On July 20, 1969, as a worldwide television audience of 500 millionwatched, Neil Armstrong became the first man to step foot on the Moon. Nearly a half-century later, Armstrong's words still resonate:"That'sone small step for man, one giant leap for mankind."The historic SpaceRace began with the Soviet Union launching the world's first orbitingsatellite, Sputnik, on October 4, 1957 and ended with the successfulApollo 11 mission. While the Space Race is commonly remembered as a timeof innovation and technological advances, powerful, yet oftenoverlooked forces, were at play. Politics and money were among the primecatalysts of space exploration.While history was being made and newheroes were discovered, the aerospace industry reaped enormous profitsand political careers blossomed."The Eagle Has Landed: The Story ofApollo 11"chronicles the triumphs and tragedies of America's quest toland on the Moon, beginning with the stories of the visionaries who madespace exploration a reality.It is remarkable story of politicalgamesmanship, innovation, perseverance, and courage.