Starflight: The Plane That Couldn't Land (1983) - full transcript

MAN OVER RADIO: This is

Starflight control.

We have 24 hours

to liftoff

and counting.

BOWDISH: You're at

53,000, Josh.

Speed coming up

to Mach 2.

JOSH: Everything

checks out, Bowdish.

A perfect ride.

You're at 54,000.

Ready?

Fire the rockets.

Okay.

[RUMBLING]

Level off! Level off!

I've still got

four seconds.

No way. Level off!

You're over shooting.

[BEEPING]

JOSH: Too much thrust!

I can't reduce

the angle of climb!

Damn it, Bowdish!

We've got a mismatch!

Exactly the same thing

happened to Cody!

You know something?

You ought to

stop being a pilot and

stick to plane design.

Yeah.

I don't know.

I don't know,

it's not right.

The rockets...

Yeah, the rockets have

been more than right.

On 34 test flights.

If we could just

get them on the ground

computer control.

Josh, Josh,

you know how long

that would take?

A week!

Less if we kick it hard.

Hey, listen, genius,

this thing flies tomorrow.

Maybe it shouldn't.

I really think

you need some rest.

You're wiped out.

Seriously, go home

and get some sleep.

And stop worrying.

Nancy!

You remembered.

I'm...

I figured if I didn't

come and get you,

you'd never come home.

I was...Just leaving.

Good night, Elliot.Just leaving.

Good night, Elliot.

Good night, Nancy.

Good night, Josh.

We were testing

the rockets again.

I don't know.

Q.T. ON PHONE: Hello?Q.T.?

Yeah.

Just thought

you'd like to know

that Josh Gilliam

is still making

postponement sounds.

I'll handle

Josh Gilliam.

I'm sure you can, sir.

WOMAN ON RADIO: First

hypersonic transport plane,

Starflight One,

which will travel

higher and faster

than any airplane

has ever flown.

So, tonight,

with wonder,

the eyes of the world

will be onStarflight One

as it makes history by...[TURNS OFF RADIO]

What's all this

about Josh?

You been talking

to him again?

No, Dad.

I just know that

Josh feels that

we should postpone.

Maybe we should

listen to him.

Josh Gilliam will have

us improve Starflight

to the point

that it's the most

improved aircraft that

never got off the ground.

You know what I had

to promise Washington

to get some tax breaks

and financing?

I know, Dad.

Not to mention

the Thornwell 20 million

that's riding

on the flight tonight.

I just don't see the harm

in a few weeks' delay.

When are you going

to grow up?

I can just see

those headlines now

if we postpone.

Well, say something,

Martin!

Say something!

Fine, Dad.

Starflight

takes off tonight

as scheduled.

Fine.

MAN ON RADIO:

Starflight control.

Everything going smoothly

as we move toward liftoff

in 12 hours

and counting.

There is no such thing

as an ungodly hour

today, Felix.

Today's the big day.

I just wanted to see

if you needed

any more information

before you went

on the air.

FELIX ON PHONE:

Such as, my dear?

Such as,

the passenger list

is made up of people

from all across the country,

demographically chosen.

Shall I spell that for you?

That's really marvelous.

Half a Noah's Ark with

one of everything.

Speeding through the air

23 miles above the Earth

at 4,000 miles an hour.

[SCOFFS] I wonder

what Noah would think.

Felix, what can I do

to get you

to give Starflight

an even break?

If that's a proposition,

I accept.

I'll bet you do!

You've been accepting it

for years

in your dreams.

[CHUCKLES]

And what dreams. Whoo!

All right, the least

I'll accept is a drink

before we take off.

Okay.

It's a deal. Bye.

Good morning,

sunshine.

Mmm. Looks lovely.

Everything's cold.

I'm sorry.

But I had to

make that call.

It's very important.

You don't talk

to Daddy like that.

Lori, your daddy and I

are divorced,

and it breaks my heart

that it still upsets you.

We love you very much.

I've heard how

you talk to him.

Felix? Come on!

Felix and I joke around.

You've heard us for years.

That's how I deal

with people.

It's part of my job.

Part of your job?

Aren't we supposed to

be having fun? Mmm?

We're going

to Australia.

A couple

of kangaroos, huh?

[LAUGHING]

[CHUCKLES]

That's my girl.

Better pack.

Why? We're not going

till 7:00 o'clock tonight.

I wouldn't want you

to be late

and mess up

your whole job.

Fasten your seatbelts,

folks.

It's gonna be

a bumpy ride.

MAN ON RADIO: We have

nine hours and 30 minutes

to liftoff and counting.

[WHISTLING]

Well, how is it?

Janet, what ever happened

to your thing for omelets?

What ever happened

to cotton candy?

What ever happened to us?

Is it so bad?

Nice house,

out of the smog.

And a husband who

spends all of his time

in the sky

even when he's here.

What do you think about

when you're up there, Cody?

Oh, I don't know.

Wars I've been in,

Presidents I've flown,

people I love.

Do I fit in that

last category, Cody?

Not today, Janet, please.

Yes, but tonight...

Tonight you're Superman,

flying all the way

to Australia in two hours.

I haven't meant

to hurt you.

Well, you have.

How?

By tiptoeing around me

like you think

I'm going to break

into 1,000 pieces

if you just tell me

what you're feeling.

I don't...

I don't know

what I'm feeling.

MAN ON RADIO:

Six hours and 30 minutes

to liftoff and counting.

What?

Yeah.

It's me Freddie.

Surprise, huh?

Guess what?

I'm going to be in Sydney

for the launch.

That's right, old chum.

I'm on Starflight.

I'll be in Australia

a good two hours

before you launch

the satellite out there.

How's everything

at your end?

Hey, pretty good, mate.

Listen, everything looks

pretty good down here.

Some small delays,

but safety check's starting

in about an hour.

We get

that communications

satellite up there,

and the sky's the limit.

I've already got bids

on two-thirds of

the telecommunications pods.

More to come.

Hey listen, Freddie.

What's this I hear

about the Chinese?

