Satellite in the Sky (1956)

[bunniefuu]

- Hello, sir.

- Hello, Bob.

It seems okay, Lefty.

It ought to be.

It's the 23rd test with the new fuel.

No overheating?

- Not anymore. That's all, Bob.

- All finished.

- Any misfiring?

- None at all.

Would you say it was perfect now?

I'd never say anything was perfect.

Anyway, we'll know this afternoon.

- Sounds like Mike's plane.

- Yeah.

- Let's go and tell him.

- All right.

George, tell Larry Noble to

pick me up at the locker room.

Okay.

Will you all please be seated,

ladies and gentlemen?

- Good morning, sir.

- Good morning.

- Everything's ready now.

- Wonderful.

We'll answer your questions, providing

they don't violate security regulations.

I hope that doesn't mean

you'll sit in deep official silence.

Not at all. Operation Stardust

is a purely scientific venture.

Mr. Blandford, we have heard a lot

of rumors about Operation Stardust.

What is the main object of this flight?

We hope to show that man

can break away from the Earth's pull.

Get outside the force of gravity.

Oh, then the spaceship will actually...

No, no, the Stardust

is not really a spaceship.

We're not at that stage yet.

But you believe the Stardust

can get outside the field of gravity?

Yes, she should reach a height

of over 1000 miles...

and a speed of about

5 miles per second.

- For how long?

- Theoretically, forever.

Once the Stardust has passed

the upper stratosphere...

there will be no frictional

resistance or gravity to stop it.

Oh, here is Commander Hayden,

the chief test pilot.

- Good morning.

- Good morning.

Gentlemen, this is Larry Noble,

my chief officer and navigator.

- Morning.

- How do you do?

Take over, commander.

Captain Ross will watch the questions,

which are under security.

Commander Hayden, can you tell us

exactly what you intend to do today?

At 1500 hours this afternoon...

I'm going to take a jet fighter

up 80,000 feet.

Once up there, I'm going to give

the plane all I know.

Is this the test

we've been invited to see?

That's right.

The biggest obstacle in these tests

has been fuel.

Fuel to boost rocket turbines

to the tremendous power output required.

We've already lost two planes

and two good men.

You think you've got it?

We hope the lives of two men

have not been wasted.

What we've learned

gives Hayden a better chance...

for the plane he takes up.

If it stands up to the tests

he will give it...

- then...

- Then?

Operation Stardust

will proceed as scheduled.

What is the schedule?

If the test is a failure,

we start all over again.

But if it succeeds,

the Stardust will take off tomorrow.

- Tomorrow?

- Yes.

Everyone is standing by

and the weather is perfect.

We've prepared releases for you.

- Larry, help me.

- Yes, sir.

They contain all the technical details

for your story.

Can we use these?

Yes, of course,

we put them there for you.

Thank you.

Commander, just what do you

hope to accomplish?

This is the first step, the first attempt

to get beyond the stratosphere.

Away from the Earth's force.

- And then what?

- Come again.

Supposing you get beyond the stratosphere,

what will man have gained?

Well, we'll know a little more.

Be less ignorant about the universe

and our place in it.

Don't you think first we ought to find out

what's wrong with our own world?

Why give the whole universe

the benefit of our ignorance?

Commander Hayden?

This spacecraft, Stardust,

what potential does it have in time of w*r?

I'm afraid, gentlemen,

that question is out of order.

Commander, how will the human body

react to the acceleration...

needed to reach the speed

of 5 miles per second?

Eighteen thousand miles per hour.

It sounds like a lot, but the acceleration

should be fairly gradual.

If you want figures, it should be about

128 feet per second per second.

What's that in simple language,

commander?

In simple language,

that's 6 miles up in 24 seconds.

Ladies and gentlemen, if you'd

like to see the rest of the building...

You've got it all down pat anyhow.

I have a feeling

you don't approve of this project.

Is that so strange when the whole thing is

completely unnecessary? In fact, suicidal.

You said you'd already lost two men.

They were aware of the danger

and thought it worthwhile.

What if the Stardust blows up,

as she probably will?

Then we'll know... The designers will know

that the fuel or the design was imperfect.

Some people find it impossible

to be quite so impersonal, commander.

If I may be personal,

I'm glad I'm not your wife.

And if I may be personal, so am I.

Control testing. Control testing.

One, two, three...

four, five, six...

Here's your microphone.

The lead's long enough.

You'll get an excellent view from here.

- Have we got contact with the hangar?

- Yes, sir.

- When's it start?

- Takeoff in two minutes.

Blandford to Skytest.

Are you receiving me? Over.

And, please, no more photographs.

Skytest to Blandford,

receiving loud and clear.

- Can we mention the name of this place?

- Yes.

Thank you. Switching off.

- Who is that girl?

- Kim Hamilton.

Special correspondent

of the World Press Service.

I should've said something to Hayden.

- She represents the opposition.

- Opposition?

Public opinion is divided. Most people

think it's a great experiment.

But there is the other point of view

that Hayden is committing suicide.

The suicide idea would be enough

to stir up plenty of opposition.

- It's nonsense.

- Is it? Simms?

- You think...?

- It's not a question of what I think.

- You and I know the more important story.

- The b*mb.

Even without knowing about that, you

can't blame people for feeling opposition.

Dr. Blandford,

message from Control, sir.

- Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen.

- May we have your attention, please?

Hayden will be taking off in 30 seconds.

I've had radio equipment installed...

so you can hear Hayden's

firsthand impressions...

while he's in the air.

Skytest to Control. Skytest to Control.

- Skytest to Control. Over.

- You're on. Over.

Hello, Mike. This is Blandford.

How is it? Over.

Everything's fine. Responding well.

I'm now cruising at 9000 feet.

Airfield looming up.

Airfield gone. Over.

You're on your own, Mike.

Commence test when ready. Over.

Pulling her up to vertical climb. Over.

He's taking her up to 80,000 feet.

- And then what?

- He'll bring her down again.

- In one piece?

- Skytest to Blandford. Over.

- Sorry.

- Go ahead, Mike. Over.

I'm leveling out.

