Marooned (1969)

Earth orbit → Earth → Earth orbit → Earth

No date is given; the crew is five months into a seven-month stay when the story begins.

1. 1

   Space station Earth, orbit · date unknown

   After five months aboard a Skylab-like station, the Ironman One crew is sent home early.

   Ironman One

2. 2

   Stranded in orbit Earth, orbit · date unknown

   Ironman One's engine will not fire for retrofire; with too little fuel to re-enter or redock, the crew is stuck.

   Meanwhile, at the Cape

3. 3

   Cape Kennedy Earth · date unknown

   The X-RV lifting body goes up on an untested Titan IIIC as the eye of a hurricane passes over the Cape.

   X-RV

4. 4

   Rescue in orbit Earth, orbit · date unknown

   Pruett is lost on a spacewalk; a Soviet Voskhod brings oxygen and Dougherty takes the two survivors aboard the X-RV.

   X-RV

5. 5

   Return to Earth Earth · date unknown

   The X-RV and the Soviet ship fire their retrorockets for home; Ironman One is left adrift.