The Merchandise Guide
Novelisations: Portugal
Compiled by Martin Willey

Ediguia published two volumes of the Gianni Padoan novels in Portugal in 1977. The first volume, Separação, contains an "introduction" by Portuguese scientist, translator and writer Eurico da Fonseca (1921-2000). This is an English translation, update with some links to wikipedia.

Often, science fiction has a lot of fiction and no science. This is not the case of Space: 1999, in which the main element is precisely science and technology, as the basis of future society and understanding not only between men, but between them and the creatures that, more than likely, populate other worlds, in space.

All the details of Space: 1999, both in the filmed series and in this book, are extremely careful. Nothing was left to chance, no solution was imagined without a serious basis.

For example: the signal devices (commlocks) that the inhabitants of the lunar base use at all times, and which are compared to modern magic wands, are already being researched by several world-renowned electronics companies, and are a development of portable intercoms used in large industrial and commercial installations. It is possible and likely that these devices, when they go on sale, will be even more complete than those presented in Space: 1999. Anyone who doubts this should bear in mind the rapid development of small electronic calculators. In 1976, a watch factory launched an electronic wrist model on the market, equipped with an electronic calculator. Hence the "signal device" capable of transmitting images and sound, making calculations in conjunction with a computer or independently of it, recording and transmitting elements about the vital functions of whoever uses it and broadcasting various types of orders, from opening and closing doors to other more complex things, it will be just a small leap, perfectly possible thanks to microelectronics.

Another detail of Space: 1999 that may seem intriguing is the use of transport shuttles connecting the Earth and the Moon, until the day when a nuclear cataclysm will remove (according to the story) our natural satellite and will launch it into the vastness of space.

Currently, as it is said in the scientific appendix that constitutes the last part of this first volume, the first North American recoverable shuttle is being tested. The advantage of this device over classic rockets is that it can make a minimum of 100 trips in space around the Earth, while rockets can only make one trip. With the help of shuttles, it will be relatively easy to set up permanent stations in orbit, which can be connected with the Moon (and other planets) through other shuttles, very simple but very efficient, since, always operating outside the Earth's atmosphere, they will not need aerodynamic coatings and thermal armour.

Another very well studied detail is that of the Eagle reconnaissance ships. One of the biggest drawbacks of lunar exploration using classic vehicles is the fact that, as they describe more or less rigid orbits, they do not have the same freedom of movement as an airplane or a helicopter. As there is no atmosphere worthy of the name on the Moon, it would not be possible, in any case, to fly a device with the help of wings or rotors. The only solution is the use of reaction engines - that is: small jet engines exerting a reaction force from below and thus compensating for the attraction of the Moon, which is relatively easy, since this attraction is 6 times smaller than that of Earth. And that was how the "Eagles" were imagined; as ships supported on reaction engines, moving at variable altitudes and following variable directions, therefore immensely more flexible than a full rocket.

Also curious is the attention drawn, discreetly made by the authors, to one of the biggest problems of our time, pollution (and, in particular, nuclear pollution). It will be said that the combustion and explosion of waste from nuclear power plants is impossible, but it should be noted that, according to witness reports, recently published in the West, a catastrophe of this kind may have occurred years ago in the Soviet Union. Regarding the possibility of the Moon being thrown into space by an explosion of this nature and regarding the possibility of it encountering, on its journey, many other strange civilizations, the authors of the story must be allowed a certain freedom (this is the role of fiction), but it is important to remember that until the lunar rocks, brought by the astronauts of the "Apollo" missions, dispelled some of the existing doubts, many scientists believed that the Moon was a body that revolved around another very distant star, and that from there it had been expelled and propelled through space as a result of a colossal explosion...

Space: 1999 is, therefore, a work that, being simple and accessible to read, in no way deviates from the essentials of realism in the field of science and technology. And without sacrificing any action, the unexpected or mystery. Because, in the end, and as Shakespeare said, "there are more things in the Heavens than man's imagination can even dream of".

Eurico da Fonseca

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