Man Conquers Space is now designed as a theatrically released feature film, chronicling the major space exploration and exploitation events of the 20th and early 21st century in an alternative history timeline.

The release date of Man Conquers Space is yet to be announced.

 

After the secret birth of the Space Age during the tumultuous and confusing latter years of the Second World War, many countries recognise the importance of dominating the high ground of space.

To this end, the United States government under President Truman commits to founding the National Council of Astronautics. Its role is to administer research, development and operations of spacefaring activities. The US Army also spawns the US Air Force and the US Space Force - responsible for military operations in air and space respectively.

Using scientists and technicians from not only the US' own space program but personnel captured in Germany at the end of the War, a vast NCA team is established to turn dreams into reality. By 1956, the Mk I Ferry Rocket is operational, providing reliable and reusable access to low and high Earth orbit. By 1960, Wheel Space Station I is operational, providing an orbital platform for further construction and development, while being home for 45 permanent crew.

Eyeing continuing developments in the USSR, the US decide to land a man on the Moon as soon as they can. By 1962 they are ready, but send The Columbiad first - an orbiting observation platform designed to pinpoint potential landing sites.

It is said that it was a single photograph taken by one of Columbiad's crew during Christmas 1961 that changed the course of history. Showing the Earth from the perspective of the Moon changed the mind of the commander of Eagle One from claiming the Moon in the name of the United States (as required by his military commanders) to claiming the Moon for all mankind. After Eagle One's touchdown in July 1963, followed closely by Eagles Two and Three, the Moon becomes a new and vigorous outpost of humanity. Successive missions range far and wide over Earth's satellite, discovering sites that in the decades to come would become bases, sources for mining resources, and even a large colony.

With continued lunar operations, the eyes of the NCA turn to Mars. After extensive reworking of lunar hardware designs, a team of landers and orbiters set out in the direction of the red planet. This dangerous mission is successfully performed, with Team One landing a vast winged glider on the smooth ice of the Martian North Pole. Trekking over land, they journey for months to the equator, where they clear a landing strip for two subsequent landers. With various personnel safely on the Martian surface, various scientific teams range over the varied surface and subsurface, exploring the planet.

Meanwhile, plans are drawn for commercial exploitation of space - from tourism and travel to power supply and manufacture.

Developing more efficient and powerful forms of propulsion revolutionises space transportation systems, with the result that a series of manned missions to Jupiter and its moons is planned, plus with resultant reduced transit time, travel to Mars becomes a more viable option for not just the scientific community, but a new brand of colonists as well...