In 1967 Soyuz 1 left the earth to test the viability of space exploration, the Soviet Union was desperate for a giant leap forward in the space race. What was meant to be a mission of national pride, turned into an exercise in covering up mistakes at the highest level. Commander Chertok struggles to keep control of one of the most ambitious missions undertaken in the 20th century, keeping his superiors happy and keeping his cosmonaut alive.