At Sentinel Base, a rocket is being prepped for launch. The entire launch is being controlled and run by a computer, which is housed in a separate room within a building. In another room, Professor Marshall visits Power, who is overseeing the launch. She says she's here to check the fault, but Power says the computer has cleared it already. Marshall says it's four hours to blast off, so she'll leave him to it -or rather, leave the computer to it.

At Tracy Island, Jeff says that these automated countdowns and computer controlled launchings are very different from his day. Brains says it's progress, but Jeff says it just doesn't seem to have the same excitement and adventure about it. He's about to tell a story when Tin-Tin comes in with her portable TV. Jeff asks her to turn the volume down a little bit, but Tin-Tin says Michelle and the Asteroids are on -they're great! Jeff doesn't know about great, but thinks they're certainly loud. On the TV screen, DJ Rick O'Shea says that's just about it for today. He asks viewers to tune in tomorrow, and remember, it's all the way with KLA! Alan says he doesn't like Rick.

Brains says modern music is too repetitive for his tastes, but he admits the rhythm has a certain hypnotic effect. Tin-Tin thinks Alan is just jealous, but Alan asks why he'd be jealous of that clown. Jeff tells them they're overlooking one important point: the KLA broadcasts are coming from a pirate satellite. Tin-Tin asks what harm it does, but Jeff says it's dangerous. The many satellites orbiting the world travel in an exact internationally controlled path. But the KLA satellite isn't controlled, and it could cause a very serious accident.

In space, the KLA satellite has two people in it: Rick and Loman. Rick tells Loman to get it right -the bullet sound effect needs to be played whenever he says his name. He tells Loman he loused it up twice during the last session, but Loman doubts anyone was foolish enough to be tuned in. Rick thinks that's very funny, but then asks where breakfast is. Loman says it should be ready, and comes back with two bowls of honey crunch crispies. Rick doesn't want this again, but Loman says they advertise them and got a year's free supply.

Back at the Sentinel Base, the hangar moves back, leaving the rocket on the launch pad. Marshall goes to see Power and tells him that his transfer to the area control division is through. Power says that's great, then says he'll be sorry to leave here. Marshall says she understands, as automated launchings can be very boring. The computer continues to work, and states there is 60 seconds until launch.

The timer reaches zero and the rocket blasts off successfully. After being in the air for a short time, the computer activates the next stage, which causes part of the rocket to break away. Marshall says everything here seems under control and tells Power she'll seem him again before he leaves.

The computer suddenly starts bleeping. Power prints off a readout from the computer and takes a look at it. He tells Marshall that the rocket's second stage has failed to separate. Marshall says this looks bad, so tells him to switch to manual control. Power does so and tries to activate the emergency cut-off, but there's a negative response. Marshall says it looks like they have a rouge bird on their hands. Power keeps trying, but says the fault won't clear.

Marshall tells him to contact the ICS for clearance, as they're going to have to abort this rocket. Power calls the International Space Control and tells them about the stage failure on their rocket. He wants clearance to destroy it, so the Commander there says they'll calculate the clear station and inform him. Power tells Marshall this is the first rocket he's lost.

Marshall tells him that these things happen, which is why they have the ISC. If the ISC didn't give them confirmation, there's every danger of destroying another satellite. But with a a complete record, the ISC can allocate an area of space clear of all other orbits. In the KLA satellite, Rick tells Loman he's got something. He asks him how high they orbit. He finds out their average is near one two eight, so he's got a good slogan: "the station that's great, from one to eight!". Loman says that's fantastic.

The ISC contacts Sentinel Base and gives Power an area reference. Power puts the information into the computer and tells Marshall that everything is set -the rocket will detonate in 38 seconds. The rocket is already in space, and zooms off towards the coordinates. Power gets ready to hit the detonation button on the computer.

As the rocket continues to move on, the KLA satellite happens to be right by it. Power hits the detonation button, causing the rocket to explode. Marshall tells Power that everyone becomes involved in a bad launch, so he shouldn't blame himself. Power says he just wishes his last one from here hadn't turned out this way. Marshall says there's one consolation: no lives were endangered.

But in space, the KLA satellite has been damaged. Rick and Loman are both alright, but they don't know what happened. Rick asks if it was a meteorite, but Loman says it was some sort of explosion that he's going to have to check. Rick says it's a mess in here, but Loman says he's more worried about the external damage. Rick says they're on the air in half an hour, but Loman tells him he can't be thinking of carrying on like nothing happened. Rick says why not -as long as they're in one piece, the show goes on.

Elsewhere in space, Thunderbird 3 leaves Thunderbird 5. Jeff tries to contact John in Thunderbird 5, but can't get through to him. He contacts Thunderbird 3 instead and asks what the situation is. Virgil says they transferred the replacement module to Thunderbird 5, but it'll be three hours before it's operational. It's quite a job, so Gordon has stayed to help John. Brains says it's a routine change of components, but it takes time.

Jeff says he knows, but he doesn't like the idea of Thunderbird 5 being non-operational. He just hopes their assistance is not required in the next three hours. In the KLA satellite, Loman says he needs more time to assess the damage. Rick thinks he worries too much, and whilst Loman wants to go outside and take a look, Rick says he can't, as they're on in two minutes. He tells Loman to concentrate, as the show then begins. Rick says hello to everyone and says his name.