Coming down at maximum

velocity now. Over.

Pull her out, Mike, pull her out!

- He's left it too late.

- He's overshot.

Blandford to Skytest.

Blandford to Skytest.

Mike, for heaven's sake, answer.

That was the sound barrier.

And right now I'm about 80 miles away,

so you wouldn't hear me.

I'm riding along the rim of the coast.

Everything responding. Everything okay.

Quite a joy ride. Over.

How about fuel pressure? Over.

Everything normal.

Now returning to airfield. Over.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have

what we wanted, a successful test.

- He's finished? It's over?

- Not quite, Miss Hamilton. Not quite.

- We have to go through that again?

- Receiving loud and clear, Miss Hamilton.

It's nice to have you worry about me. Just

a few routine aerobatics before I come in.

Very pretty to watch.

And who knows, I might even

provide you with a suicide. Over.

Nice work, Mike.

Thank you, Simms.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Operation Stardust will go ahead tomorrow.

I still bet we don't take off tomorrow.

There's nothing to stop us, is there?

I'm getting to a state

I don't believe anything anymore.

Well, everything's set.

- What time?

- Start warming up at 0915 hours.

- Take off 1000 hours.

- All right, I lose my bet.

I suggest you both take it easy.

Try and get some sleep. You'll need it.

Dinner at home for me.

Anything else, Mike?

No. Don't keep that dinner waiting.

Barbara's gonna be thrilled

it's happening.

- Good night, sir.

- Good night, Larry.

There's a great deal to be done.

Where will you be if I want to speak?

I'll be around. I could do with a drink.

I wonder if the

press left any free stuff.

Why not go and find out?

By the way, you might let Ross know

exactly where you are.

Yes, of course.

Okay, I'm finished.

Al right.

Will you have those

photographs ready for tonight?

Yeah, as soon as I

get back to the office.

Good.

Oh, Bill.

Put this on the editor's desk for me.

You'll be in later?

You really do believe in all this,

don't you, commander?

You don't spend five years of your life

on this if it means nothing to you.

Someday men are going to

explore the universe.

- And when they do finally...

- But that's just it. Do what?

What are you gonna find

that's worth so much?

Perhaps a new world.

The better world they're talking about.

Anyway, it's important to find out.

I know that some people

can't understand.

- You don't see it either, do you?

- Well, I can't say I agree with you.

- All the same, will you do me a favor?

- I don't know. It depends what it is.

Let me see the Stardust.

Why?

So you can write a sarcastic story

about something you don't understand.

"I saw the Stardust last night...

the plane that's being launched

into nowhere for no reason.

And what is it? Just a mass of metal.

Plain, ordinary metal."

- That's what you want to write.

- It has nothing to do with what I write.

I have a very special reason

for wanting to see it.

If you use this to ridicule the project,

I promise to come back...

just to pay you back.

I only wanna look at it. Can we go, then?

All right. Let's use this door.

Jimmy, have you checked your equipment?

Yeah, everything's checked and stored.

Oh, this is Jimmy Wheeler.

He's our telescreen operator

and photographer.

- Miss Hamilton.

- How do you do?

- Quite a tie you got, Jimmy.

- Yeah.

Pretty smart, eh? There's nothing like

a new tie to give a guy courage.

- Especially when he's got a problem.

- Problem? Like which girl to take out?

I'm a one-girl man now.

I'm sh**ting the works.

- Oh, it's that serious?

- It sure is.

- Say, Lefty?

- Yep.

- Can you keep a secret?

- Oh, I think so.

Look, if you were a girl, a really

beautiful girl, would you marry me?

If this is a proposal, Jimmy,

save it for the girl.

- Best of luck anyway.

- Thanks. I'll need it.

- I don't think I'm...

- You're not worthy of her.

If I didn't know you better,

I'd say you were kidding me.

Look, Lefty. Why don't you

come up to London with me?

Maybe Ellen's got a girlfriend.

We can have a ball.

You know, if this crew's ever

gonna have a night out, this is it.

I don't think so.

No, I didn't think so either.

I don't see you celebrating anything.

No offense. Be seeing you.

- Good evening, Thomas.

- Good evening, sir.

- Good evening.

- Good evening, miss.

Tell me, Mr. Thomas,

do you wanna go up tomorrow?

Me, miss? No. I'm comfortable

down here on the ground.

Practically retired. At least Thomas

has his age as an excuse.

I remember when a bike

was the fastest thing.

See what I mean? Come on. Let's go.

Let me, sir.

I've never seen anything

so overpowering, so beautiful.

It's beautiful, all right. Even down here.

Yes, it's beautiful but evil.

Why evil? Oh, I admit that power

can be used for evil purposes...

but there's nothing evil in this.

We're just doing something

that's never been done before.

You mean because

it's never needed to be done.

Is there any point in trying something

just because it's never been done?

Your trouble is that you want to stand

still, and the world can't and doesn't.

I'd like to go now.

- Good night.

- Good night.

- Good night, Thomas.

- Good night, sir.

It's a wonder you don't have

more guards.

There are plenty of guards,

but they watch the outer areas.

What do these guards do?

There are no gunfights,

if that's what you mean...

but they stop a few

souvenir-hunters and fanatics...

who want to blow up the Stardust.

Like you, for example.

- Do you hate me for feeling like this?

- I don't hate you at all.

There'll always be people against progress

and you have every right to be one of them.

- I'll turn the jeep around.

- And you're a stubborn idealist.

It's what you're doing I dislike, not you.

Is there any difference between

what a man does and what he is?

I knew two other men like you.

They're both dead

because of what you call progress.

Barbara?

Barbara? Oh, hello, dear.

I got away as quickly as I could.

I was afraid something might come up.

And having nothing better to do,

you came home.

Barbara, you know

tomorrow's the big day.

- Another big day?

- Do try and understand, dear.

I thought we paid this bill.

All I can understand is that

I've had five years of waiting...

for one big day or another,

after which everything will be wonderful.

- But this one really is...

- I know, this one is going to be different.

- Well, don't let's quarrel.

- You won't have a chance.

I'm going to Myra's party.