Well, they've got a right

to talk to the world too,

don't they?

What are they

gonna do?

Beam down

fortune cookies? [LAUGHS]

[LAUGHING]

Nope, I don't know

which is the bigger

news event,

Starflight,

or Freddie Baron,

Incorporated.

Am I crazy?

Not so I noticed.

I'm a scientist.

I'm supposed to

deal in specifics,

and I'm being spooked

by a feeling.

The rockets again?

The rockets again.

Josh, you told me

that the only one

who could handle them

was Cody Briggs.

[SIGHING]

He's the best there is,

but he is no match

for a computer.

Now, am I

being difficult?

No, you're being Josh.

I mean, the computers

don't show any no-nos.

The tests were fine.

Everything was...

You look wonderful!

You ought to sleep

in a gray suit.

[SIGHS]

THORNWELL:

Hello, Doppler.

Good day to you,

Mr. Thornwell.

Mr. Bowdish said

to tell you

he's waiting for you.

Thank you.And congratulations, sir.

To all of us.

Elliot, is there anything

to Josh's fuss

about postponement?

Oh, no, it's...

It's too remote.

You'd better show me.

Starflightis an airplane.

It's not a spaceship.

It was designed to operate

in a gravity field.

Take a look at this.

See, before the booster

rockets are cut off,

that thing is

moving at better than

half a mile a second

straight out

towards space.

What Josh is worried about

is a possibility of a slip

that could

lift Starflightright out

of the atmosphere.

And you and I know

that can't happen.

Yeah, but supposing

it does,

what does that do

in terms of

cabin pressure?

Well, you'd have

a pressurized craft

pushing against

the nothingness

of a zero atmosphere.

So, if there's

any structural flaw...

[BEEPING]

MAN OVER PA:

Starflight One is two hours

from liftoff and counting.

WOMAN OVER PA:

Other cabins have

been outfitted

for the news teams

that have formed

an international crew

to cover this event.

Starflight is operated

through a complicated network

of computer banks.

It took two years

to program the software

for these computers.

Your father

would like you

on his far right.

So, what's new?

[CHUCKLES]

Josh! Come on.

You almost missed

your own flight.

[CHUCKLES]

Mr. Thornwell.That's right.

Okay, shake hands again.

Very nice.

I understand you're

having a few...

Well, we won't

call them troubles,

but some qualms.

Well, uh...

Josh, you give me

one shred of evidence

that this magnificent plane

of yours is not ready

to take off,

and I'll cancel

the flight.

Smile, Josh.

I would prefer it

if the rockets

were under

ground control, yes.

But she is ready

for her maiden flight,

isn't she?

Well, uh...

Now, will the two

Mr. Thornwells,

come with me?

What if he would've

said no flight?

Then Mr. Joshua Gilliam

would have missed the plane.

Excuse me just a moment,

I'll be right back.

Joe!

Dad, you remember

Joe Pedowski.

Headed up our

electric systems?

Oh, yes, of course,

you won the employees

drawing, didn't you?

Yes, sir.

My first flight ever.

Twenty years in aircraft

and I'm still afraid of

going up in a plane.

[LAUGHING]Happens all the time.

Hmm, ferocious Felix?

What happened to

our assignation?

Well, I'm afraid

it's going to have

to be on board.

Well, that's not

very cozy.

Well, the rumors

I've been hearing

are true.

My lips are sealed.

She's beautiful.

Erica Hansen.

Yes, she is.

[SIGHS] I really

don't care much

for beautiful women.

She looks nice, though.

Is she?

I thought so.

WOMAN OVER PA:

Starflight One is the first

hypersonic transport plane

to be launched

into service.

The first aircraft...

You don't seem

very excited, Hal.

I mean,

this flight's going

to make history,

and we're on it.

Marrying you, sweetheart,

makes even Starflight

take a back seat.

Honeymooning

in Australia.

And I've never even been

to the San Diego Zoo!

You know they have

koala bears there?

You know,

I could really get

to love you?

Wasn't that Mrs. Briggs

we saw with Captain Briggs?

So, that's what's

bugging you, huh?

Well, was it?

Yes. It was Mrs. Briggs.

And yes, I like Cody.

And no.

You don't have any right

to stand in judgment of me.

And I want you

to stop it.

Right now.

MAN OVER PA:

One hour and 15 minutes

to liftoff and counting.

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

Oh, thank you.

Miss, could you

do something about

my shaving kit?

Surely.Thank you.

May I use the telephone,

please?

May I get that

for you?

[LAUGHS]

Do you know that I'm

the one who called you

in Baton Rouge?

You have a dry

good store, right,

Mrs. Harvey?

Yes,

and a small newspaper,

The Christian Reporter,

it's a weekly.

Is that real?

Oh, of course not.

It's a fabulous fake.

Oh.

My daughter, Lori.

Mrs. Harvey.

Well, hello.Hello.

And if you get cold,

the purple shawl's

in that bag.

Okay? Bye.

You must be very proud

of your mother.

Thornwell ground,

this is Starflight One.

We are ready

for a preflight check.

Hey, Josh.Hi.

This is ground.

That's a negative,

Captain.

We're about to

go on hold.

[OVER PA]

We're at 16 minutes

from liftoff and holding.

There'll be

an hour delay.

Two passengers

coming on board.

The Australian Ambassador

and his wife.

Wait a minute.

Didn't I read that

he just died yesterday?

Affirmative.

We're shipping him

back home.

Special request from

the White House, no less.

Out.

If you gentlemen

will excuse me.

I'm going to

buy myself a drink.

Sorry you can't join me.Yeah.

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is Captain Briggs.

[OVER PA] Just to show you

that hypersonic aviation

isn't all that different,

we've got ourselves

a delay.

The White House

has requested

that we take on

one more passenger,

who'll be here

in about one hour.

Sorry for the delay.

We hope we won't

inconvenience you

any longer than that.

WOMAN OVER PA:

Ladies and gentlemen,

we're sorry for

the inconvenience.

The flight attendants

will be bringing

the drink carts around

to make the hour fly by.

