Seeds of Death - Launch pad

From the Doctor Who story - The Seeds of Death (1969)

Sometime in the future, The Ice Warriors (Martians) have invaded a moon base that operates a global matter transmission system which the world now totally relies upon. Utilising the 'T-Mat', the Ice Warriors transport deadly seed pods to Earth that explode and swamp the environment with a deadly foam.

The Doctor (who at this time cannot effectively steer the TARDIS) agrees to pilot an outdated rocket to the moon in order to regain control of T-Mat and thwart the Ice Warriors.


I always loved those 1950s views of rockets waiting on launch pads, iluminated from below in beams of light that make their appearance both stately and dramatic. There's a certain suspense in that sort of imagery as you can imagine the long preparation and the countdown as the powerful rocket waits in abeyance, steaming and dripping whilst activity bustles around it. Until all is ready and everyone withdraws. A silence descends, only broken by the echoing distant PA as the countdown reaches zero...

This image was published in the book 'Whoniverse' by Lance Parkin.