Space 1999

Space: 1999 is a science-fiction television program that ran for two seasons from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, set in the year 1999, nuclear waste stored on the Moon’s far side explodes, knocking the Moon out of orbit and sending it, as well as the 311 inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, hurtling uncontrollably into space.

Two seasons of the program were produced, each comprising 24 episodes. Production of the first season was from April 1973 to February 1975; production of the second season was from January 1976 to December 1976.

The premise of Space: 1999 centers on the plight of the inhabitants of Moonbase Alpha, a scientific research center on the Moon. Humanity had been storing its nuclear waste in vast disposal sites on the far side of the Moon, but when an unknown form of magnetic radiation is detected, the accumulated waste reaches critical mass and causes a massive thermonuclear explosion on 13 September 1999. The force of the blast propels the Moon like an enormous booster rocket, hurling it out of Earth orbit and into deep space at colossal speed, thus stranding the 311 personnel stationed on Alpha. The runaway Moon, in effect, becomes the “spacecraft” on which the protagonists travel, searching for a new home. Not long after leaving Earth’s Solar System, the wandering Moon passes through a black hole and later through a couple of “space warps” which push it even further out into the universe. During their interstellar journey, the Alphans encounter an array of alien civilizations, dystopian societies, and mind-bending phenomena previously unseen by humanity. Several episodes of the first series hinted that the Moon’s journey was influenced (and perhaps initiated) by a “mysterious unknown force”, which was guiding the Alphans toward an ultimate destiny. The second series used simpler action-oriented plots.

The headline stars of Space: 1999 were American actors Martin Landau and Barbara Bain, who were married. To appeal to the American television market and sell the series to one of the major U.S. networks, Landau and Bain were cast as the leads.

Space: 1999 was the last in a long line of science-fiction series that Gerry and Sylvia Anderson produced as a working partnership.

This show is arguably one of the biggest cult classics from the 70s and has a huge following, even today!

Social Media

Space 1999 is a facebook page with around 11,200 plus likes. Even though it’s title is space 199 it covers other topics as well. Some good images though, worth a look see.

Space 1999 Series is another facebook page that has over 43,000 likes. This page stays mostly on topic and has many pictures and video that some may not have seen. This is a good one!

Internet Sites

Moonbase Alpha : Home Of The On-Line RPG

Space 1999.Org Dedicated to the science fiction show Space: 1999

Gerry Anderson’s Official Space 1999 Site. Read it’s history or buy some merchandise!

The Cast:

Martin Landau / Barbara Bain / Nick Tate / Zienia Merton / Sarah Bullen / Barry Morse / Catherine Schell / Prentis Hancock / Clifton Jones / Anton Phillips / Tony Anhol