Orbiter X

Episode

Title

First
Broadcast

Repeated

Comments

The First Step To The Stars

19590928

20160411 (BBC7)
20180212 (BBC7)
20180213 (BBC7)
20200203 (BBC7)
20200204 (BBC7)
20220711 (BBC7)

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure - first broadcast in 1959.

A bold plan to conquer space begins with prefabricated components of space station 'Orbiter X' being transported up from Earth.

But the task proves perilous.

Shaped like a giant wheel, 'Orbiter X' is designed to circle Earth, travelling in a rapid polar orbit - boasting synthetic gravity, produced by the rotation around the central hub.

First of fourteen parts.

Fact and fiction were curiously interwoven, as a fortnight before the first BBC broadcast, the Soviet Luna 2 space probe crash landed on the Moon.

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1959.

A space station's construction is halted by UFOs.

Conflict In Space

19591005

20160412 (BBC7)
20180213 (BBC7)
20180214 (BBC7)
20200204 (BBC7)
20200205 (BBC7)
20220712 (BBC7)

The crew of space station Orbiter 2 discover why their sister ship has been disabled – and who is responsible...

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

UFO Commander - Arthur Lawrence

Control Officer Camm - Francis Hall

Radio Operator - John Matthews

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.

Orbiter 2's crew discover why their sister ship has been disabled and who is responsible.

The Master Plan

19591012

20160413 (BBC7)
20180214 (BBC7)
20180215 (BBC7)
20200205 (BBC7)
20200206 (BBC7)
20220713 (BBC7)

The captive crew of space station, Orbiter 2 uncover the true nature of the aliens and where they have been imprisoned.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Greta Ravel - Irene Prador

Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.

Orbiter 2's crew discover why the aliens have abducted them.

Flight To The Moon

19591019

20160414 (BBC7)
20180215 (BBC7)
20180216 (BBC7)
20200206 (BBC7)
20200207 (BBC7)
20220714 (BBC7)

The crew of space station Orbiter 2 are captured, by the sinister Unity organisation and taken to the Moon.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.

The crew are captured in space by the sinister Unity organisation and taken to the Moon.

Inside The Moon Station

19591026

20160415 (BBC7)
20180216 (BBC7)
20180217 (BBC7)
20200207 (BBC7)
20200208 (BBC7)
20220715 (BBC7)

The crew of space station Orbiter 2 have been taken to the Moon by the shadowy Unity organisation.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

With:

Ian Sadler

John Cazabon

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959.

Orbiter 2's crew have been taken to the Moon by the shadowy Unity organisation.

Breakaway

19591102

20160418 (BBC7)
20180219 (BBC7)
20180220 (BBC7)
20200210 (BBC7)
20200211 (BBC7)
20220718 (BBC7)

Captain McClelland and Flight Engineer Hicks plan to use an unmanned probe in their desperate bid to return space station 'Orbiter X' to Earth's orbit.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Neasen - Ian Sadler

Letmann - John Cazabon

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.

McLelland and Hicks plan to use an unmanned probe in a desperate bid to return to Earth.

The Price Of Survival

19591109

20160419 (BBC7)
20180220 (BBC7)
20180221 (BBC7)
20200211 (BBC7)
20200212 (BBC7)
20220719 (BBC7)

Unity are plotting to commandeer the yet to be assembled Orbiter X space station for their own evil purposes.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Neasen - Ian Sadler

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.

Unity progress their plans to commandeer the still unassembled Orbiter X.

Marooned In Space

19591116

20160420 (BBC7)
20180221 (BBC7)
20180222 (BBC7)
20200212 (BBC7)
20200213 (BBC7)
20220720 (BBC7)

The evil Unity organization sets about planting an insider within the Commonwealth Space Project headquarters.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.

Unity sets about planting an insider within the Commonwealth Space Project headquarters.

Operation Salvage

19591123

20160421 (BBC7)
20180222 (BBC7)
20180223 (BBC7)
20200213 (BBC7)
20200214 (BBC7)
20220721 (BBC7)

Captain Kent of the CSP embarks on a rescue mission, whilst the crew of Orbiter 2 make plans to get home.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty

Captain Knight - John Graham

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.

Return To Woomera

19591130

20160422 (BBC7)
20180223 (BBC7)
20180224 (BBC7)
20200214 (BBC7)
20200215 (BBC7)
20220722 (BBC7)

Patched up Orbiter 2 heads for Earth - but will CSP realise that the incoming incommunicado ship is friendly?

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell

First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.

A patched-up Orbiter 2 heads for Earth.

