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"Oh no! Virgil! We brought the wrong box!"
— Brains

"Sun Probe" is the eleventh episode of Thunderbirds season 1, first broadcast on 9th December 1965.

Plot[]

The retro rockets fail on a manned mission to retrieve matter from a solar prominence, putting the spaceship on collision course with the Sun. Thunderbird 3 and Thunderbird 2 are sent on a dual mission to transmit a radio signal that will remotely activate the Sun Probe's retros.

Storyline[]

Main article: Sun Probe/Storyline

Transcript[]

Main article: Sun Probe/Transcript

Cast[]

Regular Characters[]

Guest Characters[]

International Rescue Equipment Used[]

Non-International Rescue Equipment Used[]

Locations[]

Trivia[]

  • When broadcast in the 2-part 'cliff-hanger' format, the first instalment concludes with two external shots of Sun Probe successfully turning around and moving away from the Sun.
    • However, in the Australian version, part 1 ends after Thunderbirds 2 launches, and then the camera zooms in on the Sun, then screen fades to black.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of Brains' robot Braman.
  • The Sun Probe from The Perils of Penelope returns in this episode. It later returns again in Security Hazard, albeit as a flashback.
  • This episode, along with Ricochet, were edited together in the compilation film, In Outer Space.
  • Jeff states that this is Tin-Tin's first mission, which means this episode must take place before The Uninvited and Desperate Intruder.
  • Music from previous AP Films production Fireball XL5 can be heard as the Probe Rocket recovers the Solar Module.
  • This is the first out of three episodes in which Alan and Scott pilot Thunderbird 3, the other two being The Impostors and Ricochet.
  • Outside of the opening titles, this is the first episode where Thunderbird 1 does not appear. However, it is The Perils of Penelope that marks the first time it does not take part in a rescue mission.
  • This is only episode that has Tin-Tin directly participating in a rescue mission, again not counting her involvements in Desperate Intruder and The Uninvited.
  • Alan reveals that Thunderbird 3 has at least one escape capsule when he suggests that Tin-Tin should abandon ship (“Just give the word, and we’ll put you in a release capsule and get you to safety.”).
  • This episode marks the first time Thunderbird 3 is used on a rescue mission, as well as the first time Alan is seen in command of one.
  • This episode marks the first appearance of guest voice actor John Tate, who voices Camp.

Goofs[]

Main article: Sun Probe/Goofs

Alternate Versions[]

Thunderbirds: The Comic[]

Main article: Sun Probe (comic)

In 1992, several episodes of Thunderbirds were adapted into comic form for Fleetway's Thunderbirds The Comic series. Sun Probe was the second story to undergo this treatment. Likely written by Alan Fennell, the story's original author and the magazine's editor, and illustrated by Martin Stokes, the 12 page adaptation began in issue #6 and was spread over three issues, emulating the presentation of the 1960's TV Century 21 stories.

Foreign Titles[]

  • French: Vers le Soleil
  • German: Unternehmen Sonnensonde
  • Italian: Missione sole
  • Spanish: La Sonda del Sol; Sonda solar (DVD)
  • Dutch: Zonnesonde (VHS, DVD); Gevaarlijke koers (TV 1991)
  • Portuguese: Sonda Solar
  • Japanese: ロケット”太陽号”の危機
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