1969, Shepard is named Mission Commander of the Apollo-Saturn 14 scheduled to make the third landing on the Moon. Meanwhile, Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins make the first lunar landing, followed by that of Conrad, Gordon and Bean. To prepare, Shepard and his crew train at the Space Environment Simulation Laboratory and on the terrain of volcanoes in Mexico and Hawaii. They practice in the Lunar Module Mockup, perform in a weightless condition in an aircraft, and fly the Lunar Landing Test Vehicle. Shepard and his crew enjoy a traditional breakfast with other astronauts before suiting up.
Comic moments ease tensions as the countdown proceeds.
Its small jets guide it to a safe touchdown. As Shepard steps from the spacecraft, he becomes the fifth man to walk on the Moon. He and Mitchell implant the American flag and pose for pictures for each other. Then they erect the communications and test equipment, use the Mobile Equipment Transporter and gather 96 pounds of lunar rocks, all recorded by color television. After spending 33 hours on the lunar surface, Shepard and Mitchell reseal themselves in the Lunar Module.