Zero-XL was the designation given to the solar system deep exploration and rescue spaceship, powered by a fully functioning T-Drive engine. Designed and built by Brains and the Mechanic, its sole purpose was to travel to the Oort Cloud in order to rescue Jeff Tracy. The Zero-XL has multiple docking capabilities which facilitates Thunderbirds 1, 2, 3, and 5 docking simultaneously.
Specifications[]
Engines[]
- Main body: 1 T-Drive engine, 2 side mounted boosters powered by the T-Drive.
Design[]
The Zero-XL consists of three parts, the main body and the two side mounted boosters, all of which are blue in colour. The main body consists of an oblong structure at the top, with the cockpit on top of that. The sides of this structure are additional rounded structures that hold the side mounted boosters. Behind the cockpit is an airlock that allows pilots to enter and exit the craft. Because the cockpit does not have any windows, the pilot relies on the Zero-XL’s instrumentation, such as sonar and radar, to pilot the craft. In order to enter and exit Earth’s atmosphere without burning and getting destroyed, the Zero-XL possesses highly advanced heat and radiation shielding. The sides of the craft, just under the cockpit, have ‘Zero-XL’ in white. The sides of the booster thrusters have this detailing as well.
Control Deck[]
The Zero-XL’s cockpit has a rounded rectangular floor plan, with 7 consoles along the walls, and a passenger seat in the middle. At the front of the cockpit, in the middle, is the Helmsman console. In front of the helmsman are two control cylinders that control the direction that the craft flies on. On the left of the helmsman is a lever that controls the Zero-XL’s speed. Above the control cylinders is a holographic emitter that is used to show the helmsman the surrounding environment. The button panel in the middle of the console, paired with the holographic emitter, allows Alan to monitor the environment to allow him to proficiently pilot the craft. On the right of the helmsman console is the captain console. This has two button panels and a holographic emitter that allows Scott to monitor the current situation so that he can make plans and give orders. On the right of the captain console is the lookout console. This has two button panels and a holographic emitter that is used by John to ensure the Zero-XL has a clear path and does not hit anything during its flight. On the right of the lookout console is the airframe and structure console. This console has two button panels and a holographic emitter that allows Virgil to monitor the Zero-XL’s airframe and structural. On the left of the helmsman is the navigator console. In front of the navigator are two button panels and a holographic emitter that allow Gordon to set a course for Alan to follow. On the left of the navigator console is a spare console. This console has two button panels and a holographic emitter that remains unused. On the left of the spare console is the flight and propulsion console. This has two button panels and a holographic emitter that is used by Brains to monitor the Zero-XL’s engines and thrusters.
Equipment[]
The Zero-XL does not have any equipment specifically for rescue situations. Instead of this, the craft has a dock for four of the Thunderbirds. These docks possess electromagnets that are used to keep the Thunderbirds in place. As well as this, the Zero-XL has corridors that allow access between the cockpit and the Thunderbirds’ docks, going directly to the cockpit. Thunderbird 1’s dock is at the top of the Zero-XL, behind the cockpit. This covers the top of the craft, leaving the thruster exposed. Thunderbird 2’s dock is at the bottom of the craft, holding up the top of the craft, leaving the bottom exposed. Thunderbird 3’s dock is at the back of the Zero-XL, covering the majority of the rocket, leaving the thrusters and grasping arms exposed. The grasping arm at the bottom of the Zero-XL extends to cover the bottom of Thunderbird 2 and assist in holding Thunderbird 5 in place. Thunderbird 5’s dock is at the front of the Zero-XL, holding the space station by its cargo bay. Thunderbird 3’s upper grasping arms are extended to hold the gravity and keep Thunderbird 5 in place.
Launch Sequence[]
Once the first 4 Thunderbirds have been assembled into the body of the Zero-XL, with Thunderbird 4 inside Thunderbird 2, the craft is launched from a special rig platform far from Tracy Island.
Take Off Attack[]
During the ships blast off countdown, the launch pad is attacked by the Chaos Crew. As the structure begins to collapse into the sea, the Zero-XL is still able to successfully launch and make it to space, Where it assembles with Thunderbird 5.
Inside The Oort Cloud[]
After activating the ship's T-Drive engine the Zero-XL was propelled to the Oort Cloud, taking a matter of seconds. Once again the engine worked better than expected as the ship overshot it's destination target by a few million miles and ended up arriving inside the Oort Cloud. Once there John Tracy used the ships powerful scanners and sensors to successfully locate Jeff's distress message.
Returning to Earth[]
After the Scott Tracy found Jeff and brought him back to Thunderbird 2, John informed Brains that they are returning to the Zero-XL. However, Brains discovered that they had a stowaway on board, none other than the Hood, who still wanted to get his hands on the T-Drive engine. He locked Brains and MAX in a storage locker, and then, disguising himself as Brains, tried to trap the Tracy brothers, Jeff and their Thunderbird machines in the Oort Cloud by activating the T-Drive engine. However, his plan was foiled by John using Thunderbird 2 to send an electromagnetic shock to reset the T-Drive engine, and by Jeff who was able to see through the Hood's disguise.
Once everyone was back aboard, and the Thunderbird machines locked back in place (not to mention the Hood tied up inside the storage locker), the Zero-XL returned to Earth.
Crew[]
On its mission to the Oort Cloud, the Zero-XL was piloted by a crew of six. Originally, Kayo was part of the crew, but she stayed behind to protect Tracy Island.
Trivia[]
- The "XL" in the name of bears similarity to the titular spacecraft in the AP Films production Fireball XL5.
- The way in which the entire Thunderbird fleet are docked together within Zero-XL is similar to the way in which Thunderbird 1, 2 and 3 are docked together in Thunderbirds 2086.
- It is not known what became of the Zero-XL once it returned to Earth. It was last seen when it re-entered Earth's orbit. It is possible that it was partially dismantled and stored away, while the Thunderbird craft returned to their normal ways.
- It is possible that the Zero-XL was constructed using Brains' Nano-construction technology, given how quickly it was built. This was used to construct the Estrella Grand Space Hotel in Falling Skies - Virgil noted that the entire hotel auto-assembled within one week.