A Flight Against Time

19591207

20160425 (BBC7)
20180226 (BBC7)
20180227 (BBC7)
20200217 (BBC7)
20200218 (BBC7)
20220725 (BBC7)

With the Commonwealth Space Project now aware of Unity's plans, Britton, McLelland and Hicks return to Orbiter X.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

Captain Knight - John Graham

Producer: Charles Maxwell

With CSP now aware of Unity's plans, Britton, McLelland and Hicks return to Orbiter X.

Building The Space Station

19591214

20160426 (BBC7)
20180227 (BBC7)
20180228 (BBC7)
20200218 (BBC7)
20200219 (BBC7)
20220726 (BBC7)

Britton, McLelland and Hicks play along with Unity's evil plan to commandeer space station, Orbiter X.

BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Written by BD Chapman.

Producer: Charles Maxwell

Britton, McLelland and Hicks play along with Unity's plans to commandeer the space station

The Net Closes

19591221

20160427 (BBC7)
20180228 (BBC7)
20180301 (BBC7)
20200219 (BBC7)
20200220 (BBC7)
20220727 (BBC7)

Can some quick thinking by Britton, McLelland and Hicks lead the Commonwealth Space Project to locate Unity's HQ on Earth?

Penultimate episode of BD Chapman's space thriller.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Captain Knight - John Graham

Greta Ravel - Irene Prador

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell

Can Britton, McLelland and Hicks's quick-thinking lead CSP to locate Unity's HQ on Earth?

The Final Round

19591228

20160428 (BBC7)
20180301 (BBC7)
20180302 (BBC7)
20200220 (BBC7)
20200221 (BBC7)
20220728 (BBC7)

The battle is on.

Can the Commonwealth Space Project thwart Unity's plan for world domination?

Conclusion of BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959.

Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup

Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence

Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset

Captain Knight - John Graham

Greta Ravel - Irene Prador

Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook

Producer: Charles Maxwell.

Britton, McLelland and Hicks are back on Earth. Can CSP foil Unity's plan for domination?

