List of Space: 1999 weapons and equipment
Encyclopedia
This is a list of weapons and other equipment used by the personnel of Moonbase Alpha in the 1970s British science fiction television series Space: 1999
.
personal is an environmental suit
designed to withstand the hostile conditions of not only the moon but other environments encountered by the Alphans on alien worlds. A chest pack and a back pack are worn in these environments, secured with belts, and often worn during spaceflight
. Individuals are identified by their name on the helmet above the visor, and a number on the chest and back packs.
The CommLock (Portable Communication and Locking Device) is a hand-held, multi-function sensor/computer
/transceiver
designed for use on Moonbase Alpha and most extraterrestrial
space centres. Carried on the belt, it functions as a security key
(restricting access to sensitive and command areas), a transponder
(instantly pinpointing the location of its carrier), an audio/visual communications unit, and a programmable computer
. In the second series, the use of the CommLock was greatly diminished and the Alpha complex doors opened for any individual when approached (even in restricted areas as seen in "The Seance Spectre
") unless intentionally locked (as in "The Beta Cloud") or under an alien or paranormal influence (as in "The Lambda Factor
").
The CommLock is one of the best known and most enduring designs for Space: 1999. The original prop was designed around what then was "the world's smallest TV screen" (the 1971 "Integrated Circuit
" Panasonic
TR-001, 1.5"/35mm across). Current Cell Phones have many features anticipated in 1973, including audio-only and audio/video call capability, computer network access plus built-in infrared ports and short-range radio (Bluetooth
) for communicating with external devices.
carried by all Moonbase security details and aboard most Eagle Transporter
s as standard equipment. The gun is worn in a holster on the uniform belt, and meets most of the defensive/offensive requirements of Alpha personnel.
causing slowed heartbeat, respiration and immediate unconsciousness lasting for one hour. Prolonged continuous application can result in cardiac arrest and death. Unfortunately, many alien species have proven resistant to the stun setting.
and commonly carried by Security Teams in the second series. One variation, known as a 'rocket rifle', fires armour-piercing shells and was used, to no avail, against the maurauding robot in The Beta Cloud
.
Space: 1999
Space: 1999 is a British science-fiction television series that ran for two seasons and originally aired from 1975 to 1977. In the opening episode, nuclear waste from Earth stored on the Moon's far side explodes in a catastrophic accident on 13 September 1999, knocking the Moon out of orbit and...
.
Environmental suit
The orange spacesuit used by Moonbase AlphaMoonbase Alpha
Moonbase Alpha is a fictional moon base and the main setting in the science fiction television series Space: 1999.-Moonbase Alpha:Located in the Moon crater Plato and constructed out of quarried rock and ores, Moonbase Alpha is four kilometres in diameter and extends up to one kilometre in areas...
personal is an environmental suit
Environmental suit
An environmental suit is a suit designed specifically for a particular environment, usually one otherwise hostile to humans. An environment suit is typically a one-piece garment, and many types also feature a helmet or other covering for the head...
designed to withstand the hostile conditions of not only the moon but other environments encountered by the Alphans on alien worlds. A chest pack and a back pack are worn in these environments, secured with belts, and often worn during spaceflight
Spaceflight
Spaceflight is the act of travelling into or through outer space. Spaceflight can occur with spacecraft which may, or may not, have humans on board. Examples of human spaceflight include the Russian Soyuz program, the U.S. Space shuttle program, as well as the ongoing International Space Station...
. Individuals are identified by their name on the helmet above the visor, and a number on the chest and back packs.
CommLock
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
/transceiver
Transceiver
A transceiver is a device comprising both a transmitter and a receiver which are combined and share common circuitry or a single housing. When no circuitry is common between transmit and receive functions, the device is a transmitter-receiver. The term originated in the early 1920s...
designed for use on Moonbase Alpha and most extraterrestrial
Outer space
Outer space is the void that exists between celestial bodies, including the Earth. It is not completely empty, but consists of a hard vacuum containing a low density of particles: predominantly a plasma of hydrogen and helium, as well as electromagnetic radiation, magnetic fields, and neutrinos....
space centres. Carried on the belt, it functions as a security key
Security token
A security token may be a physical device that an authorized user of computer services is given to ease authentication...
(restricting access to sensitive and command areas), a transponder
Transponder
In telecommunication, the term transponder has the following meanings:...
(instantly pinpointing the location of its carrier), an audio/visual communications unit, and a programmable computer
Computer
A computer is a programmable machine designed to sequentially and automatically carry out a sequence of arithmetic or logical operations. The particular sequence of operations can be changed readily, allowing the computer to solve more than one kind of problem...
