Satellite in the Sky Page #2

Public opinion is divided. Most people

think it's a great experiment.

But there is the other point of view

that Hayden is committing suicide.

The suicide idea would be enough

to stir up plenty of opposition.

- It's nonsense.

- Is it? Simms?

- You think...?

- It's not a question of what I think.

- You and I know the more important story.

- The bomb.

Even without knowing about that, you

can't blame people for feeling opposition.

Dr. Blandford,

message from Control, sir.

- Thank you. Ladies and gentlemen.

ROSS:
May we have your attention, please?

BLANDFORD:

Hayden will be taking off in 30 seconds.

I've had radio equipment installed...

...so you can hear Hayden's

firsthand impressions...

...while he's in the air.

[ENGINES WHIRRING]

MICHAEL:

Skytest to Control. Skytest to Control.

- Skytest to Control. Over.

OPERATOR:
You're on. Over.

Hello, Mike. This is Blandford.

How is it? Over.

MICHAEL:

Everything's fine. Responding well.

I'm now cruising at 9000 feet.

Airfield looming up.

Airfield gone. Over.

You're on your own, Mike.

Commence test when ready. Over.

Pulling her up to vertical climb. Over.

BLANDFORD:

He's taking her up to 80,000 feet.

- And then what?

- He'll bring her down again.

- In one piece?

- Skytest to Blandford. Over.

- Sorry.

- Go ahead, Mike. Over.

I'm leveling out.

Coming down at maximum

velocity now. Over.

Pull her out, Mike, pull her out!

- He's left it too late.

- He's overshot.

[ENGINES RO ARING]

[ENGINES STOP]

Blandford to Skytest.

Blandford to Skytest.

Mike, for heaven's sake, answer.

That was the sound barrier.

And right now I'm about 80 miles away,

so you wouldn't hear me.

I'm riding along the rim of the coast.

Everything responding. Everything okay.

Quite a joy ride. Over.

How about fuel pressure? Over.

Everything normal.

Now returning to airfield. Over.

Well, ladies and gentlemen, we have

what we wanted, a successful test.

- He's finished? It's over?

- Not quite, Miss Hamilton. Not quite.

- We have to go through that again?

- Receiving loud and clear, Miss Hamilton.

It's nice to have you worry about me. Just

a few routine aerobatics before I come in.

Very pretty to watch.

And who knows, I might even

provide you with a suicide. Over.

Nice work, Mike.

Thank you, Simms.

Ladies and gentlemen,

Operation Stardust will go ahead tomorrow.

I still bet we don't take off tomorrow.

There's nothing to stop us, is there?

I'm getting to a state

I don't believe anything anymore.

Well, everything's set.

- What time?

- Start warming up at 0915 hours.

- Take off 1000 hours.

- All right, I lose my bet.

I suggest you both take it easy.

Try and get some sleep. You'll need it.

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