September 13th, 1999

A nuclear accident at a lunar-based waste disposal site propels our moon out of Earth orbit and into deep space.  The 311 residents of Moonbase Alpha find themselves adrift in space with no way to control their course through the interstellar void.

OK, give it a D- for scientific plausibility, but an A+ for originality.

In many other aspects, though, Gerry Anderson's Space: 1999 was more scientifically accurate than Star Trek.  There were convincing portrayals of low-gravity environments, the protagonists flew down to planets in realistic-looking spacecraft called Eagles rather than "beaming" down, and they frequently went into unearthly environments which were highly hostile to life.  Not so on Next Generation, where they went seven straight years without climbing into a single space suit.  What a bunch of space-wimps!

The British-produced weekly series starred the Mission Impossible team of Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, and boasted outstanding miniature special effects by Brian Johnson, impressive sets, and high production values.  Space: 1999 helped fill the sci-fi void between the original Star Trek and its revival, and is fondly remembered by its fans, no less so even as the real year of 1999 recedes into history.

• Season Two Alternate Theme Songs
• The Maya Morphin' Movie!
• SPACE: 1999 Screensaver
• Moonbase Alpha Wallpaper Tiles
• Scans
• Video Captures
• Other Websites of Interest