On the Threshold of Space story
The United States Air Force conducts risky high altitude parachute jumps as a prelude to venturing into outer space.
10 total · 5 major · 5 minor
| Theme | Level | Motivation |
|---|---|---|
| husband and wife | major | Jim Hollenbeck and Pat Lange. |
| risk taking in the advancement of science and technology | major | Should Air Force pilots be used as guinea pigs for high altitude parachute jumps in the name of paving the way for people to go into outer space? |
| romantic love | major | Jim Hollenbeck and Pat Lange. |
| sub-orbital spaceflight | major | The film was building up to Jim Hollenbeck being sent to the edge of outer space to perform a high altitude parachute jump. |
| unethical human experimentation | major | Should Air Force pilots be used as guinea pigs for high altitude parachute jumps in the name of paving the way for people to go into outer space? |
| coping with a loved one being in peril | minor | Pat Lange had to sit idly by while her husband Jim Hollenbeck took extremely risky high altitude parachute jumps. |
| engaged couple | minor | Jim Hollenbeck and Pat Lange. |
| love vs. career | minor | Jim Hollenbeck had to choose between staying in the Air Force to be part of the space program or be with Pat Lange. |
| space station | minor | A plan was hashed to construct a platform in the extreme upper atmosphere on the margin of outer space from which Air Force pilots would make high altitude parachute jumps. |
| the need for adventure | minor | Jim Hollenbeck and Pat Lange discussed whether he was taking risks in doing high altitude jumps for his job or whether he was really motivated by a need to explore and find adventure. |