for a mission of this importance.
Akhmatova was too unpredictable.
Well, she can't be ready in three days!
Gagarin had three days.
Belikova is no Gagarin, and this is more than a trip to Earth's orbit!
Belikova is--
She has been a party member
- since she was 18. - A party member.
- Her father is still a local commissar… - Her father!
- … of her village. - Of course. None of which, Lyudmilla,
means that she can handle the dangers of going on a space flight
with inadequate training!
Which is why you will prepare her.
Comrade Belikova.
Do you understand what we just told you?
Yes.
You'll need to start training with Valya Mironov immediately.
I understand. I will not fail you.
Tell me, Comrade Belikova, why did you join the Cosmonaut corps?
To risk your life to reach the cosmos. Why?
For the glory of the Soviet Union, Chief Designer.
Excellent answer, comrade.
You will be the first woman on the moon.
A Soviet woman.
You will be speaking to the entire world from the lunar surface
about the greatness of the Soviet people.
How will I know what to say?
Lots of people at the Kremlin have crafted a speech for you.
All you have to do is memorize the words.
This mission must remain a secret until you successfully land on the moon.
You must tell no one, not even your father.
He will be notified only upon its completion.
The secrecy is paramount…
Colonel, may I ask why Yana Akhmatova
was removed from this mission?
No, you may not.
Comrade?
Call Dr. Borovsky. Tell no one.
The American press…
Blood pressure 140 over a hundred.
Pulse is still fast.
Last year's operation may have saved your life,
but there was strain placed on your heart.
If you don't limit your stress, it could cost you your life.
I'll be back in the morning to run more tests.
Can I speak to you, please?
…and further claims there was insufficient fuel…
I can't stress the importance of…
Nazi scientist Wernher von Braun
was asked to comment on the Soviet Union's historic moon landing.
He said, "What matters is not who is first, but who is more capable."
Look at him.
A Nazi paraded as a savior
and here I am hiding like a coward…
while they destroy yet another life.
What's happened?
Yana Akhmatova…
is no longer on Luna 16, she's…
confessed.
They're saying she's the American mole.
Is it true?
I'm so sorry.
The truth is they still don't trust me.
You have given them so much--
And yet they refuse my counsel.
They deny my plans and now…
They've come for one of my eagles.
Hey, hey.
And I do nothing.
Nothing.
I do nothing.
There was a lonely birch in the field
Standing there
There was no one to bend the birch
No one to bend the curly one
- Well, don't you look nice. - Be careful.
It's fine. He'll be at training all day.
No, it's my neighbor, Semenova.
She's gonna be the death of me, always poking around.
But I'm like a mouse, slipping through the cracks.
And you're my cheese.
Shut up, Sasha.
Wait.
- Behind me. - Okay.
- Leave this. - Okay.
Put your hand there.
Put your hand down.
- Remember to pull out. - Okay.
Fuck.
I said not inside.
I'm sorry. I couldn't… I couldn't help it.
Get a cloth.
Give me a minute.
Get a cloth.
- Just give me a minute. - It's not funny.
Fuck it.
Thanks.
What the fuck is that?
Irina.
- You got it? - Yeah.
Irina.
You okay?
I'm fine. What is it?
I've been given a commendation for my work.
Congratulations, comrade.
Thank you for pushing me.
Apparently, after interrogation she gave a full confession.
Well, I better prepare for a meeting on the third floor.
Operations Directorate asked me to sit in, so…
Luna 16. Prepare to run reentry fail test 370.
Moscow, Luna 16.
We detect a failure of the automatic sequence.
Copy, Luna 16.
Calculate time remaining to proceed with manual burn termination.
We're reading your rate of reentry as too high.
Three seconds remaining, terminating burn--
No, not yet. No.
Burn terminated early.
Catastrophic overload of the capsule heat shield.
- Restart the sequence. Let's try again. - Operation confirmed.
- Valya, sorry. I-- - Don't apologize to me.
Please set coordinates to 5927.
We both know you don't belong here. You're not supposed to be here.
And the person who should be sitting in your seat is off
to some labor camp somewhere.
- Yana is-- - Don't ever say her name.
Take her name out of your mouth!
You sit there and you stay quiet
and you press the buttons I tell you to press
when I tell you to press them!
We're gonna try this again and then again and again and again!
And hopefully when we launch in two days, you won't kill us both.
'Cause this is real life, do you understand?
- Yes. - Good.
Moscow, begin entry sequence.
Copy Luna 16.
Preparing simulation again for reentry fail test 370.
What are you doing in there?
"Love you, sunshine."
Shut up.
Should I start leaving you notes?
Please don't.
Shit, I'm late for training.
You're all so predictable.
Come on.
You know I'd much rather be here with you than amongst those snakes.
You heard what happened to Yana?
Before Valya left he wouldn't stop raging about it.
They're saying someone in her family was a dissident.
But Yana told me she hasn't talked to her family in years.
