Fireball XL5 is a science fiction-themed children's television show following the missions of spaceship Fireball XL5, commanded by Colonel Steve Zodiac of the World Space Patrol. The show was produced in 1962 by husband and wife team Gerry and Sylvia Anderson through their company APF, in association with ATV for ITC Entertainment. While developing his new show, Anderson thought a brand of motor oil—Castrol XL—had an interesting sound. A phonetic change created the name "Fireball XL", with the "-5" added as the title seemed a bit flat without the numeral. The show featured the Andersons' Supermarionation, a form of puppetry first introduced in Four Feather Falls and Supercar and used again in their subsequent productions such as Stingray and Captain Scarlet. Thirty-nine black and white half-hour episodes of Fireball XL5 were made on 35mm film: all future Anderson series were produced in colour. Several Anderson series have been shown in syndication in the US, but Fireball XL5 is the only Anderson series to have run on a US network. NBC ran the series in its Saturday morning children's block from 1963 through to September 1965. A similar programme often confused with Fireball XL5 is Space Patrol, produced by Gerry Anderson's ex business partner and co-founder of AP Films, Arthur Provis due to a number of similarities and settings.
CreatorsSylvia Anderson, Gerry Anderson
Planet 46
Oct 28, 1962
After intercepting a missile on course for earth, Steve Zodiac and the crew of the XL5 travel to Planet 46 and discover the Subterrains who launch another missile at the earth with Venus trapped inside.
The Doomed Planet
Nov 4, 1962
The Fireball XL5 narrowly misses a planet that bas broken out of it's orbit and realize the planet is on a collision course for the planet Membrono. After concluding the planets are uninhabited, Steve realizes he saw a flying saucer and after the ship lands at Venus' house, the XL5 is lured back to save the planet Membrono from destruction.
Space Immigrants
Nov 11, 1962
Venus and Prof. Matic are about to set off in the Mayflower 3 to colonise the nearby planet, New Earth. But the Advance Scout has been kidnapped by two evil midgets who plan to hold the new immigrants captive.
Plant Man From Space
Nov 18, 1962
After a blackout at Space City, a missile gets through the radar blackout, and is heading towards Space City with a dangerous cargo...
Spy in Space
Nov 25, 1962
The crew of XL5 encounter Boris and Griselda the space pirates on the Companion 12 space station.
The Sun Temple
Dec 2, 1962
When experimenting with a new warhead in space, Steve Zodiac is forced to save Venus from the clutches from the sinister Cult of Miras before she can be sacrificed to their sun-god...
XL5 to H2O
Dec 9, 1962
Everyone on planet Zolpheid is killed in an Aquaphibian attack, except for Rald and Jerek. Receiving an SOS, Space City sends Fireball XL5 to rescue the two from Zolpheid's oceans.
Space Pirates
Dec 16, 1962
While babysitting Commander Zero's son, Jonathan, Venus tells him story about when Fireball XL5 encountered a group of space pirates.
Flying Zodiac
Dec 23, 1962
As Steve celebrates the anniversary of his family's circus act, Venus falls asleep and dreams of a plot devised by Mr and Mrs Space Spy and the nomadic Monadians to take over the Earth…
Space Pen
Dec 30, 1962
To capture a group on criminals, Steve, Matt and Venus pretend to steal XL5.
Space Monster
Jan 6, 1962
Fireball XL2 has crashed on Planet Monotane, and Fireball XL5 is sent to investigate, only to run into a sort of space dinosaur...
The Last of the Zanadus
Jan 13, 1963
Major Jim Ireland returns to Earth after 10 years in space, but unknown to everyone, he has become an agent for Kudos, the only survivor from the planet Zanadu, who wants revenge on all Lazoones for destroying his people.
Planet of Platonia
Jan 20, 1963
The Fireball XL5 foils an attempted bombing while transporting the King of Platonia and is caught in the middle of the plot to assassinate the King and sent two planets into war.
The Triads
Jan 27, 1963
After detecting a series of massive explosions in space, Steve and the crew of XL5 find a planet three times bigger than Earth, but they soon crash land...
Wings of Danger
Feb 3, 1963
On Planet 46, the Subterraineans plan revenge on Zodiac and send a robot bird to infect him with radium.
Convict in Space
Feb 10, 1963
After top secret plans are stolen from Earth, XL5 enocunters Boris and Griselda, but Matt is captured.
Space Vacation
Feb 17, 1963
Kernak, ruler of Kemple plots the resettlement of his people to Planet Olympus by poisoning Olympus' ruler's son. Venus and Matt are captured and must be rescued by Steve.
