Thunderbirds (TV series)/Recap/S1/E11 Sun Probe
The Sun Probe, a daring attempt to retrieve solar matter directly from a coronal mass ejection, is launched without a hitch. Indeed, the whole mission goes swimmingly until it's time for the rocket to break solar orbit - the intense heat and radiation has jammed the controls as well as blocking override transmissions from Earth. Unless the Probe can break orbit, the heat and radiation will overwhelm and destroy the probe and the three astronauts inside.
Not so, cries International Rescue, launching a dual-pronged attempt. Thunderbird 2 flies to the Himalayas armed with a mobile computer and a transmitter truck - because, you know, a massive dish mounted on a halftrack has to be more powerful than Houston's satellite farm - while Thunderbird 3 blasts off to attempt to get close enough to fire the Probe's rockets by remote. The crew of TB3 succeed - but are themselves trapped! Fortunately, the trransmitter truck is able to get through to Thunderbird 3 and override their systems just in time.
- Continuity Nod - The Sun Probe rocket launch was seen earlier in The Perils of Penelope.
- Gravity Sucks - Especially when the gravity source is the freaking sun.
- Machine Monotone - Braman the Robot's speech.
- Negative Space Wedgie
- Robot Buddy - Braman the Robot.
- Space Is Noisy
- Take a Third Option: TB2 and TB3 have an equal chance of saving the rocket. So why not send them both? Turns out to be a pretty good idea.
- Tempting Fate
Brains: I don't think they're gonna make it.
Jeff: But everything's going fine!
Announcer: Wait. Something's gone wrong.