[CLEARS THROAT]

Bud? [LAUGHING]

It's Freddie.

We've got about

an hour delay here.

Weather's closing in

anyway, mate,

so no sweat

about your delay.

Couldn't get the rocket

off today anyway.

Maybe not

for another week.

A week! Come on,

we'll lose everything.

What's the weather

like now?

Well, it's still

pretty good,

but our launch permit

is three hours from now

after Starflight'sdown.

That's straight

from NASA, Freddie.

And the Aussies

have honored the request.

I've told you that

we've got money

out there,

but we don't

collect anything

unless we can prove

that we can get this thing

off the ground.

On time.

Well, you can talk

them around, Freddie boy,

you're good at that.

That's bull...

I want the rocket

in the air. Now!

Well, what about

the permission?

I'll take care of that.

You just

get the rocket off.

Well, I'll see

what I can do.

That's not good enough!

Do it, Bud.

Launch it! Now.

All right, mate.

Hi.

Hi.

Would you like

some more coffee?

You still plan

on going back

when we land?

Lori's got school.

Ah.

It's pretty tough,

isn't t?

I mean, we're not...

We're not even

a triangle.

What are we,

we're a quadrangle?

Four of us.

I can't cut down my team.

She's a lot taller

than I thought.

She thought you were

very beautiful.

That's very kind of her.

Excuse me.

Can I...

MAN OVER PA:

Delta launch,

eight, seven,

six, five, four,

three, two, one.

[RUMBLING]

MAN OVER PA:

Starflight One on hold.

One hour and 15 minutes,

and still holding.

I'm very sorry

about your husband,

Mrs. Winfield.

Thank you.

We're just waiting

for another take off

clearance from NASA.

It shouldn't

be too long.

[TELEPHONE RINGING]

Bowdish here.

MAN ON PHONE:

Ground control. All systems go

forStarflight.

Thank you.

We're go.

Wake up, Starflight.

[OVER RADIO]

You're clear for takeoff.

Okay, gentlemen,

let's do it.

Hey, Chief's going fishing.

[LAUGHS]

Wouldn't take off

without my lucky hat.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Starflight Oneis cleared

for takeoff.

DEL: 80 knots.

10,000 feet.

140 knots.

8,000 feet.

160 knots.

Rotate.

Ignite rockets.

Congratulations, Josh.

Positive rate

of climb established.

Good job.

Read it out, Del.

DEL: 79,000. Mach 2.3.

80,000. Mach 2.4.

We've got you coming up

to Mach 3, Cody.

The announce tape

rolls then.

CODY OVER PA:

Ladies and gentlemen,

we've just passed Mach 3.

Which means

we're climbing now

at three times

the speed of sound.

If some of you

are thinking I ought to

be minding the store

and not yakking

with you,

you're right and I am.

This is a taped message...

FELIX: Jean-Pierre.Yeah, Felix.

[SPEAKING FRENCH]

[CHUCKLES]

What did he say?

He said he hopes

luck has nothing

to do with it.

[LAUGHING][SPEAKING FRENCH]

CODY OVER PA:

We'll be traveling

at that speed

for one hour

and 50 minutes

whenStarflight One

will touch down

across the world

in Sydney, Australia.

[DINGS]

That's all there is to it,

ladies and gentlemen.

Millie and Andrea will

be coming around

to see if you are

thirsty or hungry,

but I suggest

that you imbibe quickly

because you'll soon be

overrun by news people

sending back taped

and live reports

not only to the United States

and Australia...Good luck.

...but just about

every other country

in the world.

This should help.

You may have to

bring the whole bottle.

[LAUGHS]

You, too, huh?

Nope, airplanes

don't bother me.

Chris, wait up.

There's been

a Delta launch

from Australia.

Angle of ascent,

45 degrees.

Any problems?

We're still tracking.

But it could come close

to the HST's flight plan.

[CHATTERING]

We're tracking

a Delta launch that

didn't clear with us.

She's moving in an arc

that's characteristic of

a second stage malfunction.

Now, if she malfunctions

there's no telling

what course she'll take.

Where's the feed?

From NASA.

Some kook's got

a Delta rocket

moving toward us.

Starflightto ground.

BOWDISH OVER RADIO:

Go ahead, Cody.

We'd like permission

to let NASA

take us through this.

That's affirmative, Cody.

Okay,

NASA, we're all yours.

We're watching you

like a hawk, Starflight.

Now, when we took off...

Here's Los Angeles.

It may have felt to you

as if we were going

straight up.

Well, we were.

Just like a missile.

And that's because

this craft is powered

by rockets.

We use that rocket power

to attain an altitude

of 100,000 feet.

At which point,

we were going

at a speed of

approximately four...

Mach 4.

That's about

2,500 miles per hour.

There's gotta be

something you can do.

There's not

a bloody thing I can do.

The automatic

sequence control

didn't complete.

The third stage rockets

aren't firing, mate!

But you've got to

give it every chance.

Don't let them

blow it.

Don't. Please.

BUD: Safety ground command

is turning purple.

Bud, don't let

them destruct it.

Look, mate,

we don't have

a bloody third stage!

Bud, you destruct it,

and I'm going to

lose everything.

I mean, everything.

We don't have any choice,

Freddie.

You've got to

stop them somehow,

stop 'em.

BUD: Destruct the rocket.

[EXPLOSION]

She's gone.

Yeah, well,

their timing stinks.

Starflight,

the missile's

been destroyed.

CODY OVER RADIO: What does

that mean for us?

A million pieces

of space junk

headed towards you

at 8,000 miles an hour.

How close?

At your speed,

everything's close.

I'm out of

my element, Chris.

What's my move?

CHRIS: We can't

pin the debris.

Not sure you can manage

lateral traffic avoidance.

Give me my move, Chris.

Starflight,

pull up and climb

at your best rate.

That means the rockets.

...in preparation for landing

in Sydney.

[OVER PA]

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is Captain Briggs.

Please return

to your seats immediately

and fasten

your seat belts.

