The lightship Altares leaves Space Station Delta on the first stage of a mission of scientific discovery beyond the solar system, a journey to Alpha Centauri, four light years from Earth. On board are two complete family units: Dr. Tom Bowen with his wife Anna and son David, and Captain Harry Masters with his daughter Jane.
Their work at Alpha Centauri completed, the two families elect to continue deeper into space but the computer guidance system malfunctions and the Altares is hit by a meteorite shower. When the ship’s photon drive accidentally cuts in, the Altares hurtles out of control at near light speed – leaving the crew with no way to return to Earth!
Gerry Anderson Productions
Produced: 1975
First UK broadcast: 11th December 1976
1 episode x 50 minutes
Screenplay by Johnny Byrne
Directed by Charles Crichton
Original UK Airdate: 11th December 1976 (BBC1)
Original US Airdate: 9th December 1975 (NBC)
Producer: Gerry Anderson
Production Supervisor: F. Sherwin Green
Director: Charles Crichton
Director of Photography: Frank Watts BSC
Production Designer: Reg Hill
Special Effects: Brian Johnson
Music: Derek Wadsworth and Steve Coe