Podcast Summary: Space Patrol – "The Queen of Space"

Podcast: Harold's Old Time Radio
Episode: Space_Patrol_52-11-15_007_The_Queen_of_Space
Release Date: February 16, 2026
Source: Golden Age of Radio science fiction adventure

Episode Overview

This classic Space Patrol episode, "The Queen of Space," follows Commander Buzz Corey and Cadet Happy as they investigate a string of sabotages targeting passenger ships traversing the distant outer planets. As mysterious accidents beset the Spaceways line, tensions build between rival interplanetary shipping companies. With undercover agent Tonga enlisted, the heroes unravel a sabotage plot orchestrated by the formidable Jelna Fenton, notorious head of the Transorbit lines—soon to become known as the titular “Queen of Space.” The adventure spans spaceports, sabotage, daring rescues, and culminates in a high-stakes confrontation.

Major Discussion & Story Points

1. Sabotage and Trouble on the Outer Planets

• Setting: Neptune City, Uranus, Pluto—hazardous outer reaches of the solar system
• Freight and passenger ships have been plagued by accidents, mostly with Spaceways Inc.
• The primary suspects are questionable maintenance or deliberate sabotage.

Quote

• Commander Corey: "It’s our job to find out what the trouble is before any human lives are sacrificed." (04:19)

2. Infiltration and Undercover Investigation

• Tonga, the Space Patrol’s Assistant Security Chief, goes undercover as a magazine writer to observe and gather evidence.
• Buzz and Happy stay on base, performing routine inspections and staying in touch with Tonga via miniature spaceophone.

Notable Segment

• Tonga’s orders and role described:
  • Corey: "You'll pose as a writer for a magazine… It'll give you a chance to observe conditions around spaceports and watch the personnel.” (05:00)

3. Discovery of the Saboteurs

• Villains revealed: Brock's Cardo and Jelna Fenton (Transorbit head, “Queen of Space”)
• Their plan: sabotage Spaceways ships to ruin its reputation and push customers to Transorbit.
• New sabotage plan involves tampering with orbit computers and placing timed explosives.

Notable Moment

• Jelna’s ambition:
  • Brock's Cardo: “If you keep on, Jelna, you'll be known as the Queen of Space.”
  • Jelna: “The Queen of Space. You know, Cardo, I think I rather like that.” (06:42)

4. Crisis Aboard the Passenger Ship

• Tonga discovers her ship is off-course, suspects sabotage. The onboard spaceophone is also sabotaged.
• Buzz and Happy, flying nearby, covertly guide the stranded ship back to safety on Neptune.

Quote

• Tonga: “I'm in my private compartment. I think the ship is off course… I heard the steward say the ship's spaceophone is out of commission.” (07:19)
• Cadet Happy: “They sure are off course by nearly 30 degrees.” (07:41)

5. The Explosive Threat and Confrontation

• Brock’s Cardo attempts to plant a bomb on the prestigious Spaceways ship, the Comet.
• Buzz and Happy catch him (15:00+), but are taken by surprise and imprisoned on board with the bomb set to detonate after takeoff.

Memorable Scene

• Brock's Cardo, to Corey and Happy (armed): “There’s an explosive hidden in the aft compartment. Timed to go off two hours after blast off tomorrow… It looks like there’ll be two extra passengers, Commander. The cadet and you.” (16:03)

6. Race Against Time: The Rescue

• Tonga, eavesdropping on Jelna and Cardo, realizes Buzz and Happy are trapped.
• She rescues them just before the ship blasts off and the bomb detonates.

Heroic Moment

• Cadet Happy: "We've got to get loose... there's a bomb aboard this ship." (19:26)
• Happy: "When somebody comes aboard, maybe they can hear us pounding on the door." (19:41)
• Tonga arrives: "Happy, are you all right?... I overheard Cardo tell Jelna so." (20:20)

7. Final Showdown: Kidnapping and Space Pursuit

• Jelna and Cardo kidnap Tonga as insurance and flee toward Saturn.
• Buzz and Happy pursue, confronting them ship-to-ship in space.
• Corey dons a spacesuit, breaches Jelna's ship using an atomic torch, and subdues the criminals.

Climactic Exchange

• Jelna (to Corey): "You wouldn't want to risk harming your assistant security chief, would you?" (24:00)
• Corey’s risky plan and rescue (spacewalk): (25:00–27:17)

8. Resolution

• Jelna Fenton and Brock's Cardo are apprehended; their plan foiled.
• Lighthearted close: Happy jokes about the magazine article on Jelna’s new notoriety.

Closing Banter

• Corey: "Happy, Tonga and I've got Cardo and Ms. Fenton. She seems pretty unhappy. I suppose she's disappointed because there won't be an article about her in the Inner Planet Weekly."
• Happy: "Well, tell her to cheer up, sir. There'll be a nice long one about her in the next Space Patrol crime report." (27:32)

Notable Quotes & Moments With Timestamps

• On the scale of the Spaceways sabotage:

  • Corey: "A freighter could make 16 trips from Earth to Mercury... while other freighters make only one trip from Neptune to Pluto." (03:51)

• On suspicion of sabotage:

  • Tonga: "The orbit computer in the ship had been tampered with. So had the space phone transmitter." (13:36)

• On Jelna's methods:

  • Jelna: "Did anyone see you?"
    • Cardo: "Yes, Commander Corey of the Space Patrol."
    • Jelna: "What? ... I took care of him and his cadet both. They're locked up on the ship. When the ship blows up tomorrow, they'll wait." (18:54–19:11)

• On tension during pursuit:

  • Jelna (threatening Corey): “If you don't want her harmed, then I suggest you just go about your own business and leave us alone. Goodbye, Commander.” (24:15)

Timestamps for Key Segments

| Segment | Timestamp | |---------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------| | Intro: The string of ship accidents & investigation | 03:16–05:27 | | Unveiling the sabotage plot | 06:00–06:51 | | Tonga’s ship sabotaged, guided to safety | 07:08–10:20 | | Cardo & Jelna escalate sabotage – bomb plot | 12:44–13:19 | | Buzz & Happy ambushed, left with bomb | 15:28–16:15 | | Tonga's rescue of Buzz & Happy | 19:26–20:28 | | Jelna & Cardo flee, kidnap Tonga | 21:10–22:19 | | Space pursuit and final confrontation | 24:27–27:32 | | Closing banter & case resolved | 27:17–27:43 |

Overall Tone and Style

The episode maintains the pulpy, energetic feel of classic radio sci-fi—a mix of suspense, camaraderie, earnest heroics, and hard-boiled dialogue. The pace is brisk, with smart, practical plans, tight teamwork, and clever reversals. The villainy is over-the-top, and the moral lines are clear: the protection of innocent travelers and the triumph of interplanetary justice.

For New Listeners

Even without prior knowledge of Space Patrol or its characters, this is a quintessential old-time radio space adventure. Intrigue, undercover detective work, sabotage, and heroics blend seamlessly in a fast-paced, satisfying arc. The episode wraps with justice restored—leaving listeners with a preview of next week’s suspenseful mission.

Teaser for Next Week:
A perilous climb on Saturn’s cliffs, a criminal chased, and a looming landslide—don’t miss “The Giant Bubble”!

End of Summary