It couldn't be weather

at this altitude, could it?

All right, Del, hit it.

CODY OVER RADIO:

We're at 145,000.

You should be over debris

in five seconds.

Joe?Hmm?

What's going on, man?

I don't know.

CHRIS OVER RADIO:

Stand by to level off

and return to 120,000.

Standing by.

Okay, Starflight,

level off.

Standby to leveled off,

kill rockets.

Rockets are still burning.

[BEEPING]

We must've

taken a hit.

Rocket control wiring.

CODY OVER RADIO:

Thornwell ground,

this isStarflight One.

We think we've

taken a hit.

We've lost all controls

to rocket thrust.

We cannot

kill the burn, over.

Cody, we've got you

at 160,000 and climbing.

Over.

CODY: How long

until the rockets

burn out on their own?

Two minutes

and four seconds.

We're an airplane,

not a space ship.

You know where

that'll push us?

Yeah. Straight up through

the atmospheric lid.

450,000 feet

into space.

Kill the burn, Cody.

Kill the burn.

340,000 and climbing.

Bowdish, this is Starflight.

How much time to burnout?

Twenty-four seconds.

When do they hit space?

450,000 feet.

CODY: 380,000.

390,000.

DEL: 431,000.

How long to bum out?

Fifteen seconds.

Me might make it.

435,000.

[RUMBLING]

441,000.

How much time,

Bowdish?

Seven seconds.

443,000.

Four, three...

446,000.

BOWDISH: One. Burnout.

We're in orbit.

Eighty-seven miles up.

End of ride.

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is your captain.

We are not in

any immediate danger.

We are all weightless,

so until we get some

more information,

please stay

in your seats

with belts fastened.

Kind of get

everything loose

fastened down,

we'll appreciate it.

Thank you.

Will Josh Gilliam

and Erica Hansen

please come

to the flight deck?

You all right?

Yeah.Let's go.

Grab on.

[BEEPING]

CODY: Thornwell ground,

this isStarflight One.

We have made

a preliminary check.

There are no injuries.

Fifty-nine of us

are alive and well,

waiting for

your instructions.

Where the hell

did everybody go?

Cody, this is Bowdish.

You realize that, uh,

that plane was

not designed to

go into orbit.

So, we don't have

that information

in the computer

and we're going to

need some think time.

[OVER RADIO] Briggs,

Chris Lucas at NASA.

First directive calls for you

to save electrical power.

No hot coffee,

no microwave...

And pull

the transmission plug to

that news bay of yours.

Does that get us home?

We've got a preliminary

that gives you 50 hours

before your orbit

degenerates.

And then things heat up.

How's our air?

This is Schultie, Cody.

We should have a fix

on that for you

in a few minutes.

Cody, you better

check the skin

on that ship.

Pressure looks normal

in all areas.

Briggs,

we'll be tracking you

around the world.

They're talking,

but they're not

saying much.

Starflightout.

Let me see what

I can come up with.

Cody, could you talk

to them about

the weightlessness again?

If you keep them informed,

they may not panic.

I better get out there.

Right.

Ladies and gentlemen,

this is Captain Briggs again.

I repeat, we are in

no immediate danger.

The aircraft has not

been significantly damaged.

The pressure

in all the cabins

is completely normal.

Thornwell ground control

and NASA

are already

initiating procedures

that will get us

back on course.

We're assured of NASA's

complete cooperation.

[ELECTRICITY CRACKLING]

In the meantime,

if you'd kind of

get everything loose

fastened down

we'd appreciate it.

Thank you.

This is for the news bay.

In order

to save battery power

we're suspending live

transmission facilities

to Earth.

Well, they pulled the plug,

but that doesn't stop us

using our battery pack.

Why don't you guys

set up over in there?

CAMERAMAN:

Godspeed, boss.

This is Felix Duncan

aboard Starflight One.

In orbit,

in a weightless environment,

aboard a ship that

was not designed

for space flight.

We are circling the Earth

once every 90 minutes.

For all intents and purposes,

this is an aircraft that

has already crashed.

Well, they've got

at least 48 hours

before an

uncontrolled reentry.

What have they got

on the outside?

Sixty.

Sixty.

They have 60 hours

of oxygen left?

That's borderline.

Borderline?

What are you saying?

I'm saying

it's borderline.

There's not enough oxygen

for that many people

for that long a period

of time.

Do I have to

spell it out for you?

The only way we're going

to get that thing down here

is to reactivate

the booster rockets.

But the controls

are locked.

All the fuel was

used up on the burn.

I know that.

And Chris Lucas of NASA

is doing

a feasibility study

on having

the space shuttle Columbia

replenish the fuel.

She's going to

need a heat shield

to reenter

the atmosphere.

I'm working on that,

okay?

Excuse me.

Refuel the rockets?

Lucas, you're crazier

than I am!

What have you got,

a tank full

of liquid hydrogen

stashed up here?

CHRIS: It's Columbia, Briggs.

She'll be making

the delivery.

Her crew will

refill your tank with

the liquid hydrogen.

We're getting ready

to the send

the space shuttle

Columbia up to you

right now.

Our best team is

at Canaveral.

It's chief honcho

is Captain Kenny Herrera.

He'll pilot the ship.

Thank God

we've learned how

to get them up fast.

Liftoff will be

in two hours.

Give it a shot.

Del, check the cargo bays,

see that everything

is still secured.

We're orbit plus 45.

We've just gone halfway

around the world.

[DOOR OPENS]

DEL: I've finished

the inspection.

We have a damaged strut

in B cargo hold.

Seal's going.

If we close her off,

we lose that much air.

B cargo?

That's at least 10%.

We lose four or five hours.

Even if Columbia

does find us,

how do we get back?

Without a heat shield...

We don't.

[ROCKET LIFTOFF]

We got liftoff.

Columbia's on its way up

to you,Starflight.

Columbia to Houston.

We have target in sight.

[CHUCKLES]

Is that ever

beautiful.

Oh, boy!

Shall we do it?

LINDA OVER RADIO:

Ready to refuel them.