- Will it be all right if I come along too?

- You can if you want to.

- I'd hoped that we could be alone tonight.

- You did?

You suddenly remembered

you had a wife.

Don't let's bicker all the time.

- I'm sorry I've been a bit busy lately.

- "A bit busy"?

Well, that's a laugh.

Even when you're with me,

you're not really with me at all.

You're thinking about some problem

on that rocket of yours.

You knew my job when you married me.

You knew it then, the sort of life

we'd lead together.

I didn't really expect anything like this.

And besides, you've changed.

You don't really need me anymore.

Oh, Barbara, I do need you.

Anyway, this job's nearly finished.

I promise after tomorrow

we can have all the time we want.

And you're sure that after tomorrow

there won't be bigger and better rockets?

Barbara.

That wasn't fair.

I thought it was pretty good.

- Must be about time for our relief.

- Yes.

- Larry, will you promise me one thing?

- Certainly.

Tonight let's forget about

everything except us.

That'll be easy. I promise.

Mr. and Mrs. Noble are out.

- Well, perhaps...

- Oh, Larry, please don't answer it.

Larry.

Hello?

Oh, yes, sir.

Tonight? No, I can't.

Won't it keep till the morning?

Oh, I see.

Yes, I'll be right over.

- That was the chief.

- I heard.

Well, it's important.

Of course.

The rocket is always important.

They wouldn't call me

if they didn't need me.

And they can have you.

But this time, I'm not waiting

for the rocket to let you come back.

- Oh., hello, Michael. Come in.

- Hello.

Did they find Miss Hamilton?

No, sir. I imagine she left

without handing in her pass.

- I don't know how.

- I wouldn't worry about it, sir.

Blandford, let's get down

to the task in hand.

We should wait until Mr. Noble

gets here. He's on his way now.

I thought the crew

would have been sleeping here.

If I had my way, the whole project

would have been handled as a top-secret.

That would have drawn more attention

to it. We wanted to avoid that.

May I introduce Commander Hayden,

the chief pilot?

- How do you do?

- Professor Merrity, w*r Office.

Glad to meet you, professor.

All this sounds very mysterious, sir.

- Come in.

- I didn't know that the w*r Office...

- were interested.

- Professor, this is Mr. Noble.

Good evening.

Hello, Mike, it's a bit late.

- Sorry.

- Let's get to the point, shall we?

All this is in absolute confidence.

Blandford, will you tell them?

Michael, we all know the scientific object

of your flight tomorrow...

and the observations

you're going to take...

but there is another project

even more important.

When you take off,

you'll be carrying a b*mb.

- A b*mb?

- Not an ordinary one.

The first Tritonium b*mb

to be made, T-1.

It was perfected at the atomic

research station in New Mexico.

Look, wait a minute.

I thought we were on

a purely scientific mission.

Michael, it took many millions

to finance and build Stardust.

That money would never have been

made available for research alone.

Blandford, let's stop

beating about the bush.

Your ship was built to take T-1

up beyond the stratosphere.

Why can't the new jet bombers

take it up? What's the point?

T-1 is a new type of atomic weapon...

far more powerful

than the hydrogen b*mb.

- More powerful than the H-b*mb?

- Yes.

That's why it cannot be tested on Earth.

Up there beyond the atmosphere,

the expl*si*n will exhaust itself in space.

On Earth it would cause destruction

beyond anything that you can imagine.

That's why it cannot be exploded

on Earth.

Let's hope it's the only Tritonium b*mb

ever to be exploded.

The test will be recorded and

its effects observed all over the globe.

When the destructive power of T-1

is made evident in this way...

it should be a convincing demonstration

of the futility of any future w*r.

If I say that the b*mb

should never have been made...

I'd only be trying

to turn back the clock.

The b*mb exists now.

- How do I explode it?

- I shall do that.

It'll be released automatically

up there...

to explode at 2100 hours tomorrow.

What happens to the b*mb

if Stardust crashes on takeoff?

The b*mb has a specially designed fuse.

It can't explode until the fuse is set.

Merrity will set the fuse

when you reach the required altitude.

Until then, the b*mb is harmless.

The reporters are going to be here

tomorrow.

How do we explain Professor Merrity?

Officially, he will be described

as a meteorological expert.

- You carry on, Ross.

- Right, sir.

- Good night, gentlemen.

- Good night.

I'm afraid I must ask you

and Mr. Noble to stay here tonight.

- The w*r Office insists.

- But I promised my wife...

- I'm sorry.

- It won't take me more than a few minutes.

I'll phone her

and tell her I won't be home.

Of course. I hope you don't mind,

but I must ask you...

to telephone her in my presence.

Al right.

It's a shock to find that what we thought

was the purpose of this project...

is just a blind for something else.

Have the rest of my crew been told?

No, and they won't be.

We in this room

are the only people who know.

Is that fair? You're making

Jimmy and Lefty take part...

in something they know nothing about.

No chance to back out.

Yes, Birchley, 2592.

- Why should they back out?

- I'm not saying they will.

- They should know what they're doing.

- Sorry. It's impossible.

- Anyway, they both still have the same job.

- Still I...

Are you sure you're ringing

the right number?

- Darling, can you lend me some stockings?

- Yes, in just a moment.

Okay, I'll get it.

- Hi, Pat.

- Hello, Jimmy.

- Who is it?

- It's me, honey.

You set for soft lights and sweet music?

Well, I was.

Jimmy, I'm terribly sorry, but I'm...

What do you mean?

Don't we have a date?

You're not the sort of girl to run out.

- No, but Pat and I...

- It's the fashion show at the Grand Hotel.

- You said you'd got out of that.

- I thought I had.

- Stockings.

- Oh, yes.

My boss just called.

One of the girls is ill.

You can call your boss back

and tell her you have an important date.

No, I can't.

Supposing you'd been told to stay at

Thunder Hill tonight. You'd have stayed.

I've got a job too.

I've got to do what I'm told.

- Great, tonight of all nights.

- It's how things happen.

- They're coming for me. I must be ready.

- Sure, I get chucked out, just like that.

There'll be other nights.

