To The Moon and Back

Laila Warner, a 9-year-old space mad girl is desperate to be an astronaut, ever since the first word she spoke was MOON. She lives with her dad Mitchell (Mitch) Warner, who works long hours as a successful engineer. On Laila’s 14th birthday, she is told that she going to be the youngest human in space for a 15-day mission to the International Space Station 400 km in space, but only if she passes the NASA exams, interview, medical and completes an intensive training program. Laila is introduced to astronauts, Neil Armstrong, and Sandra DeSouza, but Sandra takes an instant dislike to Laila. First on the training is the High G Training and Test Facility. Impressing the staff, she outlasted most fighter pilots. The only person not impressed is Sandra and she continues to make snide remarks. Next up is the Mobile Servicing System operating the robotic arms. Sandra through overconfidence crashes the capsule into the ISS blaming Laila and continuing her hostility towards her. Finally, it is the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. Laila fears water from an incident when she was young, but Neil helps with her confidence and she is soon enjoying the experience. Later, Mitch tells her how proud he is of his daughter, passing all of her training. Three female commentators from NASA and SpaceX take the audience through the pre-launch and launch procedure. At launch pad 39A the NASA and SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket and Dragon capsule are waiting for lift-off. Neil is the mission commander, Sandra is the pilot, and Laila is an observer. Laila's dad watches anxiously from the viewing platform as the launch goes smoothly, hours later. Docking with the ISS, they greet the two cosmonauts on board, Dima Petrenko and Alexandr Ivanov. After familiarisation with the space station for Laila, they are introduced to an ever-hungry Jonnie, the second cat in space. Laila has a reflective moment with Neil and Jonnie missing her mum, trying to understand why Sandra doesn't like her. During food together, the 15-day mission itinerary is discussed in detail. They see the cosmonauts off home the next day and continue with the daily activities on the ISS. On day 12, Houston warns Neil of an ammonia leak concern and to prepare for an EVA to repair the fault. Whilst on a spacewalk, a constellation of CubeSats that have gone rogue are on a collision course towards the ISS. The CubeSats pummel and tear into the space station but Neil is hit, seriously injuring him. Sandra goes on a rescue EVA to get him, whilst the CubeSats destroy the space station. Laila guides the robotic arm and Sandra takes Neil into the airlock but not before her suit is punctured by one of the CubeSats causing rapid oxygen decompression. They take Neil to the Columbus module to treat his life-threatening injuries. Escaping the doomed space station, taking Neil to the Soyuz capsule, disaster strikes, and Sandra is blinded by ammonia. Now a rescue mission, Laila takes Neil and Sandra to the Soyuz capsule securing them inside. They should get out of there right now, but what about Jonnie, he is part of the crew. All for one. She battles through the destruction and finds a terrified Jonnie. Placing him in a space helmet, she fights back to the Soyuz capsule, and now all inside, they undock but not before the Soyuz module is damaged by debris from the exploding space station. With the two astronauts out of action, it is down to Laila to guide them home. Due to a malfunction during the Soyuz module separation, the capsule is pushed into a spin threatening to miss the re-entry window. Laila fights for control of the Soyuz capsule and eventually wins the battle. Parachutes open, and they slam into the Kazakhstan desert. The parachute is still attached, and they are being dragged towards the edge of a ravine and to certain death. Fighting to release the parachute finally disengages, and the capsule grinds to a halt right on the cliff edge. The rescue crew arrives but Neil is not in a good way and Sandra still cannot see. In the rescue vehicle, Sandra apologises and makes her peace with Laila. Later, Laila is hosting a new academy for young aspiring astronauts with Neil and Sandra there too. When she has finished, Laila meets Annie, her mirror image and another enthusiastic space nerd. Has she met her match? Bring it on!