Starflight,

when we're ready to feed,

you release

the number three

fuel hatch.

We copy.

Captain Briggs,

I'm ready to feed.

That's affirmative.

LINDA: Ready,

Captain Herrera.

Start pumping.

Fueling completed,

Captain Briggs.

Closing hatch.

Returning to Columbia.

Could you take a look

at our rocket bay?

We may have sustained

some damage.

[CRACKLING]

LINDA: Captain Briggs,

you were right.

Your external

rocket system's

control line is split.

How long to

make the splices?

Sir, this is a maze

I'm looking at.

I'll consult

with Captain Herrera.

For now, I'd cut

the power feed

to this line,

Captain Briggs.

We copy.

If we could find

another configuration,

a different angle

to reduce friction

to a minimum,

we just might be able

to affect reentry.

I mean,

she'd heat up,

but she might

come through.

Then figure it out.

[SIGHS] Well, we can't.

What about NASA?

NASA would need

the performance

characteristics

of the design

and they're just not

in the computer.

You see, we ordered Josh

not to put them

in the computer.

Internal security.

I mean, we've never

had a conventional aircraft

in a reentry mode before.

90% of this maneuver

depends on the instincts

of the person

who designed the system,

and that's Josh.

Columbia carries

an airlock.

They could get him

and bring him back.

It seems ironic,

you two planning a way

to bring Josh home

when if you had just

listened to him

in the first place.

Cody, we think we can

jury-rig our airlock

to fit over

your sectioned-off

equipment compartment.

There'll be

spacesuits inside.

We'll be bringing

the airlock over

to pick up Josh Gilliam

at NASA's request.

We copy.

I guess we better

make sure it works

before we risk

Josh Gilliam.

I'm the only one here

who wrote on

his school application

that he wanted

to be an astronaut.

Oh, listen, Pete...Case closed!

Captain, you better speak

to Josh.

All right, Pete.

[CLANKING]

Cody, we're here.

All right, I'll patch

you over to Ray.

[ON PHONE] Pete,

this is Ray Barstow.

The guy in

a funny white suit.

You hear me okay?

Affirmative.

On voice cue you'll open

your compartment hatch,

enter the airlock,

then you close

Starflight's hatch.

LINDA: Ready, Pete?

PETE: Yeah.

Sorry, all the great

space walk lines have

already been used.

See you soon.

All right, I'll secure

the compartment.

Have a good trip.

I'll catch the next one.

Piece of cake.

LINDA: Open the

compartment hatch.

[BEEPING]

I'm in the airlock

about to suit up.

RAY: Get the suit

and helmet on as quick

as possible, Pete.

Let us know

when you've got

the suit on.

PETE: I'm going

as fast as I can.

Your funny white suit's

all right.

I always wanted one.

RAY: Yup, it goes

with anything.

Make sure you shut

the airlock hatch, Pete.

[RATTLING]

RAY: Pete,

is your hatch shut?

[RATTLING]

[SCREAMING]

Pete, I'm so sorry.

No more guinea pigs.

There's got to be

another way to

get you off.

All right,

but this time

it's just me.

No more guinea pigs.

Our transmission frequencies

are being monitored.

The whole world

knows about Pete.

I think you have to

let people see that

we're still all right.

Return power

to press bay.

[CRACKLING]

Starflighthas

about 39 hours

of oxygen left,

unless their orbit

breaks down

and they reenter

before then.

Damned if I can

figure this out.

Josh is the guy

to get everyone down.

We got to figure a way

to get him down.

Schultie, give me

a reading on that

oxygen clock, will you?

Thirty-six hours,

14 minutes.

REPORTER: We've got

the pilot's wife.

That's Janet Briggs,

grab your gear.

Have you been in contact

with your husband?

No, I haven't.

I'm sorry.

When did you first hear

about the disaster?

Excuse me,

I have got to...

Do you have

any children?

I'm sorry, I'm sorry,

I'm Janet Briggs,

can you let me through?How does it feel

to have a world famous

husband in orbit?Please?

This information will

only help you

to tell the public.

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]Please, I can't see

with that light.

Will you please

let me through?

How are you?

I'm okay.

I appreciate you,

you know.

Always did.

It just seems easier

to tell you now.

Janet showed up

at ground control.

I would've

expected that.

Didn't you?

I guess.

Every 45 minutes.

Turn the lights on,

turn 'em off.[SWITCH CLICKING]

It's the only entertainment

on this $50 million

flying coffin.

This is not our coffin.

We are going

to get back.

Cody? Won't we?

Lucas, Cody here. Yeah, Cody.

Chris, if some kind of

air tight container

could be rigged

inside the luggage bay,

could it be used

to transfer someone?

That's affirmative, Briggs.

What are you thinking?

Erica, tell Josh to

pack his toothbrush.

He's going home.

Yes, sir.

Look, here's how maybe

it can go down, okay?

The luggage compartment

is sealed off from

the rest of the ship.

We load Josh

into the casket,

and the two astronauts

open the compartment

and pull Josh to Columbia.

Wouldn't he

need oxygen?

The whole operation

will take four

to five minutes.

There's enough

oxygen in there

to sustain him.

Let's suppose that thing

isn't really airtight.

At best, all Josh

would have would be

a few cubic feet of air

and what's left

in his own lungs.

Martin's got a point.

Even a hairline fracture

or a pinhole.

Look, I think Josh

knows the risks

better than we do.

CHRIS OVER RADIO:

Houston to Columbia.

You still there, Kenny?

What do you need, Chris?

We might put you down

at Thornwell in California.

Any problems?

Is that launch facility

of theirs operational?

Affirmative.

Okay, as long

as we have our

own ground crew.

Can you handle

the Ambassador's wife?

There's no other way?

Look, we ran out of

moral niceties

when those rockets

wouldn't turn off.

If you don't believe me,

go ask your passengers

how they feel about

swapping a dead man

for a chance to

get out of here alive.

We don't have time

to think of another way,

we just don't.

I'll talk

to Mrs. Winfield.

