Thunderbird 3 docked with Thunderbird 5.
As well as providing space-rescue capability, Thunderbird 3 also serves as the primary supply vessel to the space station Thunderbird 5. The spaceship docks by entering nose-first through TB5's docking shaft, specifically-designed to match its diameter. Once the two vessels are tightly clamped together, and air-pressure is properly equalized, an airlock then provides access to the main control room aboard TB5.
Crew Change-Over[]
Scott usually accompanies either Alan or John to the space-station in order to relieve the other one and return them to Earth. A farewell for one brother as they bid goodbye for a month, and a long awaited greeting from the other.
Cutaway Drawing[]
As part of the "Construction of Thunderbird 5" feature in issue 5 of Thunderbirds The Comic, artist Graham Bleathman drew a cutaway drawing showing how the two craft securely lock together.
- A: Hangar, Thunderbird 5.
- B: Sensors in ring on Thunderbird 3 guide nose into Docking port.
- C: Electro-magnets clamp the ring of TB3 forming an airtight seal. Air is then pumped into the hangar.
- D: Once the correct air pressure is achieved, TB3's airlock can be opened.
- E: Astronauts can proceed along Access Ramp to interior of Satellite.
- F: Airlock door to Inspection Platform.
Trivia[]
- The docking process is seen only in The Uninvited and The Mighty Atom. The undocking process is seen in Danger at Ocean Deep and Ricochet. In The Cham-Cham, we only see the 2 craft in a docked position.