Born of the Cold War, NASA moves stridently from disastrous rocket tests to the glorious conclusion of the Gemini Program. We experience the massive challenges of sending a man into space and how, despite many setbacks, the astronauts proved that the key element would be human resourcefulness - in space as well as on the ground. NASA veterans describe these early missions as the hardest of all - the first, uncertain steps towards a new frontier. Building on the success of the pioneering Mercury Program, Project Gemini gives NASA the experience and confidence to take the next giant leap - to land men on the Moon. Part 1 of 4.—pbsamerica