Tip:
Highlight text to annotate it
X
In position, Captain.
IGR one-four-zero, two-eight-eight.
Right, take her up eight fathoms.
Prepare surface stations.
- Load tanks one through six.
- Yes, sir.
Steady at eight fathoms, sir.
Right.
Nothing in sight, prepare to surface.
Surface stations.
Maintain visual and radar.
Watch for surface vessels.
Where are we, Lieutenant?
Uh, right here, Captain.
Fine.
Well, we've made good time.
Hover cruise at 20 knots,
steer a course one-two-six.
Steer one-two-six, speed 20 knots.
Tracking aerial set up, sir.
Skydiver to Control.
We have surfaced.
'In position to check the satellite.
'
Roger, Skydiver.
- What's happening, Captain?
- I think it's pretty important.
Commander Straker's
playing this one close to his chest.
- There's the signal.
- Looks good.
(Bleeping)
I have a radar sighting,
bearing two-seven-nine.
It's a freighter.
Take her down.
Yes, sir.
Dive, dive, dive.
- Skydiver to SHADO Control.
- SHADO Control.
'We had to crash dive
to avoid a surface vessel.
'
- What was it?
- A freighter.
I'm sure they didn't see us.
We managed to pick up the satellite.
- Its orbit looked good.
- Thank you, I'll tell the Commander.
- (Freeman) How far is it now?
- Around eight miles.
Do you think it'll work?
I think so.
But then I always was a
an eternal optimist.
Four minutes, Doctor.
Right.
Check area latitude.
Ten seconds
to transmission check, sir.
(Clicking)
There it is.
Smack on the nose.
The first transmissions
are coming through, sir.
Signal strength zero-one-two,
one-four-seven.
- What's the distortion?
- Minimal.
Decimal-zero-seven-two.
Fine.
Keep tracking.
(Clicks)
I think Dr Young was a little put out
at not being able to see the results.
Yes, security's a word
I don't like to throw at a man
who goes out of his way to cooperate.
Maybe we can send him some prints.
Let's see if there's anything
on the tape to print.
- All set up, Ford?
- Yes, sir.
(Straker) Look at that.
Look at that detail.
That's taken
from nearly 500 miles out!
(Straker) Fantastic quality.
It's fantastic.
A real breakthrough.
See this one? Range 490 miles,
magnification times 250.
It's like a helicopter shot.
I'm convinced.
We'll throw everything
into getting this project approved.
- How's it going, Kelly?
- Pretty well, Commander.
The test run was so successful there
are very few modifications needed.
It's quite a set-up.
When can I tell the Commission
we'll be ready to go?
Three, four weeks, we just
have to check the link systems.
That's what I wanted to hear.
Oh, Commander?
Could I have a word with you?
- Do you mind, John?
- No, not at all.
Well, what's on your mind?
Tomorrow you're asking the Commission
for a billion dollars.
For one of the most important
projects we've undertaken.
Sure.
It's the first item
on the agenda.
There are 53 others.
Mine's number 52, it comes after
what we spend on new coffee machines.
All I want is $50,000
and the chances are I won't get it.
I can't help you.
I think my project's important, sir.
You could help.
Wait a minute.
You've done a great
job on the device, but your group
Group? There are just two of us,
Commander.
But with that $50,000, we could
complete the stereo-scan development.
I'd like to help, but I think you're
looking the wrong way, Kelly.
Space.
That's where
you should turn your talent.
- Well, I hope you get your billion.
- Oh, I'll get it.
It's a space project.
All very pretty!
But don't pull a bulldozer job
in here, Straker.
I won't have to.
Nice to see you again.
(Gavel bangs)
Gentlemen.
The financial committee of the Astro
Space Commission is in session.
You all know Commander Straker.
And by the billion-dollar cost
estimate beside it,
you will have realised that the first
project on the agenda is his.
Thank you, General.
Now, gentlemen, this drawing shows a
standard B-one-four-two space probe.
The project will use a modified
version of this spacecraft.
I'd like you to notice
the domed structure here.
From this cross-section,
you'll see that it incorporates
a device which, in layman's terms,
can best be described
as an electronic telescope.
The principle is very simple.
It is a telescope which,
instead of using light,
operates with a stream of electrons.
And it's capable of scanning with
a magnification of up to times 2,500.
Lieutenant Masters.
These shots of the earth
were taken from an orbit
between 450 and 500 miles out.
The electron telescope scans an area,
radioes the information to earth
and the impulses are transmitted
into these pictures.
