In a small coal mining town in West Virginia during the 1950s, a young boy named Homer Hickam is inspired by the launch of Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite, to dream beyond his predetermined path in the coal mines. Despite his father's expectation that he will follow in his footsteps as a miner, Homer's fascination with rocketry ignites a new aspiration—to become a rocket scientist. With limited resources and no support from his father, Homer begins experimenting with building rockets, facing numerous failures and skepticism from his community. His passion for science and desperation to escape a coal miner's fate drive him to pursue something greater than what his town has to offer.

Encouraged by his teacher, Miss Riley, Homer and a group of friends with a shared interest in rocketry embark on a journey of trial, error, and determination. They form a club dedicated to building and launching their own rockets. Despite the town's initial mockery, their endeavors start to capture the community's interest, as they gradually improve their designs and launch more successful rockets. However, the path to realizing their dreams is fraught with challenges, including safety concerns, financial shortages, and the looming expectation for Homer to conform to the life his father has laid out for him. As the boys continue their pursuit, they learn valuable lessons about perseverance, friendship, and the importance of pursuing one's dreams, no matter the odds against them.