Not for me, honey.

- Jimmy?

- I'm sorry, honey.

He was going to take me

to the south of France, but we didn't go.

You mean he neglects you?

- Perhaps he doesn't mean to, but...

- He does, doesn't he?

His work always seems to be

much more important to him than I am.

Well, it's hard to understand

when a man has a wife as lovely as you.

Excuse me a moment.

- Got a light, Jerry?

- Sure.

- How's Larry?

- He's fine. Thank you.

Barbara, let's put these away.

And then, if you feel like it...

let's go somewhere and dance.

Well, yes, I'd love to.

Same again, Jack.

You can't drown it, you know.

-No?

- Make it a double.

- A woman?

Yeah. Yeah, she stood me up.

For another man?

No, a fashion show.

I ask you, a fashion show.

- She's just like all the others, I suppose.

- What do you mean, "like all the others"?

- Listening to you talking, I thought...

- Well, don't.

Maybe you're giving up too easily.

- How much do I owe you, Jack?

- That's the one.

I shouldn't have thought a fashion show

would give you any competition.

- Do you have a telephone here?

- Yes, over there.

- Well, give me some change, will you?

- Here you are.

Tell Mr. Miller we'll be up

in a few seconds.

Ellen? Oh, Ellen, someone wants to talk

to you on the telephone.

He was very insistent.

You can take it outside.

Hurry up, you're on in a few seconds.

Thank you.

- Hello?

- Hello, Ellen?

Oh, Jimmy, I'm so happy.

I mean, I'm so sorry.

The show will be going on

for hours and hours.

Yeah, listen, Ellen. I brought you

a present but I forgot to give it to you.

- Oh?

- In fact, it's a ring.

A ring?

Can't you see it? It's a very pretty ring.

Imagine you're standing with me.

I'm taking your hand and saying:

- "Ellen, will you marry me?"

- Darling.

- Well, I can't go on till you say "yes."

- I'm saying "yes" right now.

- You... You are? You mean you really are?

- Yes.

Well, that... That's wonderful.

Look, I'm putting it on your finger.

See it?

Of course I can see it, Jimmy.

It's beautiful.

- It's the loveliest ring in the world.

- Ellen, please.

Bye, Jimmy.

Well, you're home.

I'm glad you took me out tonight.

This is the first time

I've really enjoyed myself for ages.

I've enjoyed it too.

Barbara, can I call you tomorrow?

All right, Tony.

Good night.

- And thanks again.

- Good night.

There it is, George.

Everything the well-dressed man needs

for a stroll above the stratosphere.

- Including its own jet propulsion.

- Pretty smart.

Well, pal, I hope

they never have to use you.

All right, stand clear, you guys.

I'm gonna bring her up.

Careful now, guys, how you stow this.

- Be sure you check all the shackles.

- Okay.

- Get off the ship as soon as you're finished.

- Yes, sir.

It's heavy.

I wonder what it's supposed to do.

Put the photisms in the gammas

and the flow, I think.

Size tech the photisms in the gammas

and the flow with fine goggles.

Very funny.

Well, Michael, it's two minutes past 9.

After completing your scheduled flight...

you will release the T-1 at the position

and height marked on this chart.

Pilot rockets are attached

to the b*mb to propel it...

beyond the magnetic field of the ship.

The b*mb's orbit has been worked out...

so instruments all over the world will be

trained on the exact spot of the expl*si*n.

- Anything else?

- I think that covers it, sir.

Let's go. I want to see

that the T-1 is secured.

Don't worry, professor, it will be.

What about your special fuse?

It's due here under armed guard

at 9:15.

- Goodbye, Blandford.

- Goodbye, professor.

Well, Michael, good luck.

We'll try to see that everything

goes according to plan, sir.

- Bye.

- Goodbye, professor.

Heroes face death

with a smile on their lips.

What's the fare, Mac? Cheer up.

- You're all heroes.

- I never felt less like a hero.

The air smells good.

Where we're going. they don't have any.

- What are you beefing about?

- What are you happy about?

I'll let you in. Last night, I got engaged

to the most wonderful girl in the world.

I don't wanna spoil your illusions,

but you'll be surprised...

how soon the most wonderful girl

turns into the old woman.

How about last night?

Did you paint the town red?

I didn't go anywhere last night.

I was here. By order. Hello, Mike.

Larry, better get aboard. It's nearly 9:15.

I must wait for the delivery of this...

It takes 45 minutes for the turbos

to warm up. There's plenty of time.

By the way, this is Professor Merrity.

He's coming as meteorologist.

- How do you do?

- Good morning.

This is Blake. We call him Lefty.

He's our turbo-jet engineer.

This is Jimmy Wheeler.

He looks after our telex apparatus.

I'd better get back to the control tower.

Your box of tricks

will be here any minute.

It's probably been delayed by the crowds.

That looks like it, sir.

A five-eighth, Jim.

Commander, the extra acceleration

couch. We had to move it up.

That's okay. Have you tested

the compression yet?

- We're doing it now, sir.

- Right.

All okay, Lefty?

Stand by.

Main circuit in.

Fire all jets at minimum charge.

Jim, get a hold of this.

Special delivery for Professor Merrity.

That's me. Be careful

of that fuse box. It contains acid.

- I can take it for you, sir.

- No. I'll take it myself.

Okay.

Let's go.

We're all finished now.

Stay clear of the jets as you go.

They're radioactive.

- Good luck.

- Thank you.

Okay.

Do we need these masks?

- No, professor, the cabin is pressurized.

- Thanks.

Stardust to Control. Stardust to Control.

Do you receive me? Over.

Thunder Hill to Stardust.

Receiving you clearly.

Switch on your telex radar.

Switched on.

Okay, Stardust, your telex

is being received.

Don't forget to alter your frequency

at 90,000 feet and again at 32 miles.

I'm the telex operator.

T for Tommy, E, Edward...

L, London, E, Edward, X.

I know my job.

Only thing worrying me, do you?

Thunder Hill to Stardust.

No cracks, please.

A lot of important people

are hearing you.

Say, that's great.

Maybe this is my big chance.