Loman eventually remember to press the button to get the bullet sound to play, although he does it late. Rick has the first song of the day start playing, then goes to talk to Loman. He tells him he was late again, but Loman says he's got more important things to think about. Rick is about to start threatening him, but Loman tells him he'd better get back, as the tape is ending.

At Tracy Island, Alan watches Tin-Tin dancing to the music. He asks her if she ever stops watching Rick O'Shea, as he's a pain. Tin-Tin tells him to not be silly, which leads to the two of them almost having an argument until Grandma tells them to stop. She says they shouldn't let Brains and Virgil come back to find them quarrelling. Outside, Thunderbird 3 arrives at the island and lands.

In the KLA satellite, Rick is about to play the next song when the entire satellite briefly shakes. Loman says he's cutting transmission and tells Rick they're in serious trouble. He checks the orbital control and says they've moved in orbit -that explosion has given them a slight deceleration. He tells Rick they're now in a long, slow decent, as if they'd fired their retros. They're heading for the Earth, but Rick asks what the problem is, as they're built for re-entry -they had to come down sometime anyway.

Loman says not without braking parachutes, and points out that there is a fault with them. Loman says they have nothing to slow them down, they're now heading for re-entry and annihilation! He says he'll going to have to go outside, something he should have done in the first place. He suits up and then heads into the airlock. Rick closes the door behind him.

He then opens the outer door, allowing Loman to go out. Rick starts messing around with the controls and tries pressing the bullet ricochet button multiple times. He thinks a kid could do this! Outside, Loman gets to the damaged area and tells Rick things aren't good, he's going to have to come back to get a laser. He's not sure if he can fix this.

He gets back into the satellite, so Rick closes the outer door. Rick then tries to open the airlock door, but it doesn't move. He keeps trying to flick the switch back and forth, but the door is jammed! Loman tells him he's got to get him out of here.

Tin-Tin was listening to the KLA broadcast, but then her TV set stops working. She thinks Brains can fix it, so she takes it to him. He takes it apart but says it's in perfect order. He's checked it right out and there's nothing wrong, so it must be the station. In the satellite, Rick has taken a panel off the door controls, but he says it's no good, he just doesn't know about these things! He tells Loman that the circuit diagram might as well be in Chinese.

Loman says he doesn't want to sound dramatic, but his air supply won't last forever. Rick tells him not to worry, he'll get him out of there... then whispers to himself he wish he knew how. He then decides to call for help instead. After switching the transmission on, he states that station KLA is in real trouble and they need help urgently. And at Thunderbird 5...

...the call isn't picked up, because John and Gordon are still replacing the module. John says it looks like it'll be another two hours before they're back in business, so in the meantime, International Rescue is non-operational. Rick continues to put out a call for help, then goes back to Loman and asks him if he's alright. Meanwhile, Tin-Tin tells Alan she's sure she just heard the TV. Alan thought she said it needed fixing, but she says she'll just take a quick look. But when she checks, there is nothing on the screen.

Rick decides he'll have to keep trying, so he goes on the air again to make another emergency call. Tin-Tin then hears it on her TV set and says she thinks she has an assignment for International Rescue. brains sets up a direct radio link with the satellite, so Jeff attempts to make contact. Rick immediately starts to babble on, so Jeff tells him to take it easy and tell him clearly and slowly what happened.

Rick explains about the explosion and how they were knocked out of orbit. Jeff tells him to stay tuned to this frequency, they'll be with him as fast as they can. He then tells Virgil and Brains to launch Thunderbird 2, whilst Alan and Scott are to take Thunderbird 3. Alan thinks it's just his luck they guy they're going to save is Rick O'Shea. Thunderbird 2 rolls out and takes off.

Thunderbird 3 also blasts off. Rick tries to talk to Loman, but doesn't get a response other than a groan. Rick tells him to hold on, but hopes International Rescue will be here soon -it's clear Loman won't last much longer.

Alan then contacts him and says they are approximately three minutes away. He and Scott can then see the satellite up ahead. They also figure out that it is losing altitude, so Alan says they'll have to work fast before they begin re-entry. Scott tells Rick they're going to come up alongside, and once they're in position, he'll need to open the outer airlock door.

Rick sees Thunderbird 3 move alongside the satellite, so he opens the outer door. Alan gets his spacesuit on, whilst Scott asks Rick if Loman is unconscious. Rick says Loman doesn't answer, so he must have passed out. Alan heads to Thunderbird 3's airlock and says he's going across. He leaves Thunderbird 3.

He gets over to the satellite and finds Loman is still in the airlock. He tells Scott he's bringing Loman back, so he picks him up and takes him back over to Thunderbird 3. Scott tells Alan that he estimates they'll re-enter Earth's atmosphere in four minutes. Alan tells him to tell Rick to get into his space suit. Loman is going to be alright, so he's going back to help Rick.

