The Astronaut

The Astronaut

73 mins | Drama, Science Fiction, TV Movie | Jan. 8, 1972

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.

The Astronaut

73 mins | Drama, Science Fiction, TV Movie | Jan. 8, 1972

The Astronaut
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.
IMDb rating 6.5
Producers Universal Television
Original title The Astronaut
Directors Robert Saunders, Robert Michael Lewis
Writers Charles Kuenstle, Robert Biheller, Gerald Di Pego

Cast

Jackie Cooper

as Kurt Anderson

Monte Markham

as Eddie Reese / Col. Brice Randolph

Richard Anderson

as Dr. Wylie

Robert Lansing

as John Phillips

Susan Clark

as Gail Randolph

John Lupton

as Don Masters

Walter Brooke

as Tom Everett

James B. Sikking

as Astronaut Higgins

Paul Kent

as Carl Samuels

Loretta Leversee

as Toni Scott

Ray Dimas

as Freddie

Patsy Garrett

as Boy's Mother

Tom Hallick

as Agent Wilson

John S. Ragin

as Walters

Paul Micale

as Beachgoer

Richard Stahl

as Fred, Beachgoer's Friend

Bob Harks

as Photographer (uncredited)