As you can see, the definition
is as good as any photograph.
The homing mechanisms are also very
elaborate but they're fully tested
and will enable the probe
to home in on the planet
from two million miles out.
I'm sorry to disillusion you,
Straker,
but I can get great shots of earth
with a $2 camera from a balloon.
Yes, I should have been
more explicit, General.
By "the planet", I didn't mean earth.
The purpose of the project,
gentlemen,
is to enable a probe to track
and follow a UFO to its origin.
To home in and get high definition
close-ups of the alien planet.
My project is to launch
a standard or a modified
B-one-four-two space probe
and place it into a parking orbit
around the moon.
- SHADO don't have those facilities.
- No.
We would have to use NASA
for the launch.
The telescope and electronics
are still on the secret list,
so they would have to be
fitted by astronauts
after the probe
had been placed in orbit.
Well?
Find Foster and bring him
to my office, Alec.
Well? Did they approve it?
We've got ourselves a deal.
We even got a time slot from NASA.
Launch seven-one-two
in four weeks' time.
- (Freeman) That's great.
- Yes.
We could be a lot closer
to some of the answers.
- Well, there she is, ready to go.
- Yeah.
You know, I've learned a lot
in these last weeks.
- Have you got a pen?
- Hmm? Mm-hmm.
I thought I'd just
write out the cheque for 50,000.
That's all right.
I can cash in
some of the family jewels.
Anyway, there's always next year
or the year after.
She's all yours, Lieutenant.
I hope it gets you those shots.
I'll see you around.
(PA) 'Will Lieutenant Masters report
for pre-lunar medical right away.
'
- Long day?
- Long month.
Well, I think we're set.
Listen, I'm thinking of taking
Keith Ford with me to Moonbase.
Good idea.
You're gonna need
all the help you can get.
You'd better keep all earth-lunar
communication to a minimum.
Sure.
What's the situation on the launch?
The launch?
Well, I think we can safely
leave that with NASA.
Give me a read-out
on the master computer.
Electronic read-out, A-OK.
Countdown continues at T minus four
hours, 32 minutes, eight seconds.
Missile power
Go.
Water system
Go.
Fuel system
Go.
Telemetry
Go.
T minus three minutes.
We have green on all read-outs.
T minus 60 seconds.
'29 28 27 '
We have go for ignition
at minus 12
'24 23 22 21 '
'18 17 '
Main stage ignition.
'15 14 13
'12 11 10
'9 8
'7 6 5
'4 3 2 1
'Zero.
'
- We have liftoff.
- 'We have liftoff.
'
T plus 55.
T plus 60.
T plus 65.
She looks good.
NASA reports the launch is
successful.
Right.
Moonbase Control to Lunar Module.
Switch to automatic LLS,
we'll bring you in by radio beam.
- Touchdown minus 20 seconds.
- Right.
- Welcome to Moonbase, Commander.
- Thank you.
- I'll show you to your quarters.
- You two go along.
Paul, let's go to Control.
I want
to check on that space probe report.
- Hello, Commander.
- Lieutenant.
Nina.
Joan.
- How was the flight?
- Very smooth, thanks.
- How's everything here?
- Fine.
Do you have the space probe report?
Oh, good.
Apogee zero-decimal-one-two-four
below requirement,
but we can easily correct it.
I've worked out a rough schedule
for the astronauts.
We understand the probe
is to be modified in space.
This is great.
We'll have to go through it
together of course.
I did say it was
a rough schedule, sir.
Excuse me, sir.
(Straker) Because of
the radio-security clampdown,
no one on Moonbase knows
the purpose of Project Discovery -
as it has been code-named.
But I do know how hard
some of you have worked on it.
As you know, a modified
B-one-four-two space probe
has been placed
into a parking orbit around the moon.
The first phase is to fit
specialised equipment into the probe.
This equipment has already been
shipped to Moonbase from earth.
Phase two is to manoeuvre
a UFO into a position
where the probe can be activated
into a flight pattern
which will enable it to follow
the alien back to its origin.
'When the probe gets within
two million miles of its target,
'it will start to transmit.
'
With luck, we should get the first
close-up shots of another world.
It will be our first step in bringing
the fight back to the alien planet.
Thank you.
- An exciting situation, Lieutenant.
- Yes, it is.
You'd better set things up quickly.
Right.
Who's going out on the probe?
Colonel Foster
and Lieutenant Masters.
Moonbase Control to Lunar Module.
Your flight pattern is
go for rendezvous.
