As NASA prepared astronauts for its second mission into space, National Geographic had exclusive behind-the-scenes access for the intense and out-of-this-world training these pioneers underwent.

KANSAS CITY, Mo. (KCTV) - Oct. 4, 1957, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1 into space, simultaneously launching the USSR and the United States into a space race.

"What made the Space Race possible? What made it necessary? How close a race was it? And what did it achieve? The answers are connected in surprising ways. Left Brains for the Right Stuff briefly ...