Good girl.

Cody. Yeah, Cody here.

Linda and Ray are

starting across to you.

They'll open

the luggage bay hatch

and take delivery

of the casket

with Josh in it.

When you

give me the word.

That's a roger.

We're still

losing pressure.

I can't figure out where.

What about

B cargo hold?

[SOBBING] It's not right.

Oh, please.

It's not right.

There's no other way.

[SOBBING]

CODY: You'll get your tush

frozen out there.

Not exactly my idea

of first class

transportation, no.

Help! Help!

[WHOOSHING]

About four minutes' worth

of air in here.

Shouldn't take

longer than that.

You could hold your breath

for another three,

if you're in shape.

I'm not.

LINDA: We're at

the luggage bay hatch.

Ready to

take the casket.

Check the seal.

[SIGHS]

No light leaks.

Hermetically sealed.

I don't suppose they've

ever had a consumer

complaint.

Let's go.

There's a hole

the size of my fist.

I didn't have

a choice, Cody.

I sealed off

the entire cargo hold.

You did right.

Depressurize

the luggage bay.

Now we lose the air

in the luggage compartment.

Starflighthere.

Starflight.

You ready?

My copilot's decompressing

the luggage compartment now.

In 30 seconds,

we'll open the hatch.

Josh is halfway

to Columbia now.

[HISSING SOUND][GASPS]

[GASPING FOR BREATH]

Are you all right?

There was a leak.

What did you do?

[LAUGHS]

Remember the story

of the little Dutch boy

and the dike?

[CRACKLING]

SCHULTIE OVER RADIO:

We're figuring

how much air you lost.

Look, Schultie,

we got two compartments

sealed off.

Now, that means lost air

which means lost time.

I want...

There must be millions.

Yup.

All of it wouldn't

buy us out of this mess.

Starflight,

this is Bowdish

at control. Over.

CODY OVER RADIO:

Go ahead, Bowdish.

We calculate you've lost

about nine hours

of your air supply. Over.

Roger, Bowdish. Out.

You'd better reset

that clock.

They've got 17 hours,

and eight minutes

of oxygen left.

Well, if Josh doesn't

come up with a miracle,

we can take our pick.

Suffocate or burn up

on reentry.

Thanks.

MAN OVER PA:

That's touchdown

for Columbia.

Back from rendezvous with

Starflight One in space.

What about reentry?

We're projecting

21 hours.

Well, I guess

we don't get

to choose.

The air will run out

four hours sooner

than that.

[ALL CHATTERING]

Give me a plane deck.

Rotate it.

[SIGHS]

What else you got?

Captain, our cupboards

are just about bare.

You fellows got

a catering truck

you can put

some wings on?

Sure Briggs,

if you don't

mind your caviar

coming out of

a toothpaste tube.

We'll be sending it to you

the next time we can get

Columbia up.

What the hell is that?

[SIGHS]

Elliot! Elliot!

What is it?

What does that

look like to you?

What?That.

What, a tunnel?

The Universal

Docking Device?

Could be.

It could work.

What've you got

in there on it?

FELIX: We have

just been told what

the rescue operation is.

It involves

a Universal Docking Device

built by Thornwell Aviation

as part of

its space program.

This device

will be carried up

toStarflight

by that heroic

space traveler,

the shuttle Columbia,

about to be launched again

from southern California.

As we wait,

each passenger is

surely wondering

if home and loved ones

will ever be seen again.

Yet, there's hope

and a triumph

of the human spirit up here

onStarflight One.

As for

the rescue itself,

the Docking Device

has been altered

to conform

to the hatch design

ofStarflight One.

Working

in tandem with NASA.

Well, the waiting's over

for you at least.

You haven't

lost him, Janet.

Yes, I have.

MAN OVER PA:

Ten, nine, eight, seven,

six, five, four,

three, two, one, zero.

[RUMBLING]

Columbia has liftoff!

On its way

toStarflight One.

CODY: As you know,

we've got some

decisions to make.

Including us,

there's 57 survivors.

Columbia only has

its flight deck

quarters pressurized.

They figure they can

squeeze in 20 at a time.

Three jumps in all.

Six of us, as crew,

will be the last

to leave.

We'll have a drawing

on the decision

for the passengers.

Now, these people will

be floating through

a snaking tunnel

50 miles up,

getting into

the nearest thing

we have to a spaceship

and gliding

to a landing

without engines.

It's going

to be scary.

We've got to

play it down.

They're already numb

with fear.

I think some of them

are probably in shock.

Somebody could panic.

What happens

if a piece

of space debris

pops the skin

of the tunnel?

Amy, prepare the lists

for the drawing.

[PASSENGERS CHATTERING]

Jack Bernard,

Mrs. Edward Harvey,

Mrs. Lucille Hunt,

Frederick Baron,

Scott McGee,

Hal Paressi.

Okay, that's the 20.

It's been decided

that you will go across

five at a time.

The five will be

decided by the 20.

I'll need your decisions

right away.

[PASSENGERS CHATTERING]

Del, there are

the blue plate

specials you ordered.

Thanks.

Okay, everybody.

Now, you're going to

be kind of pulling

yourselves across

on a white nylon rope

inside the chute.

I'll go first,

just follow me.

Don't be afraid.

You'll be fine.

Now, watch your heads.

MAN OVER PA: The first group

of five hasn't come out

of the tunnel yet.

Still waiting, Houston.

RAY: Okay, now if

you five do as well

as the last five did,

you're going to

make a hero out of me.

Easy we go.

[CRACKLING]

MAN OVER PA:

That's touchdown

for Columbia,

carrying the five

rescued passengers

fromStarflight One.

Josh, it wasn't

your fault.

That conduit

was still hot.

Space Shuttle Columbia...

You got five

of them down.

You can bring

the rest home.

I just killed

five people!

You didn't kill them.

You tried to save them.

Ah, what's better?

Killing five at a time,

or all at once?

They have 12 hours

of oxygen left.

You are the only chance

they've got!

Don't you understand?

