The Astronaut (1972)

Name: The Astronaut
Genre: Drama, Science Fiction
Released: 1972-01-08

1h 13m

Running Time

January 8, 1972
Release Date

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Plot.

An elaborate deception emerges when an American astronaut is lost on a mission to Mars. Space agency officials fearful of losing public support and government funding decide to cover up the accident by employing an exact double for the lost astronaut. The ruse begins to unravel when the wife of the lost astronaut realizes she is living with a different man. Although angered by the deception, the woman has fallen in love with the replacement and plans to keep the secret. They both have a change of heart and decide to reveal the secret when they discover a new Mars mission is underway.

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Media.

Details.

Release Date
January 8, 1972

Status
Released

Running Time
1h 13m

Content Rating
NR

Genres
Drama Science Fiction

Last updated: 2025-02-10

This Movie Is About.

mars

nasa

space travel

space mission

cover-up

impostor

astronaut

doppelgänger

Wiki.

The Astronaut is a 1972 American made-for-television science fiction film directed by Robert Michael Lewis and starring Jackie Cooper and Monte Markham. It follows a man who has been hired to impersonate an astronaut who died during the first crewed mission to Mars. The movie was made for ABC for its movie of the week franchise. Real-life astronaut Wally Schirra appears in a cameo role as himself.