The station's crew suffers from an unusual number of accidents and mistakes. Director Caulder must deal with the problems while trying to operate within his Earth-bound superiors' budgetary limitations.

An accident strands Tom Hill in a shuttle between Earth and the Moon. The only person who can save him is Colonel Gararov, a Russian cosmonaut. However, to rescue Hill, Gararov would have to disobey the orders of his superior: General Trenkin, Commander of the Russian moon base.

The Artic Sun Project proposes to use a nuclear explosion over the Artic, thereby, melting the ice and creating a ""Garden of Eden."" The project's designer, Sir Benjamin Dyce comes to Moonbase 3 in an attempt to stop the program for fear that the explosion can not be contained and it will lead to the extinction of mankind. Dyce is unable to convince others of his concern and the nuclear device is detonated. As a thick haze covers the Earth, the Moonbase scientists worry Dr. Dyce may be right.