. In the second series, the use of the CommLock was greatly diminished and the Alpha complex doors opened for any individual when approached (even in restricted areas as seen in "The Seance Spectre
The Seance Spectre
"The Seance Spectre" is the twentieth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Donald James; the director was Peter Medak. The original title was 'The Mutiny'. The final shooting script is dated 16 September 1976...
") unless intentionally locked (as in "The Beta Cloud") or under an alien or paranormal influence (as in "The Lambda Factor
The Lambda Factor
"The Lambda Factor" is the nineteenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Terrance Dicks; the director was Charles Crichton. The final shooting script is dated 6 August 1976, with amendments dated 2 September, 15 September, 27 September, 28 September, 29...
").
The CommLock is one of the best known and most enduring designs for Space: 1999. The original prop was designed around what then was "the world's smallest TV screen" (the 1971 "Integrated Circuit
Integrated circuit
An integrated circuit or monolithic integrated circuit is an electronic circuit manufactured by the patterned diffusion of trace elements into the surface of a thin substrate of semiconductor material...
" Panasonic
Panasonic
Panasonic is an international brand name for Japanese electric products manufacturer Panasonic Corporation, which was formerly known as Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd...
TR-001, 1.5"/35mm across). Current Cell Phones have many features anticipated in 1973, including audio-only and audio/video call capability, computer network access plus built-in infrared ports and short-range radio (Bluetooth
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a proprietary open wireless technology standard for exchanging data over short distances from fixed and mobile devices, creating personal area networks with high levels of security...
) for communicating with external devices.
Personnel side arms
There are two versions of the Stun Gun which is a compact, lightweight, directed-energy weaponDirected-energy weapon
A directed-energy weapon emits energy in an aimed direction without the means of a projectile. It transfers energy to a target for a desired effect. Intended effects may be non-lethal or lethal...
carried by all Moonbase security details and aboard most Eagle Transporter
Eagle (Space: 1999)
The Eagle Transporter is a fictional spacecraft and the iconic image of the 1970s television series Space: 1999. The Eagles serve as the primary spacecraft of Moonbase Alpha, which has a fleet of them. The Eagles are primarily used to explore alien planets, defend Moonbase Alpha from attack, and to...
s as standard equipment. The gun is worn in a holster on the uniform belt, and meets most of the defensive/offensive requirements of Alpha personnel.
Stun gun
The standard Stun Gun is permanently set to fire the 'stun effect', also known as neuronic concussion. Carried by authorised Moonbase personnel, when fired, it affects the central nervous systemCentral nervous system
The central nervous system is the part of the nervous system that integrates the information that it receives from, and coordinates the activity of, all parts of the bodies of bilaterian animals—that is, all multicellular animals except sponges and radially symmetric animals such as jellyfish...
causing slowed heartbeat, respiration and immediate unconsciousness lasting for one hour. Prolonged continuous application can result in cardiac arrest and death. Unfortunately, many alien species have proven resistant to the stun setting.
Stun/kill gun
The Stun/Kill Gun is the same model as the Stun Gun but equipped with a "stun/kill" setting selector. Carried only by security teams and survey parties, the weapon, on the "kill" setting, fires a short-duration charge of sufficient force to penetrate protective clothing and cause massive internal damage. In extreme cases, a Stun/Kill Gun can be mechanically modified to discharge its entire energy charge in a single, massive four-beamed blast.Hand-held armor piercing laser
A hand-held armor-piercing laser capable of destroying a spaceshipLaser rifles
Often seen on the weapons rack of the EaglesEagle (Space: 1999)
The Eagle Transporter is a fictional spacecraft and the iconic image of the 1970s television series Space: 1999. The Eagles serve as the primary spacecraft of Moonbase Alpha, which has a fleet of them. The Eagles are primarily used to explore alien planets, defend Moonbase Alpha from attack, and to...
and commonly carried by Security Teams in the second series. One variation, known as a 'rocket rifle', fires armour-piercing shells and was used, to no avail, against the maurauding robot in The Beta Cloud
The Beta Cloud
"The Beta Cloud" is the fourteenth episode of the second series of Space: 1999 . The screenplay was written by Charles Woodgrove ; the director was Robert Lynn. The final shooting script is dated 11 June 1976...
.
External links
- Moonbase Alpha Technical Notebook
- Eagle Transporter Forum - Discussion board with main emphasis on the Eagle Transporter.
- Space 1999 Catacombs - Defense Guide In depth breakdown of the defense weapons of Moonbase Alpha.