I would need a bus to

bring them all back!

Then get them a bus.

[SIGHS]

There is a way.

We can get most

of them down, anyway.

Culver Air has

a booster tank for

their Mayflower rocket,

which, if my figuring

is accurate,

will fit almost exactly

inside Columbia's

cargo hold.

Put down that phone.

Put it down!

Now, you listen to me,

all three of you.

That gantry out there,

that orbitor

processing facility,

the one that

Columbia's using now.

That represents

$93 million

I've got to eat.

'Cause we lost

the space shuttle

contract to Culver.

And I know how

they did it.

Industrial espionage.

Bowdish, tell Mr. Gilliam

about Bart Culver.

BOWDISH: He's right, Josh.

Bart Culver had

a whole network of

spies working on us.

As a matter of fact,

six of the key design

components were ours.

Those Culver cutthroats,

shafted me for $1 billion.

That was the size

of the contract we lost,

Mr. Gilliam.

And now you expect me

to go crawling back

to Culver,

and have him

reap the praise

and the rewards

for rescuing

my HST project?

Are you telling me

that all those people

up there have to die?

Just so that Bart Culver

doesn't get credit

for the rescue?

What the hell kind

of a...Just one minute, Josh.

You just watch...All right.

Both of you,

get out of here.

Josh, count on

that booster tank.

Excuse me, Q.T.

Yes, get me Bart Culver

over at Culver Industries.

Our position's changed.

Yeah, the force

of the explosion

shifted us around.

Would you care to

join me in a tube

of roast beef?

[CHUCKLES]

Suddenly you're funny.

It's the altitude.

We don't have

very long, do we?

Hold me. Please.

Oh.

I love you.

[SIGHS]

I won't say anything

to Lori.

[SOFTLY]

Wait a minute.

I love you.

For a long time.

I'm sorry.

I guess I got hung up

on loyalty with Janet.

And probably pity.

I'm sorry I didn't

grab on to you.

Stay close to Lori, huh?

JOSH OVER RADIO: Cody,

there's just one catch.

Say it, Josh.

The tank can only hold

38 people, maximum.

Some are gonna

have to stay behind.

And we can only

use it once, Cody.

I'm sorry.

MAN OVER PA:

Columbia has liftoff.

After a record turn around

of two hours.

BOWDISH: Four hours

and 10 minutes

of oxygen left.

MAN OVER PA:

This is Columbia, Houston.

At rendezvous

withStarflight One.

We're about to

send the booster

tank across.

This tank isn't exactly

a suite at the plaza.

The people

on the ground

have it figured

that it will

hold 38 of you.

I believe there are

with your staff and crew

somewhat more than that.

Six of the crew will stay.

And there'll

be three volunteers.

[PASSENGERS MURMURING]

Well, I'd like to

offer my services,

if I may.

Well, I mean

there are things to

be recorded here.

Your courage,

achievements.

Like you,

I always like to

be in at the finish.

Huh?

Thanks, Felix.

Now, we need one.

I thought

you needed two more.

I'm about to

draft one myself.

The rest of you

will have to

make the most

of lousy

accommodations,

but only for

a short time we hope.

Mmm. Is this tomato juice

and Tabasco sauce?

No, it's apricots.

Oh.

For a man who's afraid

of flying,

you sure look

pretty cool to me.

You ran out of booze

and I ran out

of cold sweat.

Joe, you know everything

on this airplane

still functions.

Scram jets,

hydraulic systems,

rockets,

we've even got fuel.

You know,

the booster tanks

is a two-way street.

It's bringing us

a space suit with

life support systems.

For what?

I want you to

fix the wiring

to the rocket controls.

You're gonna try

and fly this thing back.

Joe, you ever skip

a flat rock across a lake

and watch it skim

and bounce along

on the surface?

I want to give reentry

that kind of shot.

Cody, I have

skipped a few rocks

on a few lakes

in my time,

and I never saw one yet

that didn't sink.

It's one chance

in a million.

Well, so was

this accident.

Cody...

I am scared out

of my mind

being up here

inside this plane.

And you want me

to go outside?

[LAUGHING]

Oh, no.

[SIGHS]

I'll need a wire stripper.

And some wire nuts.

And a dry pair of pants

when I get back.

Excuse me.

Excuse me, please.

Please.

Excuse me.

Excuse me.

If you don't make it back,

I will never forgive you.

Boy, are we glad

to see you.

I'm glad

we could make it.

Back at you, Ray.

Could you stow that

back there, please?

Let's form

a human chain.

Erica.

Flashlights are inside

to your left.

Watch your step

and hang on.

I've got

your other volunteer.

Benny, you've got

no responsibility to...

No, no, wait, wait.

Felix and I

see this thing

the same way.

Now, if we happen to

get out of here alive,

we have got ourselves

one hell of a story.

[LAUGHS]

Photographed exclusively

by the one and only

Benny Collins.

Those pictures better

be good.

[CRACKLING]

MAN OVER PA:

All 38 aboard.

The tank's separating

fromStarflight now

and returning

to Columbia.

Captain Briggs,

can you seal off

everything

aft of cabin C?

That's affirmative,

Houston.

We can divert

all remaining air forward.

We'll know pretty quick

how much time

that'll buy you.

Thanks for being

so helpful, Houston.

Damn.

Columbia will be bringing

those people down,

but we'll be

monitoring you,

Starflight.

[JET FIRING]

CODY OVER RADIO:

Joe's just starting

outside to the rocket conduit.

Tap that vernier jet.

Give me an honest

day's work, Joe.

I've got Joe outside

repairing the rocket cables.

So, if you can crank up

those toys of yours

and give me

the best shot

at reentry.

Look, without

a heat shield

there's no angle

that will work.

It just can't be done.

You got any better idea?

I'll get one.

CHRIS: Houston here.

We've just

got an update on your

time of reentry, Cody.

Starflightwill reenter

the Earth's atmosphere

in 73 minutes.

Captain, it's going

to take me hours

to sort this thing out.

No, it won't, Joe.

You've got to do it

in less than one.

