Press Releases

Fly Them To The Moon

28 January 2012

Paul Bens

With or Without Newt, Space: 1999 Fans Plan to Celebrate Iconic Moonbase Alpha

LOS ANGELES, CA – January 27, 2012—2012 is apparently the year of the moon base. Earlier in the week, Russian space agency Roscosmos announced their plans for a permanent base on Earth’s Moon, inviting NASA and the European Space Agency (ESA) to join them in project. And just two nights ago, presidential hopeful Newt Gingrich jumped on the lunar colonization bandwagon, promising a Florida audience that he’d build just such a base with eight short years.But there is a group of people who have long championed the idea of a lunar colony: fans of the cult-classic British television series Space: 1999.

Starring Oscar^TM winner Martin Landau and three-time Emmy Award^TM winner Barbara Bain, Space: 1999 followed the adventures of 311 men and women of Moonbase Alpha who are cut off from earth when a freak nuclear accident sends the moon careening out of orbit on an unending journey throughout the cosmos. Although it ran for only two seasons—from 1975-1977—the series has a devoted following of fans who, for the past 35 years, have religiously gathered at conventions to celebrate the series, mingle with the show’s stars and discuss the heady mix of science fiction and adventure Space: 1999 offered up. In fact, a group of fans were in the midst of planning Alpha: 2012, their latest fan convention, when Newt and the Russians had their imaginations captured by dreams of a real-life Moonbase Alpha.

“Who knew back in 1978 when the first convention was held that Space: 1999 would be so prominent in the news in 2012,” says Paul Stankevitch, a U.K. based fan and one of a group of people planning Alpha: 2012. “Just about every news organization in the past few days mentions the series and our Moonbase Alpha when reporting on Speaker Gingrich and the Russians’ proposals. It’s remarkable!”

To be held September 14-16, 2012 in Burbank, California, Alpha: 2012, will reunite fans from as far away as Poland and Italy with actors Nick Tate and Prentis Hancock, co-stars of Space: 1999, as well as actors Judy Geeson (To Sir With Love and Mad About You) and Roy Dotrice (Game of Thrones), both of whom made pivotal guest appearances in the series. And like past Space: 1999 conventions, Alpha: 2012 will help raise money for charity, this year a Multiple Sclerosis organization.

So, will Newt be welcome at Alpha: 2012? “Like all fans, Speaker Gingrich would be greeted with open arms,” laughs Stankevitch. “We’d give him a tour of our moon base. After all these years, I think we can definitely give him a few pointers about the pitfalls of lunar life.”

For more information about Alpha: 2012:www.alpha2012.net

Contact: Paul Bens, This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

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