Chapter One, Light in the Darkness Summary and Analysis

Astronaut Ed Mitchell is returning home from the moon with a cache of moon rocks and soil. On their two day trip home from the moon, Mitchell has an overwhelming sense of connection with the universe that transcends time and space. Commander Alan Shepard and fellow astronaut Stu Roosa, do not seem to have the same experiences as they go about business as usual. Mitchell, at 41, is one of NASA's senior astronauts. His education at MIT as a PhD in astrophysics and credentials as a test pilot make him a standout among his peers. Mitchell has been working with Dr. Joseph Rhine, a biologist who conducts tests in extrasensory perception. After the other two astronauts are asleep, Mitchell concentrates on transmitting his choices of Dr. Rhine's symbols—square, circle, cross...