Episodes

Episode	Title	First Broadcast	Repeated	Comments
01	The First Step To The Stars	19590928	20160411 (BBC7) 20180212 (BBC7) 20180213 (BBC7) 20200203 (BBC7) 20200204 (BBC7) 20220711 (BBC7)	BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure - first broadcast in 1959. A bold plan to conquer space begins with prefabricated components of space station 'Orbiter X' being transported up from Earth. But the task proves perilous. Shaped like a giant wheel, 'Orbiter X' is designed to circle Earth, travelling in a rapid polar orbit - boasting synthetic gravity, produced by the rotation around the central hub. First of fourteen parts. Fact and fiction were curiously interwoven, as a fortnight before the first BBC broadcast, the Soviet Luna 2 space probe crash landed on the Moon. Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty Producer: Charles Maxwell. First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in September 1959. A space station's construction is halted by UFOs.
02	Conflict In Space	19591005	20160412 (BBC7) 20180213 (BBC7) 20180214 (BBC7) 20200204 (BBC7) 20200205 (BBC7) 20220712 (BBC7)	The crew of space station Orbiter 2 discover why their sister ship has been disabled – and who is responsible... BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset UFO Commander - Arthur Lawrence Control Officer Camm - Francis Hall Radio Operator - John Matthews Producer: Charles Maxwell. First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959. Orbiter 2's crew discover why their sister ship has been disabled and who is responsible.
03	The Master Plan	19591012	20160413 (BBC7) 20180214 (BBC7) 20180215 (BBC7) 20200205 (BBC7) 20200206 (BBC7) 20220713 (BBC7)	The captive crew of space station, Orbiter 2 uncover the true nature of the aliens and where they have been imprisoned. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Greta Ravel - Irene Prador Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty Producer: Charles Maxwell. First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959. Orbiter 2's crew discover why the aliens have abducted them.
04	Flight To The Moon	19591019	20160414 (BBC7) 20180215 (BBC7) 20180216 (BBC7) 20200206 (BBC7) 20200207 (BBC7) 20220714 (BBC7)	The crew of space station Orbiter 2 are captured, by the sinister Unity organisation and taken to the Moon. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell. First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959. The crew are captured in space by the sinister Unity organisation and taken to the Moon.
05	Inside The Moon Station	19591026	20160415 (BBC7) 20180216 (BBC7) 20180217 (BBC7) 20200207 (BBC7) 20200208 (BBC7) 20220715 (BBC7)	The crew of space station Orbiter 2 have been taken to the Moon by the shadowy Unity organisation. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins With: Ian Sadler John Cazabon Producer: Charles Maxwell. First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in October 1959. Orbiter 2's crew have been taken to the Moon by the shadowy Unity organisation.
06	Breakaway	19591102	20160418 (BBC7) 20180219 (BBC7) 20180220 (BBC7) 20200210 (BBC7) 20200211 (BBC7) 20220718 (BBC7)	Captain McClelland and Flight Engineer Hicks plan to use an unmanned probe in their desperate bid to return space station 'Orbiter X' to Earth's orbit. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Neasen - Ian Sadler Letmann - John Cazabon Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959. McLelland and Hicks plan to use an unmanned probe in a desperate bid to return to Earth.
07	The Price Of Survival	19591109	20160419 (BBC7) 20180220 (BBC7) 20180221 (BBC7) 20200211 (BBC7) 20200212 (BBC7) 20220719 (BBC7)	Unity are plotting to commandeer the yet to be assembled Orbiter X space station for their own evil purposes. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Neasen - Ian Sadler Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins Producer: Charles Maxwell First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959. Unity progress their plans to commandeer the still unassembled Orbiter X.
08	Marooned In Space	19591116	20160420 (BBC7) 20180221 (BBC7) 20180222 (BBC7) 20200212 (BBC7) 20200213 (BBC7) 20220720 (BBC7)	The evil Unity organization sets about planting an insider within the Commonwealth Space Project headquarters. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959. Unity sets about planting an insider within the Commonwealth Space Project headquarters.
09	Operation Salvage	19591123	20160421 (BBC7) 20180222 (BBC7) 20180223 (BBC7) 20200213 (BBC7) 20200214 (BBC7) 20220721 (BBC7)	Captain Kent of the CSP embarks on a rescue mission, whilst the crew of Orbiter 2 make plans to get home. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty Captain Knight - John Graham Producer: Charles Maxwell First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959.
10	Return To Woomera	19591130	20160422 (BBC7) 20180223 (BBC7) 20180224 (BBC7) 20200214 (BBC7) 20200215 (BBC7) 20220722 (BBC7)	Patched up Orbiter 2 heads for Earth - but will CSP realise that the incoming incommunicado ship is friendly? BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Captain Jack Bradley - John Witty Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell First broadcast on the BBC Light Programme in November 1959. A patched-up Orbiter 2 heads for Earth.
11	A Flight Against Time	19591207	20160425 (BBC7) 20180226 (BBC7) 20180227 (BBC7) 20200217 (BBC7) 20200218 (BBC7) 20220725 (BBC7)	With the Commonwealth Space Project now aware of Unity's plans, Britton, McLelland and Hicks return to Orbiter X. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins Captain Knight - John Graham Producer: Charles Maxwell With CSP now aware of Unity's plans, Britton, McLelland and Hicks return to Orbiter X.
12	Building The Space Station	19591214	20160426 (BBC7) 20180227 (BBC7) 20180228 (BBC7) 20200218 (BBC7) 20200219 (BBC7) 20220726 (BBC7)	Britton, McLelland and Hicks play along with Unity's evil plan to commandeer space station, Orbiter X. BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Sir Charles Day - Leslie Perrins Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Written by BD Chapman. Producer: Charles Maxwell Britton, McLelland and Hicks play along with Unity's plans to commandeer the space station
13	The Net Closes	19591221	20160427 (BBC7) 20180228 (BBC7) 20180301 (BBC7) 20200219 (BBC7) 20200220 (BBC7) 20220727 (BBC7)	Can some quick thinking by Britton, McLelland and Hicks lead the Commonwealth Space Project to locate Unity's HQ on Earth? Penultimate episode of BD Chapman's space thriller. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Captain Knight - John Graham Greta Ravel - Irene Prador Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell Can Britton, McLelland and Hicks's quick-thinking lead CSP to locate Unity's HQ on Earth?
14	The Final Round	19591228	20160428 (BBC7) 20180301 (BBC7) 20180302 (BBC7) 20200220 (BBC7) 20200221 (BBC7) 20220728 (BBC7)	The battle is on. Can the Commonwealth Space Project thwart Unity's plan for world domination? Conclusion of BD Chapman's futuristic sci-fi adventure from 1959. Max Kramer - Gerik Schjelderup Gelbin - Arthur Lawrence Colonel Kent - Donald Bisset Captain Knight - John Graham Greta Ravel - Irene Prador Control Officer Brown - Peter Noel Cook Producer: Charles Maxwell. Britton, McLelland and Hicks are back on Earth. Can CSP foil Unity's plan for domination?