(Foster)
'Right, confirm one-decimal-four.
'
Zero-two-two-four-one-seven.
'Roger, Control.
We have visual contact.
'We're in position.
Onboard computer
reads go for space-walk.
'
We have green on all systems.
Moonbase Control to Lunar Module.
Confirm go for space-walk.
(Masters) 'Safety lines checked.
'Send up a camera on my signal.
'
'Advance aboard satellite.
Condition green.
'Stage one completed.
'
Control to space team.
Roger.
Great work, Paul.
Pass
my congratulations on to your team.
I've asked you all here
to explain the next and most vital
phase of the operation.
The space probe is in orbit,
the equipment has been installed
and fully tested.
Lieutenant Ellis.
The problem is to force a UFO
into an orbit complementary
to the space probe's.
Then we can activate the tracking
systems on the B-one-four-two
and enable it to latch on to the UFO.
This will involve scheduling
the Interceptors very precisely.
We've made a computer study
of UFO approaches,
and the general pattern is marked,
as you can see.
Lieutenant Ellis has compiled
an Interceptor schedule.
But a lot of decisions
will have to be made on the spot.
- So we have to play this one by ear?
- Right.
- Isn't that dangerous?
- It involves a certain risk.
A calculated risk,
based on a careful weighing
of human factors as much as logic.
All we have to do now
is wait for a UFO.
(SID) 'Red alert.
UFO bearing one-four-two, blue.
'UFO maintaining course.
'
(Barry) 'This is Control.
I have a red alert.
'I repeat, a red alert.
'
Have UFO on positive track -
one-four-two, blue.
'Speed SOL eight-decimal-three-five.
'
One-four-zero, one-three-nine.
SID has just confirmed.
It's coming
in on the predicted flight path.
Good.
She's all yours, Lieutenant.
(Ellis) 'Control to Interceptors.
'
Immediate launch.
Repeat, immediate launch.
Right, let's go.
'This is Commander Straker.
'You all realise
how important this mission is.
'
Your controller
will be Lieutenant Ellis.
Flight plans will be relayed
by Lieutenant Ford.
(SID) 'UFO maintaining course.
'Speed SOL minus
eight-point-three-five.
'
UFO maintaining course and speed.
Stand by for on-board
computer read-in.
'Zero-zero-one-o-two.
One-three-one-
nine-zero-one-two-four.
'
Roger.
(SID) 'UFO maintaining course,
bearing one-four-two, blue.
'Range 18 million miles.
'17 million miles.
'
Entering area red, zero-eight-one.
There it is.
It's changing course.
UFO entering area red,
zero-eight-four.
Speed, SOL eight-decimal-three-seven.
We'll have to readjust the schedule.
Right.
Compute for a new flight plan.
Right, sir.
'Control to Interceptor,
stand by for new flight plan.
'
Zero-four-two-one-four-eight,
two-one-four-eight.
Increase speed to SOL
one-decimal-one-two-seven.
Leader to two and three.
- Alter course to two-one-four-eight.
- Roger.
Interceptors losing contact, sir.
We've got to turn it.
If we use a detonation here,
the UFO will be forced to swing away
onto this sort of a course.
Tell the Interceptors to explode
a missile in area blue.
One-two-eight.
Control to Interceptors.
Break formation.
Will relay new flight plans.
Control to Interceptors.
'Missile timing,
one-five-decimal-one-eight seconds.
'
Thank you, Control.
Commencing missile sequence.
Firing minus
five-decimal-two seconds.
- Detonation positive.
- (Harrington) It's altered course.
- UFO in area blue, one-three-two.
- (Barry) Maintaining speed.
(Ford) Crossing into blue,
one-three-three.
It's coming around just right.
(Ellis) It's accelerating, sir.
Decimal-three-eight.
Eight-decimal-three-nine.
We have to use a second missile.
- Are you sure?
- Yes.
- Compute it.
- Yes, sir.
Well?
I think a missile in area blue,
two-seven should do it, Commander.
- Order the missile launch.
- Yes, sir.
Missile timing one-zero-four,
zero-one-eight, eight-two-six.
Roger.
Detonation confirmed, sir.
(SID) 'UFO veered to new course -
three-zero-one.
'Compute B-one-four-two.
'Will link up in four-three seconds.
'
- Lieutenant.
- Oh, Commander Straker.
- How do you feel?
- Fine, thanks.
- How about a cup of coffee?
- Yes, I'd like that.
- How do you like your coffee?
- No sugar.
- Here we are.
- Thanks.