Do I get to sing now?

A takeoff of the first

piloted rocket ship in history.

There must be thousands of people here...

who have come from all over

to see this great event.

At 10:00, in just over nine minutes...

the rocket jets will slowly

increase their power...

until the ship is projected

from its underground hangar.

No more inside.

You'll have to watch from here.

Don't push. The whole thing will be

perfectly clear for miles from here.

You must let me in.

It's terribly important.

I'm sorry, there's too many inside

already. Send that car back.

- But there's somebody I must see.

- Who?

Jimmy Wheeler. He's one of

the crew on the rocket.

- Please let me see him.

- I'm sorry, miss, it's too late.

Thirty seconds to go.

- Twenty seconds, Mike.

- Okay.

Try and relax as we take off.

Just sink into the seat.

- It shouldn't be uncomfortable.

- Fifteen.

Stand by.

Ten, nine, eight, seven...

- six, five, four, three, two...

- Cut in fuel.

There she goes. She's gathering speed

up the launching ramp.

Larry, course okay?

Dead on.

Here we go.

This b*mb is gonna be exploded

1000 miles above the Earth?

Yes, at 9 p.m. Greenwich Mean Time

tonight. Her Majesty's government...

and the United States have advised

every country in the world about this.

What is the purpose of this experiment?

Is it a demonstration of force, a threat?

No, gentlemen. It is a scientific

demonstration of destructive power.

After this expl*si*n,

the futility of w*r...

should be even more apparent

than it is at present.

Get ready to cut six jets, Lefty.

Set, skipper.

I can't stand this much longer.

- Quiet, please, professor.

- But I...

Shut up.

Cut to Jets 1 and 8.

You've no right to talk like that.

- Sorry, I'm in charge. Here.

- You'll discover when we get back...

If you don't stop gabbering when I

work out force and velocity corrections...

- we won't get back.

- Is it all right to move?

Yes, you can do what you like now,

professor.

We lost two points to starboard on takeoff.

We cut the motors a little early.

- Get the figures as soon as you can.

- Okay.

I've established contact

with Thunder Hill. Message?

- Not yet.

- Mike.

Who is this guy Merrity?

I think I'll go

and have a look at the gyros.

Yeah, who is he anyway, Mike?

I'm sorry, I wasn't allowed

to tell you until now.

But the main object of this flight is

to release a new b*mb known as T-1.

Purely as a demonstration,

and Merrity is here to do it.

- You mean the b*mb's aboard the ship?

- That's right.

- I'm glad I didn't know that.

- The b*mb is harmless until the fuse is set...

otherwise they'd never

let those crowds watch.

They might have told us...

If you'd been told, you'd have

had to stay at Thunder Hill last night.

Ah, well, in that case... Eh, Lefty?

Well, where is she?

She said she'd be here.

- Like I told you, she didn't show.

- Now we got no story on the takeoff.

- We got the pictures...

- Get Mac.

- Where are you going with those?

- Sorry.

And so we carry on according to plan

with this one additional job.

- Commander Hayden.

- What's the matter?

Are you aware we have

another passenger on board?

Larry, take over.

This is more like a bus service

than a spaceship.

Yeah, you can say that again.

I might have known it'd be you.

You're lucky to be alive.

You know this woman?

This is Kim Hamilton.

She doesn't approve of what we're doing...

but opinions don't matter

when it's a question of getting a story.

This is an outrage.

I'm surprised you take it calmly.

No point in doing anything else.

I can't drop her outside,

much as I'd like to.

- You take it very sensibly.

- Sensibly?

I'd like to point out

that this crazy adventure...

- might have k*lled us all.

- What do you mean?

We might have precise limits

in the weight the ship could lift.

Any additional weight, we might never

have got clear of gravity.

- I didn't think of that.

- Of course not.

You storybook heroines

never think of things like that.

You only think of how clever you're being

and impose on others to save your necks.

- You need any help?

- Get a message away.

- Kim Hamilton aboard.

- Okay.

Make it clear she has no right to be here.

- Tell them she stowed away.

- Sure. I'll see it gets through.

Make sure you cover yourself,

whatever you do.

They should be in their orbit

very soon now.

What's the matter?

I'm just thinking.

You know what we've started?

The first step into space. Now that

we've taken it, we'll have to keep going.

- Would you want to stop?

- Of course not.

Yet as that Hamilton has been saying,

"Here we are, dashing out into space..."

Come in. "... before we've thought about

the problems we might meet."

Dr. Blandford, from the Stardust, sir.

Thank you.

- Good heavens.

- What's the matter?

Read it.

"Stardust to Control.

Maneuvering into free orbit. Stop.

Kim Hamilton stowaway."

How are we gonna explain this to Security?

I better get on to them right away.

I'd better go to the control tower and see

if I can get a message to Hayden.

- Security. But what can you tell him?

- That's right. What can I tell him?

Ross. The chief of security's

gonna chew my ears off over this.

But I can't help admiring that girl.

Yes, put me through, will you?

- How do we stand?

- According to the instruments, we're there.

If you cut the power now,

we'll just float in space forever.

- Would you like to try it?

- We need power to maintain gravity.

- Lefty.

- Yes, skipper?

Set two jets firing at minimum.

I'd rather like to have tried free fall.

Remember to alternate

every five minutes.

Coffee, gentlemen?

You have enough provisions

to last a week.

Weight doesn't seem to be

of vital importance after all.

I said it might have been.

Professor, we're in our orbit now.

I'm on a ship that is,

not that might have been.

You take this matter lightly. What

you've done is little short of criminal.

I don't know under what breach

of regulation you'll be charged.

- Coffee, professor?

- But you will be.

You attractive women

think you've nothing to do...

but wave your hips

and everything's forgiven.

- Commander, coffee?

- Thank you.

I'm glad you think I'm attractive,

but I assure you I wasn't waving my hips.

- Mr. Noble?

- Thank you.

- Lefty?

- Thanks.

You haven't asked me yet

why I came along.

I'm not the least bit interested

in why you came.

Another slap in the face.

I'm getting used to them.

I get the impression

you're not welcome around here.

