| UPPERATMOSPHERE | Layer in which space stations orbit Earth, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| OHIO | Home of the first man to walk on the moon, the first American to orbit Earth and the first American woman to walk in space |
| INANE | Senseless way in which space and time end |
| ELLIPSE | Space Station's orbit |
| UVEA | Eye layer in which the iris is situated |
| TOPSOIL | Surface layer in which plants, trees grow (7) |
| LETTEROPENERS | Envelope-slicing tools, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| BEARHUGS | Tight embraces, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| CHEESEFILLING | Ravioli option, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| DRESSINGDOWN | Severe scolding, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have? |
| HUMBLEBEGINNINGS | Part of a rags-to-riches story, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have |
| GETAFTERIT | "Seize the day!," and what the answers to the starred clues literally have |
| UPSTARTS | Social climbers, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have |
| ANIMALRIGHTS | Anti-cruelty movement, and what the answers to the starred clues literally have |
| FOLLOWINGORDERS | Doing as told, in the military ... or what the starts of the answers to starred clues can literally have? |
| HOLDTHATTHOUGHT | "Remember what you were about to say," and what the answers to the starred clues literally do |
| PINHEADS | Ninnies, and what the first words of the answers to the starred clues literally are |
| BREAKASTORY | What an investigative journalist might do, and what the answers to the starred clues literally do |
| COATTAILS | Features of some formal jackets, and what the ends of the answers to the starred clues literally are |
| FILLONESSHOES | Step in for another, and what the answers to the starred clues literally do |