Scott tells Rick that Loman will recover, so he now needs to put on a space suit -they're going to get him out, and there isn't much time. But Rick suddenly says he won't be able to do it! Alan makes another trip over from Thunderbird 3 to the satellite.

Rick puts a space suit on, but still says he can't do it. Alan arrives and tells Rick to make sure he has his suit on correctly, as he's now going to cut through the door. Rick tells him to hold it, he just can't do this! He'd rather take his chances in here. Alan tells Scott that O'Shea is chickening out. Scott says he heard, but there's very little time. The ablation temperature is already rising, if he tries to cross after re-entry the wind resistance will rip them to pieces.

Alan tells Rick to close the outer door, which he does. Alan then uses a laser to start cutting through the door. At the ISC, the Commander contacts International Rescue. Virgil answers him and is told that they have radar contact with the KLA satellite, which is now in a sub-orbital descent. Virgil says the men onboard it have been transferred. The Commander says he's glad to hear that, but then says there's something else: the satellite is heading for a direct hit with the oil installation at A'Ben Duh. Brains says that's just about the biggest refinery in the Middle East. The Commander says the impact would cause widespread damage and fires. Virgil says they'll do what they can.

At the oil installation, people begin to evacuate. Virgil asks Brains how they're going to tackle this one. Brains thinks the answer is to destroy the space vehicle in the air, as if they explode it over the desert, it'll do no damage. Virgil says they must do it before it's too near the refinery. They then see the satellite coming down, which is already beginning to break up.

Brains mans the missile turret and says he's ready to fire. But then something happens. Virgil hears Rick O'Shea's voice, who starts off his radio show! Virgil tells Brains to hold it, that crazy idiot O'Shea must still be aboard the satellite! Brains thinks the guy must have really flipped, but thought Scott and Alan had gotten him out. Virgil says they'd got the engineer out and were going back for O'Shea, but it looks like he's still onboard. Brains heads back to the cockpit, as Virgil tries to contact base. But due to the Thunderbird 5 problems he can't get through, meaning they can't find out what's happened. They have to now make a choice: O'Shea or the refinery. Brains says they must think about what Jeff would do. Virgil says the personnel at the refinery must come first, so he tells Brains to get into position. But Brains says he can't blow up the satellite with O'Shea in it.

Brains suggests they divert the satellite away from the desert. Virgil asks how, so Brains says they'll have to tilt the satellite off-course. Virgil says it'll be like using Thunderbird 2 as a bumper car, and Brains says that's about it. Virgil starts to follow the satellite, as more pieces of it break off and nearly hit Thunderbird 2. Thunderbird 2 then catches up and gets alongside the satellite. He uses one of Thunderbird 2's wings to bump it upwards.

Virgil thinks this isn't working and worries Thunderbird 2 is going to get smashed up. But then the satellite manages to get locked together with the wing. Virgil pulls Thunderbird 2 up, as it and the satellite avoid colliding with the oil installation.

But as Thunderbird 2 rises upwards, the satellite falls away from the wing. It hits the ground and explodes, thankfully avoiding the oil installation entirely. Virgil thinks that was close, but Brains asks what they could have done about O'Shea. Virgil tells him not to think about it and says they'll head for home.

At Tracy Island, Alan thinks the lesson has been learned: they won't find another pirate space station wanting to go into orbit. Thunderbird 2 then arrives back at the base, so Virgil lands it and rolls it back into its hangar. In the lounge, Scott says O'Shea was irresponsible, but he kind of liked the guy. Alan thinks O'Shea was alright, but Tin-Tin thinks he's still jealous. Alan insists he's not!

Virgil and Brains then arrive back. Jeff asks them what's wrong, so Virgil says that O'Shea was killed. Jeff tells them that they've got it all wrong. O'Shea is as alive and well as he is. Virgil says they heard his voice, but Alan says he thinks he knows what must have happened. It was when he was cutting through the jammed airlock door...

Alan cuts through the door and kicks it down. O'Shea says not to come near him, he can't go out there -he gets vertigo from climbing stairs! Alan tells him to put his helmet on, but O'Shea repeats he's not going out there and tells Alan to keep away from him. As he backs up, he accidentally hits a button which causes a tape to start playing.

Back in the present, Brains says it's certainly a wonderful surprise to know O'Shea is safe. Tin-Tin says she has another surprise for them all. She turns on her portable TV, which is showing a news report. The presenter says he has a great pleasure in welcoming a fellow disc-jockey to the studio. Rick O'Shea appears and says he'd like to say two things. Firstly, he'd like to thank International Rescue for all they did, especially the guy who got him into the rescue vehicle. Now he'd like to play a special request, for Mr T and all the family, from TT.

He says he hopes that made sense to somebody, and then starts playing a tune: "Flying High". As the music plays, Jeff tells Tin-Tin that was a nice thought. As everybody thanks her, Alan says he thinks he'll go and take a shower.

Jeff says Alan never did tell them exactly how he got O'Shea out of that space station. Alan says he doesn't want to bore them all. Jeff asks if it had anything to do with the black eye O'Shea seemed to have acquired. Alan says it was the only way, he had to make him see reason. As everyone jokes around, Alan claims he did it in the line of duty.