Oh, my God.

All right,

keep it coming.

Come on.

[BEEPING]

[SIGHS]

Okay, Captain,

check the primary circuit.

That's a good one, Joe.

That'll do it.

It's all yours now, Cody.

Now, you give me

a good day's work.

If we try to put

this thing back

in the atmosphere,

we're finished.

Now, you tell me,

what have we got

to lose?

[BEEPING]

What I really need is

a pulling guard running

interference for us.

[EXHALES]

Put up Columbia.

All right, now,

add a plow wave effect.

All right now,

put Starflightin

right behind her.

Okay, keep her coming.

Come on, closer.

Closer.

All right, right there.

Okay, hold it.

Schultie, get me NASA.

All we've got to do is

find the right angle.

Hello, Houston.

Yeah, listen.

You got Columbia

touching down here

in about, what...

Forty-seven minutes.Forty-seven minutes.

Do you think

she could make another jump

with minimum processing?

What for?

So she can watch

the burn up?

Can she do it?

Not quick enough.

By the time

she got back up,

there wouldn't be

anything left

of Starflight.

Got anything else

hanging around,

anything up

there already?

Hold on.

We're checking.

[SIGHS]

Come on! Come on!

XU5 is up doing repairs

on a military satellite.

Can you clarify?

All right, now listen.

You remember

when you used

to have to piggyback

your twin shuttle

to Florida on a 747?

I'm going for

the flip side of that.

Sorry about

the gloom before.

That's all right.

Josh just had

a brainstorm.

Columbia's XU5 is

on her way to us.

Could get here

before we take the dive.

If she does,

we'll maneuver behind

her plow wave

and ride her shadow.

She'll be

our heat shield?

Yeah, if we stay

close enough.

And if we don't pile up

and take both ships out.

Cody...I know.

Columbia's not

big enough.

The wing tips will burn,

a little.

It's crazy!

That it is.

CODY: Recheck your

projected oxygen, Bowdish,

we've got

big problems.

Yes, we know, Captain,

we had an upside

and a downside

in our projections.

Then our readings

are accurate?

We can't make it

to reentry.

Not with nine of you using

the remaining oxygen, no.

Look, if...

If there were maybe

five or six of you...

Look, don't ever stand

where I can see you,

Bowdish,

because if you do,

I'll tear you in half.

So help me, God.

Now, if we mean anything

to anyone down there,

then somebody will

get that damn guy out

of the control area

because I don't want

to hear his voice again.

MAN OVER PA: Now returning

from rendezvous

withStarflight One

in space

after a record turnaround.

Columbia has touchdown.

All 38 passengers are safe.

How much oxygen

is left

in those life support systems

on the spacesuit?

Let's check.

CODY: We're sharing

what oxygen's left.

Cockpit's sealed off.

JOSH OVER RADIO: Listen,

better blow the airlock.

It'll throw you off

aerodynamically on reentry.

That's affirmative.

Starflight,

you're in final orbit

before reentry.

The XU5 is on its way

to rendezvous with you.

It will be

your heat shield

on reentry.

We're at three minutes

10 seconds from reentry.

NASA?

CHRIS OVER RADIO:

Confirming.

Here.

If this thing really is lucky,

you'd better put it on.

CHRIS OVER RADIO:

Ninety seconds

to rendezvous.

Okay.

MAN OVER PA: Two minutes

to reentry interface.

One minute...

Glad to see you.

DEL OVER RADIO: One minute

40 seconds to reentry.

CHRIS: Twenty seconds

to rendezvous.

One minute 20 seconds

to reentry.

NASA, where the hell

are they?

Ten seconds

to rendezvous.

[OVER RADIO] Starflight,

this is Eddie Russell,

Commander XU5.

Preparing for rendezvous.

Russell, we are

55 seconds from reentry.

Roger, we're matching

your descent angle

and your speed.

NASA here,

we're tracking you both.

Starflightis 35 seconds

to reentry.

Reentry will occur at

52 degrees latitude

over the East Siberian Sea.

This is an alert

to Thornwell.

Be on full standby

forStarflight approach.

You are in

priority pattern

for emergency landing.

Twenty seconds to reentry.

[SIRENS WAILING]

MAN OVER PA:

Ten seconds to reentry.

[SIRENS WAILING]

We are center

your plow wave,

Columbia.

Five seconds, three,

two, one.

[RATTLING]

We're not deep enough

in the atmosphere.

I don't have control.

RUSSELL: Ease up,

Starflight, ease up.

I can't.

We need more air

over the wings.

Control surfaces

working now.

We're in your shadow,

Columbia.

Briggs, we're coming

to peak second of

reentry interface.

[SIZZLING]

You're getting roasted.

Wingtips?

They're hot.

CODY: Flight level?

DEL: 430,000.

We are at flight

level 390,000.

Standing by

to fire engines.

We have ignition.

To all concerned,

we have completed reentry.

All right!Easy, easy.

[SIGHS]

With the heat

the wings took,

we're losing the skin

on the wingtips.

I'm starting

to get control

surface oscillation.

[CHATTER STOPS]

Flight level 52,000.

He's dropping too fast.

CODY: I can't pull up

or I'll overstress

the airframe.

Cody, can you try to

ease off the angle

of descent.

[BEEPING]

CODY: We're falling

too fast.

I'm having trouble

balancing...

We've lost voice contact.

Janet.

Cody'll bring her down.

Come on, Schultie,

bring them home.

SCHULTIE: He's still

over the sea.

Just stay up there, Cody.

Stay up.

Josh...

[SHUTTLE SOARING]

[WHEELS SCREECHING]

[ALL CHEERING]

Let's go.

Nancy.

Tell him...

Tell him I stayed

till I knew he was safe.

Thank you.

[SIRENS WAILING]

Bravo!

First time I ever saw

a rock that didn't sink.

Come on,

I'll buy you guys a drink.

[PEOPLE CLAMORING]

Josh.

Congratulations.

Thank you.

[ALL APPLAUDING]

[REPORTERS CLAMORING]