In the series premiere, seven women are transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty as they prepare for the mission of a lifetime when NASA chooses their husbands, talented test pilots from around the country, to be the first Americans in space! These women who once were strangers rally around their husbands and their country.
As Louise and Alan Shepard bask in the success of his mission, Betty Grissom preps for Gus' launch and turns to Louise for advice. And Annie Glenn grapples with her stutter, anticipating that the press will want to hear from her after John's orbit is completed.
It's Scott Carpenter's turn to go up, and as the world, and the Astronaut Wives, ready themselves for his launch, Rene receives the opportunity to tell her own story, in her own words, in LIFE Magazine.
While the Cold War intensifies and the Cuban Missile Crisis comes to a head, the Mercury 7 families begin glamorous new lives in Houston. But Houston also marks the start of the Gemini Project, and with it, the arrival of the Gemini wives, which changes the dynamic among all the women. Marge and Deke embrace new roles after learning about Deke's permanent status, and Trudy and Gordo's personal "cold war" begins to thaw.
As the struggle for Civil Rights upends the nation, the Astrowives fight their own battles in their marriages and the world at large. Trudy learns of attempts to quash a budding astronaut training program for women, and John Glenn considers a run for public office.
Astronaut John Glenn has his sights set on a political career and hits the campaign trail with wife Annie and Rene Carpenter by his side as he runs for the Ohio senate, while Alan Shepherd quietly grapples with a personal matter that could ground his career forever. Meanwhile, Betty Grissom receives an unsettling letter regarding Gus that challenges their marriage.
JoAnna Garcia Swisher
Betty Grissom
Yvonne Strahovski
Rene Carpenter
Dominique McElligott
Louise Shepard
Odette Annable
Trudy Cooper
Erin Cummings
Marge Slayton