Journey into Space is a novelisation of the original eighteen-part radio serial.
Script Writer
Charles Chilton
Radio DetailsCharles Chilton
Journey into Space
21/09/53 — 19/01/54 / 18 × 30 Minutes / BBC Light Programme
Operation Luna
26/03/58 — 18/06/58 / 13 × 30 Minutes / BBC Light Programme
Archive Details / CD Releases
Only 5' 26" of episode eighteen from the original Journey into Space serial is known to exist. The story was subsequently remade in 1958 in thirteen parts — minus most of the material from the early episodes — as Operation Luna.
The re-make was released on audio cassette by the BBC in an edited form in 1989 (Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com) and again in 1998 (Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com). Operation Luna was finally released unedited in a CD box set in 2004 (Amazon.co.uk / Amazon.com), and this also included the existing segment from the original production. Although the box set has since been deleted, the production remains available as a download (Audible.co.uk / iTunes).
Journey into Space
Publisher Herbert Jenkins Format Hardback Publication Date 1954 Original Price UNKNOWN Country UK
Cover image supplied by
Gerard Nijssen
Gerard Nijssen
Sprong In Het Heelal: Operatie Luna
Publisher Elsevierreeks Format Hardback Publication Date 1957 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator E Franquinet Country Holland
Journey into Space
Publisher Pan Books Format Paperback Publication Date 1958 Original Price 2/- Country UK
Edition Notes
- The cover art for this edition was re-used in 2008 when BBC Audiobooks released their unabridged reading of the novelisation on CD.
Mission dans L'espace
Publisher Éditions Fleuve Noir Format Paperback Publication Date 1959 Original Price UNKNOWN Translators Luc Joye / Jean-Gaston Vandel Country France
Edition Notes
- Jean-Gaston Vandel was a pseudonym for Jean Libert and Gaston Vandenpanhuyse.
Viaggio Nello Spazio
Magazine Issue I Romanzi del Cosmo, Issue 27 Publication Date 1959 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Gianni Samaja Country Italy
Pustolovina na Mjesecu
Publisher Epoha Format Hardback Publication Date 1959 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Konstantin Miles Country Yugoslavia
Sprong In Het Heelal: Operatie Luna
Publisher Elsevier Pocket Format Paperback Publication Date 1962 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator E Franquinet Country Holland
Viaggio Nello Spazio
Magazine Issue Cosmo I Capolavori Della Fantascienza, Issue 13 Publication Date 1962 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Gianni Samaja Country Italy
Journey into SpaceJOURNEY INTO SPACE
"5, 4, 3, 2, 1 — fire!"
I tensed slightly, waiting for the roar of the motor to come pulsating through the aluminium frame of my bunk. But nothing happened. Only the slight feel of the big gyro.
"Well, press the ignition switch," said Mitch.
"I did," replied Jet. "Nothing happened."
"Press it again."
A pause.
"Still nothing."
"Hey, Jet." It was Lemmy now. "the radar — it's cut."
The picture on the miniature screen above my head blurred, darkened, and went out. We were plunged into deep, impenetrable darkness.
"Everything's stopped," came Jet's voice from the bunk above. I could hear him pressing buttons. "there's not a thing in the ship that works."
Publisher Digit Books Format Paperback Publication Date 1963 Original Price 2/6 Country UK
Odissia Cosmica
Magazine Issue I Romanzi del Cosmo, Issue 183 Publication Date 1966 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Giovanna Galli Country Italy
La Voz Del Espacio
Publisher UNKNOWN Format UNKNOWN Publication Date 1966 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Francisco Cazorla Olmos Country Spain
Viaggio Nello Spazio
Magazine Issue Cosmo I Capolavori Della Fantascienza, Issue 191 Publication Date 1966 Original Price UNKNOWN Translator Gianni Samaja Country Italy
Mission dans L'espace
Publisher Éditions Fleuve Noir Format Paperback Publication Date 1959 Original Price UNKNOWN Translators Luc Joye / Jean-Gaston Vandel Country France
Edition Notes
- Jean-Gaston Vandel was a pseudonym for Jean Libert and Gaston Vandenpanhuyse.
Journey into SpaceWilliam Hope reads the complete and unabridged novelisation of Charles Chilton's hugely successful radio series, "Journey Into Space Destination — the Moon!"
No other adventurers had ever faced greater hazards than the crew of the rocket-ship Luna when she hurtled into space. Jet Morgan, ace pilot, was her captain. With him were her Australian designer, Mitch; Lemmy, the Cockney radio operator; and Doc, whose diary astonished everyone...
Charles Chilton's classic science fiction radio serial stormed the BBC airwaves between 1953 and 1958. With its gripping storylines and tense cliffhangers, it kept a devoted audience of almost eight million people enthralled during its three series. So popular were the radio serials that Chilton was inspired to write a trilogy of bestselling novels featuring Captain Jet Morgan and his crew.
First published in 1954, this thrilling first story is read by Aliens star William Hope, and tells how the Luna's adventures began.
Publisher BBC Audiobooks Format 6 × CD / Download Publication Date May 2008 Narrator William Hope Running Time 7h 6m Original Price £24.99 ISBN-10 1405688688 ISBN-13 978-1405688680 Country UK
Edition Notes
- The cover art for this edition is taken from the original Pan Books paperback edition from 1958.
General Notes
- After the recording of The Red Planet and The World in Peril it was realised that if the first story, Journey into Space, still existed they could have been sold abroad as a trilogy. Journey into Space was therefore re-recorded by the BBC in 1958 as Operation Luna, with much of the material from the first five episodes being removed to reduce the story to thirteen episodes.