- Are we still in contact with Thunder Hill?

- No. I think our last message got through.

Well, I certainly hope so.

Then they'll know that I'm on the job.

- Well?

- Sorry, no news.

She didn't even get home.

There's no sign of her at Thunder Hill.

When I let her cover this story...

- I must have been crazy.

- Courier.

Women, they've no nose for news,

no sense of responsibility.

I don't like them. In fact, I hate them.

Oh, brother. I love them.

- Where are they going?

- To release the b*mb, I guess.

What b*mb?

You don't know much

about that, do you?

It's some new atomic b*mb

called the T-1...

and setting it off was

what we really came up here for.

So it wasn't a scientific

project, after all.

It's a scientific project. It's just that

the money was put up for the other thing.

You should have stayed. The newspapers

were given the whole story.

What did you think about it

when they told you about the b*mb?

Well, I guess I didn't think much at all.

What about you, Lefty?

Well, I'm an engineer.

But if it's got to be exploded,

this is the place to do it.

The expl*si*n will be felt

over the world in a series of shock waves.

What damage will that cause?

It might cause strong wind,

gales in certain areas.

The density of the air will break up

the tremors before they reach the Earth.

Commander, it's 11:10.

The b*mb, once primed,

must be released immediately.

- Start priming it.

- I need assistance.

I can't do it by myself. Noble, help me.

- That's all right.

- Release the shackles...

- and remove the fuse plate.

- Right.

Signal to me you'll cut the jets.

You, Noble, will fire the pilot rockets.

They will propel the b*mb away

from the magnetic attraction of the ship.

- How long will it take?

- About two minutes.

I'll leave you to it.

So that's the b*mb.

It's a pity so much time, money

and intelligence...

is wasted on making

bigger and better bombs.

- For once I agree with you.

- Well, that's a pleasant surprise.

We're beginning

to understand each other.

Maybe.

Hold it, mate.

Screw the plate on.

We used to think

of the first space travelers...

landing on planets and planting flags.

Now I suppose the first thing they do

is explode an atomic b*mb.

Exploding the b*mb is not my job.

It's nothing to do with me.

Weren't you consulted?

Blandford was. Larry and I

were only told about it last night.

Government officials give orders

without understanding what they mean.

I don't think that applies. The project

must have been carefully planned.

Supposing the expl*si*n

doesn't dissipate itself in space...

this could be the end of the world.

Then that gives you something

more to worry about.

Is that properly screwed down?

You do know how to

fire the pilot rockets?

I know what I'm doing.

- Release it as soon as the jets are cut.

- Right.

Anyway, what can one do?

I'm told to release a b*mb.

If I refuse, someone else

takes the Stardust up, that's all.

I wish there'd never been a Stardust.

There had to be one.

If not now, in 10 years or 20.

It was only a matter of time. All set?

- Yes, all ready.

- Lefty.

Wait. Are you quite sure

this b*mb has to be exploded?

- It's too late now.

- It isn't. In a few seconds it will be.

Don't get hysterical, now of all times.

We know our business,

you quite definitely do not.

- Control yourself, please.

- Stand by to shut off the jets.

Are you prepared to take responsibility

for anything that might happen?

How can I take responsibility for

everything that might happen? Commander.

As a scientist,

how can you go on with it?

Okay, Lefty. Shut off the jets.

Excellent.

Eleven twenty-one exactly.

I'm glad that's over.

It was a nerve-racking job.

Understand that things

are not done without due consideration.

- I should hope not.

- Everything is taken into account.

Every phase

is timed and checked in advance.

I wasn't worried about the timing.

What was worrying you?

The effect of the expl*si*n?

That's been carefully calculated too.

Five hundred years ago it was carefully

calculated the Earth was flat.

A ship sailing to the edge would go over.

You can't tell. You can't be sure of

what will happen under new conditions.

- You can only guess.

- You lack scientific training.

- It's a waste of time talking to you.

- Professor.

Have a look at this.

The rockets have failed.

You blundering idiot!

They were ignited

when the b*mb left the ship.

Something has gone wrong.

If the rockets have failed,

maybe the fuse failed too.

- That b*mb can go off.

- Get the ship under way.

- If we're within hundreds of miles...

- Won't the jets detonate the b*mb?

- Get clear of it.

- Stand by to blast ahead.

Wait. The ejection-bay doors

are still open.

- Do you wanna wait till the b*mb explodes?

- You don't have to be shouting.

Larry. Get back as soon as you can.

Don't wait. I'll hang on down here.

You'll need the extra chair.

- Larry.

- Watch for the signal.

All I want to know,

is it safe to fire the outer jets?

In theory, yes.

Heat shouldn't detonate the T-1.

We must get clear. Fire the outer jets.

Get in your seats.

Miss Hamilton, take that seat there.

Lefty, try 10 seconds full dive,

Jets 1 and 8.

Same jets, minimum charge.

Right.

Cut.

What happened?

Are we clear of it, professor?

It's still there. It never moved.

I'm not surprised.

What do you mean?

I didn't think we would get clear of it.

Skipper, I don't understand.

Maybe you'd like to tell them, professor?

Then I will.

Up here, there is no gravity,

no air resistance, nothing.

We could stay

suspended in space forever...

and that goes for anything

outside the ship too.

Why does the b*mb stick

when we accelerate?

With no gravity or air resistance,

the magnetic attraction...

of two metal objects

is enough to keep them together.

When we accelerate,

we drag the b*mb with us.

The magnetic attraction

of the ship's too small.

It's a fact. Even Professor Merrity's

colleagues recognized it.

That's why they gave the b*mb

its own propulsion.

Now that that's failed,

we can blast as much as we like.

The b*mb will still come with us.

Looks as if I had good reason

to be concerned.

The way things turned out, you did.

- Commander, can't you think of something?

- It's not going to be that easy.

Well, don't just stand there

and say it's not going to be easy.

Professor, if there's a way, we'll find it.

Contact Thunder Hill. They may be able

to come up with some suggestion.

- What's the time, Lefty?

- Eleven forty-two.

That means we've still got more than

nine hours. Come with me, Larry.

