BBC1 airs the sixth episode of the science fiction series Doomwatch, created by former Doctor Who writers Kit Pedler and Gerry Davis.
The Sunfire 1 mission, the first orbital test flight of a nuclear-powered space capsule, is crewed by two Americans and the first British astronaut, Dick Larch. When the capsule returns to Earth, however, a disastrous dump of the nuclear fuel almost occurs, and an inquiry begins into the incident, with NASA keen to keeps its pilots’ names clear. Dr. Quist and Doomwatch are tasked with trying to determine if Larch is of sound mind, something Larch resents deeply. But is he hiding something…and why is he volunteering for the next Sunfire mission?
written by Don Shaw
directed by Paul Ciappessoni
music by Max HarrisCast: John Paul (Dr. Spencer Quist), Simon Oates (Dr. John Ridge), Robert Powell (Tobias Wren), Wendy Hall (Pat Hunniset), Joby Blanshard (Colin Bradley), Joseph Furst (Charles Goldsworthy), Michael McGovern (Dick Larch), Veronica Strong (Carol Larch), Grant Taylor (Kramer), Kevin Scott (Gus Clarke), Craig Hunter (Bill Edwards), Noel Sheldon (Max Friedman), John Kidd (Johnson), John Boxer (Brown), James Burke (BBC Man London), Michael Aspel (BBC Man Houston), Dougal Fraser (TV Commentator)
LogBook entry by Earl Green