In order to protect the reputation of the American space program, a team of NASA administrators turn the first Mars mission into a phony Mars landing. Under threat of harm to their families the astronauts play their part in the deception on a staged set in a deserted military base. But once the real ship returns to Earth and burns up on re-entry, the astronauts become liabilities. Now, with the help of a crusading reporter, they must battle a sinister conspiracy that will stop at nothing to keep the truth hidden.
Elliott Gould
as Robert Caulfield
James Brolin
as Col. Charles Brubaker
Brenda Vaccaro
as Kay Brubaker
Sam Waterston
as Lt. Col. Peter Willis
O.J. Simpson
as Cmdr. John Walker
Hal Holbrook
as Dr. James Kelloway
Karen Black
as Judy Drinkwater
Telly Savalas
as Albain
David Huddleston
as Hollis Peaker
David Doyle
as Walter Loughlin
Lee Bryant
as Sharon Willis
Denise Nicholas
as Betty Walker