Hello?

Oh, hello, Tony. I'm so glad you called.

Why, yes, I had a wonderful evening.

- I'd love a drink.

- We interrupt this program...

- for news of the Stardust.

- What did you say?

- A bulletin announces that the b*mb...

- Hold on a minute.

Due to be exploded

at 9 p.m. tonight has been released.

The b*mb, however, has become

attached to the rear of the rocket ship...

and there appears to be

some difficulty in dislodging it.

Doctor, all we want are a few facts.

Please, I'm not holding anything back.

- I don't know any more than you.

- Can't you give a simple explanation?

- Why does the b*mb stick to the ship?

- Above the atmosphere...

the magnetic attraction

of a larger body from a smaller one...

is greater than upon Earth.

But you must have known about this

before the Stardust took off.

The b*mb was fitted with its own

propulsion unit to take it clear.

Something has gone wrong

and the b*mb cannot be cleared.

- May I quote you on this?

- Yes.

Now, please, gentlemen,

you must excuse us. I'm sorry.

But can't you give us any more on this?

- Airlock's ready, skipper.

- Okay, Lefty.

There's only one thing to be done.

You must get us down.

Once we land, we can get away in time.

We might. What about everyone else

in the area where we land?

The desert. We can land

in the Sahara desert.

Radio them to have a plane ready.

No. You've been too convincing

about the effect of this expl*si*n.

Is there any way to render

the b*mb harmless?

Up here? Impossible. It's a waste of time

going out there. We must land.

You seem to have forgotten something.

Once we get close to Earth's atmosphere...

the b*mb will be affected by gravity

and drop to the Earth.

I'm going out to see what went wrong.

The helmet.

- He doesn't realize what's gonna happen.

- I think he does. We all do.

We go down, the b*mb goes with us. That

means the destruction of millions of people.

You fools. Don't you realize

the b*mb's going off at 9:00?

- Yes, we do. You've told us often enough.

- Lefty, go up and cut the jets.

You'll be too close to those stone tubes.

We don't know about the radiation.

- The suit will protect me.

- I hope so.

- What's he doing?

- He's pushing the b*mb. It's moving.

Yes, it's moving. It's right behind us.

We can still get away. Start the jets.

- And leave the skipper out there?

- It's no good, look.

He can't do it.

He can't do it.

So far we've had

nothing but talk. Just talk.

The point is that the rocket ship

must not come down with the b*mb.

But we mustn't forget

there are human beings up there.

We know that,

but there are only six of them.

If they bring that b*mb down,

heaven knows how many will be k*lled.

It's impossible to calculate where

the b*mb will land. It might be anywhere.

Colonel, what's your opinion?

Gentlemen, |I've been connected

with the T-1 project for over three years.

To me it's the most important thing

in the world.

But at this moment, I'm more concerned

about those people up there.

If this b*mb

remains attached to the rocket...

- is there no way it can be made harmless?

- It's almost impossible.

The primer operates

by a process of corrosion.

Even if the detonator were removed,

the process would continue...

and would result

in the expl*si*n as planned.

Doesn't Merrity know this? Is there

a chance he may remove the primer?

I can't say. I'd try it myself,

but instead of stopping the process...

it's possible that removing the

detonator might explode the b*mb sooner.

It looks as if the b*mb

must be exploded above the stratosphere.

Has anybody any ideas?

Professor Bechstein.

I'm an astronomer,

not an expert in expl*sives.

All I can say is that the relatively

small mass of the b*mb...

will keep on being attracted

to the rocket's greater mass...

unless something larger

than the rocket takes its place.

Do you think a meteor could do it?

Possibly. But the chances of a large meteor

passing close enough to achieve that effect...

are no greater than finding a particular

grain of sand at the bottom of the ocean.

The only possibility is some method

of propelling the b*mb from the rocket.

But if such a method was available,

there would be no difficulty up there.

No, gentlemen, I can't see any hope.

Professor Blandford, you must radio the

Stardust and order them to stay up there.

That means a death sentence

for the crew.

We have no choice.

That's all, gentlemen.

Well, that's it, professor.

Metal fatigue and your precious

propulsion unit split open like a bad egg.

- Any ideas, Mike?

- I'm afraid not.

What are you looking glum about?

Not everybody gets a chance...

to go out the way we will. Personally,

I'm gonna get a big bang out of it.

- You all agree that we stay up here?

- Yes.

I'm not.

I still say we can land in the desert.

We've been over that before. Pipe down.

- How dare you...

- Commander, we're all with you.

- I'm gonna be sorry that this lady...

- Don't get sentimental about me.

- I have only myself to blame.

- Well, I'm not prepared to die like this.

Start the jets!

Get him back.

- You all right, Mike?

- Start those jets!

- Let's get him in the chair.

- He'll be all right now.

- Of all the crazy things to do.

- He was hysterical.

- He didn't know what he was doing.

- Jimmy, can't I get a message through?

- If I could send a story I'd feel better.

- No, the atmospherics are terrible.

They lost contact for the time being.

Too bad. I wonder what they're thinking

about us down there.

Dr. Blandford.

- Any news from them, sir?

- Radio report, no contact.

- Will you inform General Barnett?

- Yes, sir.

I'm trying to get through

to the president's aide.

- Is there much chance even if...?

- Hello? Top priority.

Cross circuit 3, please.

Hello, Captain Carter?

Colonel Galloway here.

You've got to get

the president's authorization...

for YX-140 to take off. It's the

last chance for these people up there.

At least there's a possibility that she'll

reach the rocket ship and get off the crew.

Yeah. Yes, I'll leave everything to you.

Remember, there's only four hours left.

Right.

What is YX-140?

Our newest jet. Top-secret.

This latest model hasn't even been flown

yet, but now's as good a time as any.

- But what's its range?

- Sergeant Kelly, please.

- Any hope of it getting up there?

- I don't know. Nobody knows.

Kelly, get my car around here right away.

It's the fastest thing we've ever had.

Well, it's nearly 5:00.

We haven't much time.

- What possessed you to stow away?

- Oh.

What do you mean, "oh"?

