'The Sun Temple' by Alan Fennell

Space City is preparing to fire meteor disbursement missiles at the rocks along a heavily-travelled space lane. The explosions will occur near the small, little-known planet of Rejusca, but no-one has contacted the inhabitants because the destruction will not affect anyone living there. However, after the first rocket, J-17, is detonated, the Rejuscans become furious over the new light in their sky, which they believe will offend their god. In retaliation, they use a heat-ray to destroy the missile launchers. Steve Zodiac and the crew of Fireball XL5 set off for Rejusca to investigate – but then Venus gets captured and sentenced to be burnt alive as a sacrifice to the Rejuscans’ god…

Paul Maxwell (Colonel Steve Zodiac), Sylvia Anderson (Doctor Venus), David Graham (Professor Matt Matic / Lieutenant 90 / Zoony the Lazoon / Zodan / Warrior Countdown), John Bluthal (Commander Zero / Kazak), Gerry Anderson (Robert the Robot)

Directed by Bill Harris
Produced by Gerry Anderson
Associate Producer Reg Hill

TX (UK - ITV):
29th April 1963

Notes:
*Featuring Colonel Steve Zodiac, Venus, Professor Matt Matic, Commander Zero, Lieutenant 90 and Robert the Robot