So, how could she have talked to her brother?
Then why would they do this?
She always spoke her mind.
They had to remove her because they couldn't control her.
So Yana never got the chance to fly.
So she was on the next mission?
And Valya?
I really must go.
…me she hasn't talked to her family in years.
So, how could she have talked to her brother?
Look, he said that Yana hasn't spoken to her family in years.
Well, he would say that. He's her friend.
Yes, but there is a chance she's innocent.
I know my conclusion was accurate.
Yana confessed, she's the mole.
I'm sure it was accurate,
but perhaps it's worth looking into further.
You'd like that, wouldn't you?
Like what?
Me having to retract my report
and be humiliated in front of Colonel Raskova.
Of course not. That's not what I want.
Jealousy is the last thing I would have expected of you, Irina.
I'm just trying to make sure you have the right person.
What are you doing?
Before his Vostok launch, Gagarin really needed a piss,
so he just went on the back tire.
Now, it's tradition.
It's to splash against the tire.
It's how Valentina did it.
Belikova, what you doing?
Why's she got her ass out?
She's fucking mad.
Discharge SHO.
One-minute readiness.
Good to start.
Broach one. Stretching.
Purging. Broach two.
Star City, Luna 16. We're starting oxygen flow.
Copy, Luna 16.
Proceed with primary oxygen valve opening.
- Opening primary oxygen valve. - No.
You just practice your lines.
That's your assignment.
Luna 16 capsule leak check in progress.
Cabin pressure is normal.
Star City, Luna 16. We're ready for launch.
Copy, Luna 16. Opening fuel tanks.
Ignition.
Adding 435 meters per second to the capsule velocity.
Star City. Luna 16, you are crossing 100 kilometers.
I have done nothing wrong!
I shouldn't be here!
I am telling you the truth. I have done nothing wrong.
Why can't you listen to me?
I'm not lying.
I have a brother, but he is dead.
And I love my country. I would do anyth--
This step for every woman.
I… I am a woman.
"I am one woman,
but I take this step for every Soviet woman.
For all Soviet women."
And…
I take this step for all those…
and all those
who have dedicated…
their lives
to the Marxist-Leninist way of life.
…to the Marxist-Leninist way of life.
You may exit.
To those who have sacrificed…
who have sacrificed…
For the motherla… sacrificed for the motherland.
A land built on the idea that we are all equal in the eyes…
A land built on the idea
that we are all equal in the eyes
of the Revolution.
IVAN ANDREEVICH AKHMATOV 1948-1949
Come in here!
I'm sorry, Colonel Raskova. I thought you'd gone for the night.
You're the new girl, from Moscow. That right?
Yes, that's right.
You're claiming Cosmonaut Akhmatova was arrested in error,
that she's not the person we are looking for?
Correct.
Her brother died when he was a child.
There's no connection to the dissident writer.
They merely share the same name.
It was an innocent mistake.
- The person who listens to the-- - There is no such thing.
This is good work.
Thank you, Colonel Raskova. I'm honored that you think so.
You say here you overheard this discrepancy
- during your normal duties. - Yes, Colonel.
But you're not assigned to listen to Cosmonaut Sasha Polivanov.
No, he was in conversation with Tanya Mironova.
He said it to her. I noted this in my report as well.
Yes. I see that here.
But you make no mention of them fucking.
I…
They were fucking, were they not?
- Yes. - Why is it not in your report?
I didn't feel it was essential to the case.
Well, your job is to write down everything that you hear.
Yes, ma'am. I'm sorry.
Oh, no. Don't take me the wrong way. I'm impressed with your work.
Where'd you grow up?
Rublyovka.
Yes. I can smell it on you.
Privilege.
It's a myth of the Soviet Union,
that after the Revolution, we became more egalitarian.
No.
There are still elites.
The Revolution just disguised them.
Like you.
Irina Vasilievna Morozova,
you show promise, but you are soft.
Never to fight for anything.
You assume it will be handed to you.
Is that who you are?
No.
Come with me.
To where?
To fix this mistake.
Belikova is suiting up for a space walk from the orbiter to the lander.
Undocking and landing on schedule.
Chamber pressure has reached near-vacuum.
Ready for hatch opening.
Received and opening the lock hatch.
I'm making my way along the ship towards the hatch of the lunar lander.
You need to go slowly, Anastasia.
One hand over the other.
Received. All is normal.
Hold on.
I'm getting an alert in my suit.
The CO2 is rising too quickly.
The scrubber must be malfunctioning.
Ground Control, is there any way I can vent the excess CO2?
Received. We are working on it.
Belikova, we want you to try cycling the ventilation loop valve.
Received. Cycling valve.
Ground Control, it didn't work.
CO2 is still rising.
Anastasia, come back to the command capsule.
No.
If I come back now, we will have to abort. I am not coming back.
We'll miss the landing window.
I have to get to the lander. I can still make it.