I tried to tell you a while ago,

but you said you weren't interested.

I'm interested now.

Why did I stow away?

Because in spite of what I said, I couldn't

see this happen and not be in on it.

What about the evil of science

and the senseless waste of life?

- What's changed your mind?

- I haven't changed my mind.

My brother died testing a jet

that was not a success.

He believed in it.

He talked just as you do.

I'm sorry, but I admire

your brother's attitude more than yours.

- My father had the same attitude.

- Your father?

He knew that space flight was possible as

soon as they found the right kind of fuel.

He spent his life searching for it.

Not that he got anywhere.

He was blown up in his own experiment.

- James Sheldon Hamilton.

- How did you know?

The fuel we're using

is a development of his work.

If it hadn't been for his experiments,

we couldn't have got up here.

It still seems to me that stowing away

would be the last thing you'd do.

It wasn't planned exactly.

What about that story you wrote?

"Is it necessary? Is it worthwhile?"

Then you hide on the ship

and come along and see.

It doesn't make sense, does it?

I expect it does,

really. It's in your blood.

Your brother would understand it,

so would your father.

You're not in such bad company

after all, are you?

No, I'm not.

- Dr. Blandford. I must see him.

- I'm sorry, you can't without a pass.

Please. I'm Mrs. Noble.

My husband's in the Stardust.

Wait a minute, Mrs. Noble. I'll check.

Memo, General Barnett in the w*r Office.

- Teleprint?

- Yes.

"Unable to contact Stardust.

Last message received 1930 hours.

Blandford."

Atmospherics are bad. For a few minutes,

we received their telex.

- Try again.

- If it clears...

- You'll keep on trying.

- Captain Ross, Mrs. Noble.

Hello, Mrs. Noble.

I'm afraid we haven't much news.

- Is he all right?

- Mrs. Noble.

We nearly got through to them just now.

What are the chances, Dr. Blandford?

- Very small.

- But why can't they get down?

- What's wrong with the Stardust?

- Nothing at all.

They can't come down

without bringing the b*mb.

They could get down, but they won't.

- That is what I mean.

- There is a slight hope.

A plane has gone up.

She might reach the Stardust...

although we don't exactly know.

- Any luck, Jimmy?

- No joy, skipper.

The static's sounding terrible.

Feeling better, professor?

Yes, thank you.

- I'd like to apologize, commander.

- That's all right. Forget it.

Anyone like some coffee? Sandwich?

- Professor?

- Thank you, ma'am.

I don't know about a sandwich,

but I'll help you get the coffee.

You ever been in love, Lefty?

Yes, I have.

- Well, give. Who was it?

- My wife.

- Your wife? I didn't know you were married.

- She's dead.

- Oh. Oh, I'm sorry.

- There's no need to be sorry.

We were very happy together.

I've known you three years,

but I've never seen you having a good time.

- We have different ideas of it.

- You can tell if a guy's having a good time.

Can you?

Would you know

I was enjoying myself now?

- Are you crazy?

- No, I don't think so.

I've always wanted to achieve

something, and I've done it.

To get up here.

What's happened now can't be helped.

Man, that's one way of looking at it.

- What do you make the time, Lefty?

- Just one hour to go, professor.

At least we know

we've only got one hour.

What about the guy who just steps off

in front of a bus, and bingo?

I met the right girl,

got her to agree to marry me...

- and the story stops right there.

- Good place for it to stop, Jimmy.

Why so sour, Larry?

You and Barbara are happy.

Not really, Mike.

Barbara hated my work at Thunder Hill.

We were very happy once,

but that was long ago.

- Coffee?

- Here are the sandwiches.

Lefty, I want to go and have

another look at that b*mb.

- Will you come with me?

- Would it do any good?

We can try. It's better than sitting here

waiting for it to go off.

Will you come?

- What kind do you want, cheese or ham?

- I'll take cheese.

Okay. Thanks.

Thunder Hill to Stardust.

Thunder Hill to Stardust. Can you hear me?

Hello, Stardust to Thunder Hill.

I am receiving you on Beam 3. Over.

Larry.

This is Barbara.

Your wife, Larry.

Come back to me, Larry.

Please, you must come back.

Hello? Hello? Can you hear me, Stardust?

I'm still receiving you clearly. Stand by.

Tell Barbara everything's all right.

We will.

I have a message for your telex operator...

James Wheeler.

It says, "I'm still wearing your ring."

And it's signed "Ellen."

Your message received and understood.

Thank you.

Blandford. can you relay a message to the

World Press Service from Miss Hamilton?

- My report will follow.

- Yes, just a minute.

Ready.

- Right.

- This is Kim Hamilton.

Now that I have shared this experience...

I feel that the mission of

the Stardust will be justified...

if the expl*si*n up here shows people

the stupidity of a future w*r.

No matter what happens to...

They don't hear you.

I've lost them.

Five years of sweat

and disappointments building this ship...

just to have it blown to bits.

I don't mind going myself...

but I hate to think of that b*mb

taking the Stardust with it.

Hurry up, before they find

where we've gone.

Tell me something.

If things had turned out differently,

would you have married me?

I think I would have.

Maybe it would've taken a lot

more time to get around to it.

Mike. The airlock light's on.

Lefty? Professor Merrity?

Lefty?

Mike.

You can't. You'll break the vacuum.

I can't see them.

They're behind the stone tubes.

- What do they think they can do?

- They must have felt they had to try.

- They couldn't stand the waiting any longer.

- Yeah, well, the waiting's nearly over.

Mike.

There was a chance the fuse might

have worked, but the acid's eaten through.

If we use our own propulsions,

we can get it away...

but it'll take both of us to do it.

- It's going.

- They've done it. Mike.

It's possible to get away now.

And leave them? Oh, Mike, you can't.

You mustn't.

That's why they went out there.

That's what they want us to do.

- Larry, take the turbos.

- Mike.

Jimmy, get in your seat.

Larry, switch on all jets.

Quick, man.

Something's wrong, Mike.

The jets won't fire.

The airlock door is still down.

Takes a few seconds to get the pressure

back to normal. Keep the switches down.