{"product_id":"0783421424593","title":"NOVA: Astrospies","description":"It represents a dark and all but unsung side of U.S. history: though millions are familiar with the 1950s \"Space Race\" that pitted the United States and the Soviet Union against one another in the contest to put a man on the moon, less publicized were the countries' attempts to spy on one another by launching military- trained astronauts (known as \"astrospies\") into orbit. The United States built and launched a covert satellite known as MOL (for Manned Orbiting Laboratory), designed for advanced espionage and piloted by the astrospies; it incorporated a super-powered telescope capable of viewing and identifying an object as small as three inches. The Soviets, in turn, devised a station called Almaz, with like capabilities - but theirs traveled a \"step beyond,\" by including a cannon designed to attack occupants of MOL. For decades, this history retained a 'covert' status and went largely unacknowledged among the general public; the PBS documentary NOVA: Astrospies represents the first attempt to tell the full story of these events. It features extended interviews with the participants of the original missions, a \"mock-up\" of MOL, a detailed exploration and discussion of the men's training, and much more.","brand":"PUBLIC MEDIA DISTRIBUTION","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47088354394352,"sku":"0783421424593","price":19.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0737\/7593\/9824\/files\/0783421424593_p0.jpg?v=1763861593","url":"https:\/\/shop-qa.barnesandnoble.com\/products\/0783421424593","provider":"Barnes \u0026 Noble (DEV)","version":"1.0","type":"link"}