Target Luna

Target Luna
Episodes:	6
Year:	1960
Country:	United Kingdom
Seasons:	1
Seasons Breakdown:	(1) 6
Category:	Space
Colour:	No
Format:	Serial
Company:	An ABC Television Network Production
Creator:	Malcom Hulke and Eric Paice
Run Time (mins):	30
Language:	English
Type of Show:	Live Action
Status:	Ended
Broadcaster:	ITV
First Aired:
Last Aired:

Summary

The narrative is set at an island‑based rocket research station located off the coast of Scotland, although exterior sequences were filmed along the Essex shoreline. Professor Wedgwood, having recently achieved a successful manned spaceflight, invites his three children, Valerie, Geoffrey, and Jimmy, together with their pet hamster, Hamlet, to spend Easter at the facility. Upon arrival, the children discover preparations for a more ambitious undertaking: the first manned circumlunar mission.

The designated pilot, Flight Lieutenant Williams, is unexpectedly taken ill shortly before launch, jeopardising the experiment. In response, Jimmy, still dressed in his school blazer and tie, clandestinely assumes the pilot’s position and is launched into space.

During the mission, an electrical storm disrupts radio communication with Earth, leaving Jimmy to operate the spacecraft’s heating system unaided to avoid fatal exposure to extreme cold on the far side of the Moon. He completes the lunar circumnavigation successfully, maintaining a trajectory neither too slow, risking prolonged bombardment by cosmic particles, nor too fast, which would cause him to overshoot Earth entirely. Ultimately, ground control re‑establishes contact and guides him to a safe landing.

Cast

Professor Wedgewood DAVID MARKHAM, Jimmy Wedgewood MICHAEL HAMMOND, Valerie Wedgewood SYLVIA DAVIES, Geoffrey Wedgewood MICHAEL CRAZE, Mrs. Wedgewood ANNETTE KERR, Mr. Henderson FRANK FINLAY, Ian Murray JOHN CAIRNEY, Jean Cary DEBORAH STANSFORD, Dr. Stevens ROBERT STUART, Mr. Field MICHAEL VERNEY, Pat Maxwell PHYLLIS KENNY, Fl. Lt. Williams WILLIAM INGRAM.