Well, ah
here's to Project Discovery.
Cheers.
I want to thank you, Gay, for all the
hard work you put into this project.
And the long hours.
You know, I think
I think you push yourself
a little too hard.
You're doing a fine job, Gay,
a man's job, but
you don't have to do it any better
because you're a woman.
Don't ever forget
you're a very attractive girl.
Thanks for the coffee.
And thank you.
Lieutenant.
- Colonel Foster.
- Sir.
- When do we leave?
- 1800 hours tomorrow, sir.
Good.
Let me give you
a piece of advice, Paul.
Don't ever judge a situation
by the end of a conversation.
Lunar Module,
take-off minus 18 minutes.
I just came to say thank you, girls.
When will the first pictures
be through?
The experts tell me four months, so
let's hope they're worth waiting for.
- Goodbye.
- Goodbye, sir.
- Goodbye, Lieutenant.
- Goodbye, Commander.
Gay, next time you're on earth
furlough, drop in and see me.
Yes, I will.
(Clicks)
They're coming through now, sir.
Feed it through the decoder
to printout.
Right, sir.
(Clicking)
(Foster) Fantastic.
Look at that!
I want the preliminary report
in 24 hours.
Yes, sir.
We've got the answers, Alec.
We've got the answers.
- Commander.
- I did say 24 hours, Kelly.
Yes, but we haven't had time
to type up a report.
Then give it to me verbally.
There was a fault in the device.
A fault?
The range and magnification
on each shot wasn't transmitted.
What is that supposed to mean?
Except for superfluous detail,
these shots tell us very little.
What are you trying to sell me?
Look at that detail!
It must tell you something.
Yes, but was it taken
from 500 or 100 miles?
- Is the magnification one or 1,000?
- Oh, come on.
Look, if I take a picture of a girl
from three feet or 100 yards,
I can still see it's a girl.
I want to show you something,
Commander.
Whatever the range,
that's a shot of the alien planet -
a close-up of the surface.
Yes.
I'm no expert, but that
must be some form of vegetation.
Some form of vegetation, you think.
You could be right.
But why don't we take another look?
Now, let's pull back.
You'll notice the curvature
of the horizon.
Surely from that, we can work out
an approximation of the overall size?
(Kelly) Let's pull back
a little more.
What is this, Kelly?
Some sort of joke?
You said earlier, Commander,
you could recognise a girl
from three feet or 100 yards.
What about when the shot
is from 30 inches,
with a magnification
varying from zero to 10,000?
Hello, Commander.
- Lieutenant.
- Thank you, you can relax now.
Hold it there a moment,
will you, Lieutenant?
Magnification zero
times ten
one hundred
a thousand.
Not the most flattering of pin-ups,
nor the best way to spend a furlough.
- Thanks for all your help, Gay.
- Pleasure.
- Goodbye, Commander.
- Lieutenant.
Yes, I'm beginning
to see the problem.
I'd like you to have a look
at that monitor.
What would you say this is,
Commander?
Before your demonstration, I would've
said a lava formation of some kind.
Actually, it's a section
of fractured polystyrene.
- It's incredible.
- Here's another.
A structure - it could be a building.
In fact, Commander,
it's a grain of pollen.
Another shot which could well be
taken for a strange rock formation.
- I have to agree.
- Puffed wheat, sir.
Without knowing range
or magnification,
the lava flow becomes
a piece of shattered polystyrene -
magnification times 2,155.
A pollen grain becomes a building.
And a grain of puffed wheat,
a rock formation.
Tell me, how are
these shots produced?
Micro-photography
is well established,
but the secret is three-dimensional
effect, the depth of focus.
It's been known for 25 years,
but it needs development.
So, while we've all been looking
into outer space,
men like you have been sitting
on this - inner space.
- Your pet project.
- Yes.
It's a vast area,
almost completely unexplored.
But I believe it will
give us the answers
to some of the basic questions about
the universe, and even life itself.
Maybe we've all been looking
the wrong way.
You know,
when you really think about it
everything in this office,
every object -
even a speck of dust -
contains billions of particles.
And each particle
is made up of millions of atoms.
A whole universe
within these four walls.
I walk along a beach,
stand with millions of grains
of sand beneath my feet
Is everything we know -
this office, our world,
the vastness of space itself -
inside one grain of sand
on another beach, on another world,
in another universe?
Space is infinite, both ways -
outward and inward.
You can tell Kelly
he'll get his appropriation.
It'll be more than he expects.
I get the picture.
A greatly magnified picture, General.