The cooling system aboard the Alpha Space station has failed due to a malfunctioning valve and the temperature inside the capsule is dropping dangerously. At Houston, Dr. Singleton has called a meeting of department heads and experts. There is no other solution but to send another rocket which will take, at best, two days to be ready to launch. However, on station Alpha, Skip, with crewmate Vanessa Ashley and Commander Buck Fulton, is aware that the battery packs providing the power to heat their space suits will last only hours. Meanwhile, Harry and Mel, having seen a news report of the event, volunteer their services to attempt a rescue mission. With a little hesitancy, Singleton agrees and sends battery packs and a replacement valve along with Jim Webster, the original member of the crew that Skip replaced in order to be included, who will replace the valve. The trio, amidst warnings from Klinger to stay away from the satellite, set off to save the Alpha crew.
—Harry Tumilson