Shit.
All right, everyone, we must find a way to repair that suit.
CO2 is still rising.
It's slow going.
My vision is beginning… It's beginning to warp.
Listen to me. You have to get to the lander.
Every second will count, Anastasia.
We must restore the operation of the CO2 scrubber now
or she will lose consciousness.
The scrubber must be defective. There's nothing we can do from down here.
Well, maybe if Zvezda did a better job of constructing their space suit.
That's really helpful, Viktor. Thank you so much for that.
What's the current CO2 level?
Chief Designer?
13% and rising.
Have we tried cycling the ventilation loop valve?
Yes, it didn't help. The vent fan's malfunctioned.
Does she have time to get back in the lander and repressurize?
At the current rate of exertion, she will lose consciousness in a minute.
How do we reduce the CO2 level?
It's getting harder to move.
How do we reduce the CO2 levels?
I said, "How do we reduce the CO2?"
Yes?
If she were to puncture her suit…
- What? Puncture her suit? - Let him speak.
The pressure in the suit will drop dangerously low,
- but the CO2 would be able to escape. - She could suffocate.
If she doesn't go unconscious first.
How long would she have before she passes out?
Maybe two minutes?
To get inside, close the hatch
and repressurize before losing consciousness.
What's your name?
Sergei Nikulov.
Raise Luna 16. We'll go with Sergei Nikulov's solution.
Luna 16, Star City. Do you read?
Puncture the suit?
How?
There's an S-band antenna on the exterior of the lander
next to the hatch.
Use it to puncture the suit in the left arm
next to the release valve.
Be careful.
The hole can't be any more than four millimeters.
This is insane, Chief Designer.
Her suit pressure's gonna plummet. She'll be in a vacuum within minutes.
It's the only way,
otherwise that scrubber's gonna continue filling the suit with carbon dioxide.
She can patch it up when she's back on the lander.
I will not fail you, Chief Designer.
I know, my eagle. I know.
Anastasia? Anastasia, are you okay?
Venting from the puncture made me lose my grip.
The tether held. I'm climbing back.
I'm back at the ship. I'm gonna try and keep going.
Anastasia, you don't have time to keep reattaching the tether.
Just lose it.
Don't waste a moment. Go, go, go.
Come on, Anastasia. Come on, come on.
I'm 15 meters from the lander's hatch.
You have to go now or you won't make it.
Yes.
Can you look at me?
This is Comrade Morozova.
She says there has been a mistake.
That you are not a spy.
That your brother, in fact, died when he was only a year old.
Is this information correct?
You can answer me.
I tried to tell them.
Over and over and over.
And they said I was lying.
The more I said it, the more they beat me.
I just wanted it to end.
And if I were to order your release…
I would return to my training.
And I would do what is…
whatever is best for the space program.
Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
You have shown promise tonight, comrade.
Promise beyond your training.
You may have a bright future at Star City.
But first you must show me
that you are capable of completing the task.
I don't understand.
No. Please.
- I won't say anything to anyone… - Shoot her.
…I promise. I won't say anything to anyone, please.
- Why? She hasn't done anything wrong? - I won't, please. No.
- I won't say anything, please. - We do not arrest the innocent, comrade.
I won't, please.
- Our power depends on it. - I won't say anything to anyone.
Please, I'm not going to say anything.
- I can't. - I don't want to die. No, no.
- I just want to go back to work. - I can't.
I just want to go to work. I just want to…
Please, no. No, no.
Please, don't do this, please. I'm not going to…
Thank you. Thank you so much.
I just want to fly, that is all I ever--
Comrade Belikova.
You must set up your camera exactly 20 meters in front of the LK Lander.
Make sure the Soviet flag is properly positioned three meters to the right.
We'll begin your broadcast in 90 seconds.
Comrade Belikova, do you copy?
I am one woman,
but I take this step for every woman of the Soviet Union.
I take this step for all those who have dedicated their lives
to the Marxist-Leninist way of life.
Who've sacri… ficed…
…their…
S…
Standing here…
looking at this beautiful new world…
I'm aware…
that I am here because of those who have come before me.
Filosofova.
Tereshkova.
Yana Akhmatova.
Brilliant, fierce patriots.
They are the best of us.
This moment…
- This moment is for them. - Make it stop.
- Turn off the sound. - We must remember them.
Now!
We must remember what they di--
It seems that we have lost the sound connection
from the feed at Fra Mauro.
But as you can see, cosmonaut Anastasia Belikova
is still addressing the Soviet Union during this historic event.
She hoped to stay up for the landing, but was too tired.
Thank you.
- As the first woman on the moon… - See you tomorrow.
…she is an inspiration to us all.
Millions of citizens from countries around the world
are currently watching this broadcast.
And are witnessing what is possible for those who,
in the words of cosmonaut Belikova,
have "dedicated themselves to the Marxist-Leninist way of life."
Inspiring words.