Flight to Danger
Feb 24, 1963
Lt. 90 qualifies for his astronauts wings by landing XL5 in one piece and then piloting XL1 off the launch rail, but on his return to Earth in a capsule, he finds it has caught fire!
Prisoner on The Lost Planet
Mar 3, 1963
Fireball XL5 recieves a distress call on a distant planet, and Steve Zodiac journeys to investigate.
The Forbidden Planet
Mar 10, 1963
At Space Observatory 1, Matt and Dr. Stamp work on a new Ultrascope space probe. However, the people of the planet the probe is sent to observe don't take too kindly to being watched and kidnap the scientists.
Robert to the Rescue
Mar 17, 1963
While stargazing, Prof. Matic discovers a new planet, but it doesn't read on any electronic instruments. Curious, Steve and the others set out in the XL5 to investigate, and find that the planet is more sinister than first thought...
Dangerous Cargo
Mar 24, 1963
On a survey of Pharos, the crew of XL5 disocver the planet is unstable and must be destroyed. After setting up bombs, someone traps Steve and the others in with it.
Mystery Of The TA2
Mar 31, 1963
Whilst on patrol, the XL5 comes across the wreck of an old spaceship. Setting out to investigate, they find it to be the TA2, that disappeared in the 2020's, and the hunt is on to find her pilot...
Drama At Space City
Apr 7, 1963
With Steve and Venus on vacation, Commander Zero is left to look after Zoonie the Lazoon, who causes havoc in Space City with Commander Zeros' son, Jonathan.
1875
Apr 14, 1963
Matt completes his new time machine and sends Robert back to 1875, but Steve, Venus and Zero are accidently sent back as well.
The Granatoid Tanks
Apr 21, 1963
On Planet 73, two scientists working at a mineral research lab discover that they in the path of six tanks controlled by Granatoid robots. They can only be stopped using a rare material, but all the supplies have run out!
The Robot Freighter Mystery
Apr 28, 1963
Robot freighters are being sabotaged by a shoddy space salvage company, and Steve Zodiac is determined to find the proof he needs to bring the sleazy brothers to justice.
Whistle for Danger
May 5, 1963
On planet Floran, the crew of XL5 try to discover what is killing the plants there, however the native people believe they are an invasion force and drug their food.
Trial by Robot
May 12, 1963
A mechanics professor is giving a lecture on robotics at Space City. But barely a few days after his visit, Robert suddenly rebels and steals Fireball XL1! Steve and Venus follow him in the XL5, but find themselves prisoner of a robotic society, with Robert as their jailer.
A Day in the Life of a Space General
May 19, 1963
While drawing a schematic for a new radar screen, Lt. Ninety is surprised to find himself promoted to the rank of General!
Invasion Earth
May 26, 1963
There is a strange fog descending on Space City, blocking out communications with the rest of the outside world. But what does this strange cloud hide?
Faster Than Light
Jun 2, 1963
While on route to Space Station 9, Steve loses control of XL5. Racing out of control, XL5 passes the light barrier resulting in the loss of all but an hours worth of oxygen.
The Day the Earth Froze
Jun 9, 1963
XL27 makes an emergency landing at Space City and the crew are all found to be unconcious. XL27's route is traced back to planet Zavia where the inhabitants plan to freeze the Earth by deflecting the sun's rays.
The Fire Fighters
Jun 16, 1963
Blazing fireballs from a space cloud cause widespread damage on Earth. XL5 is sent to investigate but it catches fire and has to retreat. Steve proposes using an old satellite to detonate the cloud, but a fireball is heading directly to Space City.
Space City Special
Jun 23, 1963
General Rossiter comes to Space City to present Steve with the Astronaut of the Year award. XL5 and the ground staff put on a song and dance show to raise money for charity. Meanwhile Venus is put in danger aboard a new supersonic jet liner.
Ghosts Of Space
Oct 6, 1963
XL5 transports Geologist Frazer to Electron for a survey. When Frazer discovers a strange rock in a deserted town, he goes mad and threatens to destroy Fireball Junior, if Steve doesn't take the rocks back to Earth.
Hypnotic Sphere
Oct 13, 1963
The crew of the XL5 becomes entranced by a strange alien sphere and Robert is the only one who can save the crew.
Sabotage
Oct 20, 1963
On patrol, Fireball XL5 suddenly catches fire. The cause, sabotage! Commander Zero sends Light Patrol LP22 to investigate, but the XL5 crew have disappeared...
Space Magnet
Oct 27, 1963
The XL5 becomes caught in the gravitational pull of planet Megneton and discovers the plot by the Solars to bring the Earth's moon into their orbit.
