The Astronaut Wives Club

2015 • ABC
4.6
99 reviews
TV-PG
Rating
Eligible
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Season 1 episodes (10)

1 Launch
6/18/15
In the series premiere, seven women are transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty as they prepare for the mission of a lifetime when NASA chooses their husbands, talented test pilots from around the country, to be the first Americans in space! These women who once were strangers rally around their husbands and their country.
2 Protocol
6/25/15
As Louise and Alan Shepard bask in the success of his mission, Betty Grissom preps for Gus' launch and turns to Louise for advice. And Annie Glenn grapples with her stutter, anticipating that the press will want to hear from her after John's orbit is completed.
3 Retroattitude
7/2/15
It's Scott Carpenter's turn to go up, and as the world, and the Astronaut Wives, ready themselves for his launch, Rene receives the opportunity to tell her own story, in her own words, in LIFE Magazine.
4 Liftoff
7/9/15
While the Cold War intensifies and the Cuban Missile Crisis comes to a head, the Mercury 7 families begin glamorous new lives in Houston. But Houston also marks the start of the Gemini Project, and with it, the arrival of the Gemini wives, which changes the dynamic among all the women. Marge and Deke embrace new roles after learning about Deke's permanent status, and Trudy and Gordo's personal "cold war" begins to thaw.
5 Flashpoint
7/16/15
As the struggle for Civil Rights upends the nation, the Astrowives fight their own battles in their marriages and the world at large. Trudy learns of attempts to quash a budding astronaut training program for women, and John Glenn considers a run for public office.
6 In The Blind
7/23/15
Astronaut John Glenn has his sights set on a political career and hits the campaign trail with wife Annie and Rene Carpenter by his side as he runs for the Ohio senate, while Alan Shepherd quietly grapples with a personal matter that could ground his career forever. Meanwhile, Betty Grissom receives an unsettling letter regarding Gus that challenges their marriage.
7 Rendezvous
7/30/15
As the Gemini missions are being successfully launched and the Apollo program kicks into high gear, the pressure on the wives grows exponentially. Gemini wife Marilyn Lovell hides an unexpected pregnancy and other wives face an even greater challenge, becoming the first space widows.
8 Abort
8/6/15
Betty Grissom faces the grim reality that her husband, Gus, is gone. With Gus having died while preparing for a NASA mission, Betty must move forward planning his funeral and a life without him. After receiving word that Gus' death may have been preventable, Betty is determined to get answers in Gus' death and embarks on a battle for justice.
9 The Dark Side
8/13/15
As the country seems to spiral out of control, the wives struggle to find their place in the new world order. Wally's career at NASA ends, and Jo must redefine her role and priorities. Louise wrestles with the fear of losing her husband as Alan considers undergoing risky surgery that will determine his future.
10 Landing
8/20/15
It's 1969, and Apollo 11's historic moon landing is cause for worldwide celebration and a high point for the Astro-families. The wives are interviewed for a TV documentary on the space program, Gordo is passed over for the next mission, and Trudy faces some big decisions about her personal and professional future. Betty finds a powerful way to honor Gus's legacy and advocate for change.

About this show

A new television drama series based on the book by Lily Koppel, The Astronaut Wives Club focuses on seven women who were key players behind some of the biggest events in American history. As America’s astronauts were launched on death-defying missions, the lives of their young wives were transformed, seemingly overnight, from military spouses to American royalty. As their celebrity rose, and tragedy began to touch their lives, they rallied together.

Ratings and reviews

4.6
99 reviews
Sarah C
October 11, 2015
I loved the clothing, cars, & aesthetic of the show! It may have been sensationalized from reality; but that's Hollywood, so you have to take it for what it is. But it also addresses the reality of the men that we grew up knowing of only one side of; they truly were womanizers with groupies because they were, indeed, celebrities in their own right. It also highlighted the role of the female & wife demonstrating the evolution of their roles & progression of their individual selves while in the space race.
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Sam Ponjican
June 27, 2015
Unimaginably, ABC figured out a way to make a show about space unwatchable. They achieved this feat by basically using the script from The Bachelor and making all the astronauts wives out to be petty and foolish.
2 people found this review helpful
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Oliviah Reisert
July 17, 2015
It is a wonderful story that helps show us a new perspective. It reminds us that although they accomplished the seemingly impossible it was not easy. The amazing feats put a huge strain on the astronauts and their families. Something that I have never really thought about until now.
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