Thunderbird Three

Thunderbird 3

Here are the Canon Foundry facts about Thunderbird Three, all taken from the International Rescue Thunderbirds Agents’ Technical Manual written by Sam Denham (2012):

Dimensions

Length: 287 feet

Nacelle Span: 80 feet

Diameter: 23 feet

Weight: 562 tons

Performance

Launch Thrust: 4.5 million pounds

Standard Acceleration: 1g

Maximum Sustained Acceleration: 6g

Emergency Acceleration: 10g

Range: Unlimited

Power

Power source: Atomic fusion reactor

Engines

3 chemical rocks used for launch, landing, emergency boost and orbit change
3 ion-drive particle accelerators used in deep space

Pitch and Yaw Rockets

12 in middle ring for course corrections
20 in nose and 24 at rear for attitude adjustment

Other Information

Forward sensor array detects debris ahead of the craft so that course corrections can be made using the pitch and yaw rockets
Has a MIDAS anti-detection system
Has an ergonomically simplified flight console which maintains its control systems, allowing pilot to concentrate on course correction and maneuvering procedures
Outer airlock hatch provides access from the flight deck to Thunderbird 5‘s docking bay.
The airlock, and Thunderbird 5‘s docking bay access ramp, is gravity variable enabling the pilot to be reorientated with Thunderbird 5‘s gravity systems (which are at 90 degrees to Thunderbird 3‘s gravity direction)
Main view screen is linked to hull cameras and telemetry data computer systems
Has two airlocks, both of which can open to space if necessary and are accessible from flight deck, turbo lift and emergency access tunnel
Central storage units contain spacesuit helmets, emergency breathing apparatus, survival equipment, medical supplies, food and water
Outer ring storage units contain spacesuits, oxygen tanks and rescue equipment
Contains sleeping quarters for longer journeys
Toilet and shower both have zero-gravity operating systems
The Tracy villa lounge couch remains atop the entry tunnel during flight
Three lift off/acceleration couches for use by additional personnel
An emergency access tunnel runs alongside the turbo lift providing access to all decks in the event of power failure
Lift doors can be manually overridden to gain entry to the decks in the event of a power failure
An artificial gravity generating ring is built into the decks of all levels
Docking sensors ensure that Thunderbird 3 aligns with Thunderbird 5
Retro-rocket nozzles can be sealed for re-entry when not used for atmospheric braking
Dual-flywheel motor assemblage: attitude alteration is achieved by spinning the twin flywheels in opposite directions, supplementing the pitch and yaw and retro rockets located at the rear of the craft, the central ring, docking ring and nose
Tractor beam guidance sensor enables Thunderbird 3 to land safely in its hanger below the Round House on Tracy Island
A ring of electricity generators powered by the fusion reactor provides power for the ion drive and life support systems

Information from the Thunderbirds Information Sheet:

Colour – Red with black markings
Length – 200 feet
Pilot – Alan Tracy