Space Dock (Space: 1999)
Encyclopedia
The Space Dock was a fictional space station in the television series Space: 1999
(1975). Referred to simply as the Space Dock it is also called the Meta Probe
Launch Platform in "Breakaway
" and the Interplanetary Space Station in "Dragon's Domain
" episodes of the series. The popular fan name for the space station, "Centuri", was coined in The Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual and was not used in the series. Although never mentioned in the series itself, it is also believed that a fleet of the Mark IX Hawk
seen in the episode "War Games" is stationed on this facility.
In the real world of today, there are proposed plans to build a space dock to function as a type of dry dock
or spaceport
"making possible the on-orbit assembly and maintenance of large space facilities, space platforms, and spacecraft."
(1996) and the Meta Probe
(1999), as well as providing a midway point for travellers to and from the Moon. Spacecraft refuelling and maintenance facilities were available, as were rudimentary travellers' amenities (such as lodging and dining) along with accommodations for the crew. During the Moon's breakaway on 13 September 1999, the Space Dock was destroyed by extreme gravitational stress; although the GTV News announcer reports that it, like the Moon, was hurled out of orbit.
, which began in the crater Plato
on 3 February 1983.
" there was an additional Eagle Transporter
landing platform but this was not present at the time of its destruction in "Breakaway
". All sections of the installation had windows, and its lack of rotation seemed to indicate it was equipped with artificial gravity.
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
(1975). Referred to simply as the Space Dock it is also called the Meta Probe
Meta Probe
The Meta Probe was a fictional spacecraft in the Space: 1999 episode "Breakaway", it appears in just a few scenes of this pilot episode.-Mission Profile:...
Launch Platform in "Breakaway
Breakaway (Space: 1999)
"Breakaway" is the first episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by George Bellak ; the director was Lee H. Katzin. Previous titles include 'Zero-G', 'The Void Ahead' and 'Turning Point'. The final shooting script is dated 22 November 1973...
" and the Interplanetary Space Station in "Dragon's Domain
Dragon's Domain
"Dragon's Domain" is the twenty-third episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Christopher Penfold; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script dated 21 January 1975, with blue-page amendments dated 29 January 1975 and yellow-page amendments dated...
" episodes of the series. The popular fan name for the space station, "Centuri", was coined in The Moonbase Alpha Technical Manual and was not used in the series. Although never mentioned in the series itself, it is also believed that a fleet of the Mark IX Hawk
Mark IX Hawk
The Mark IX Hawk is a fictional spacecraft in the Space: 1999 television series. They are apparently designed specifically for combat, and are fast, maneuverable, and well-armed...
seen in the episode "War Games" is stationed on this facility.
In the real world of today, there are proposed plans to build a space dock to function as a type of dry dock
Dry dock
A drydock is a narrow basin or vessel that can be flooded to allow a load to be floated in, then drained to allow that load to come to rest on a dry platform...
or spaceport
Spaceport
A spaceport or cosmodrome is a site for launching spacecraft, by analogy with seaport for ships or airport for aircraft. The word spaceport, and even more so cosmodrome, has traditionally been used for sites capable of launching spacecraft into orbit around Earth or on interplanetary trajectories...
"making possible the on-orbit assembly and maintenance of large space facilities, space platforms, and spacecraft."
Mission profile
The Space Dock is used for launching interplanetary missions such as the Ultra ProbeUltra Probe
The Ultra Probe was a fictional spacecraft in the Space: 1999 episode "Dragons Domain".A long-range explorer ship, the Ultra Probe was designed to take a crew of four to the planet Ultra, which had been discovered by Professor Victor Bergman in 1994...
(1996) and the Meta Probe
Meta Probe
The Meta Probe was a fictional spacecraft in the Space: 1999 episode "Breakaway", it appears in just a few scenes of this pilot episode.-Mission Profile:...
(1999), as well as providing a midway point for travellers to and from the Moon. Spacecraft refuelling and maintenance facilities were available, as were rudimentary travellers' amenities (such as lodging and dining) along with accommodations for the crew. During the Moon's breakaway on 13 September 1999, the Space Dock was destroyed by extreme gravitational stress; although the GTV News announcer reports that it, like the Moon, was hurled out of orbit.
History
Under the guidance of the International Lunar Finance Commission, on 2 July 1981 the Space Dock was put under construction in a high lunar orbit. It was completed on 19 June 1982, giving it the opportunity to oversee construction of Earth's Space Research Centre, or Moonbase AlphaMoonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha is a fictional moon base and the main setting in the science fiction television series Space: 1999.-Moonbase Alpha:Located in the Moon crater Plato and constructed out of quarried rock and ores, Moonbase Alpha is four kilometres in diameter and extends up to one kilometre in areas...
, which began in the crater Plato
Plato (crater)
Plato is the lava-filled remains of a lunar impact crater on the moon. It is located on the northeastern shore of the Mare Imbrium, at the western extremity of the Montes Alpes mountain range. In the mare to the south are several rises collectively named the Montes Teneriffe. To the north lies the...
on 3 February 1983.
Design elements
Modular in construction, it consisted of a cylindrical central core, with two sets of four "arms" of varying lengths projecting outward from the "top" and "bottom" of the core. These "arms" of the Space Dock appear to have been Saturn rockets, such as those used in early space exploration. With their standardised control systems, all World Space Commission spacecraft were able to dock at the ports at the end of each arm. In "Dragon's DomainDragon's Domain
"Dragon's Domain" is the twenty-third episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by Christopher Penfold; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script dated 21 January 1975, with blue-page amendments dated 29 January 1975 and yellow-page amendments dated...
" there was an additional Eagle Transporter
Eagle (Space: 1999)
The Eagle Transporter is a fictional spacecraft and the iconic image of the 1970s television series Space: 1999. The Eagles serve as the primary spacecraft of Moonbase Alpha, which has a fleet of them. The Eagles are primarily used to explore alien planets, defend Moonbase Alpha from attack, and to...
landing platform but this was not present at the time of its destruction in "Breakaway
Breakaway (Space: 1999)
"Breakaway" is the first episode of the first series of Space: 1999. The screenplay was written by George Bellak ; the director was Lee H. Katzin. Previous titles include 'Zero-G', 'The Void Ahead' and 'Turning Point'. The final shooting script is dated 22 November 1973...
". All sections of the installation had windows, and its lack of rotation seemed to indicate it was equipped with artificial gravity.
External links
- Space 1999 - Catacombs - Space Dock