Oxygen pills were used by humans in the 2060s to allow for breathing in space without spacesuits.
In January 2065, Doctor Venus reminded Steve Zodiac not to forget his oxygen pills when he ventured from Fireball XL5 out into space in order to investigate an adrift space freighter. (COMIC: The Batmen)
In March 2065, Steve, Venus and Professor Matic were all left stranded in space with a limited supply of oxygen pills. (COMIC: Power Play, PROSE: Superjet Shot Down) Space Station M5 launched an emergency rescue ship in an attempt to save them (COMIC: Power Play) but did not arrive before Venus collapsed. (PROSE: Superjet Shot Down) However, all three would survive the experience without lasting injury. (COMIC: Space Border Battle et al.)
Behind the scenes[]
Oxygen pills originated from the Supermarionation series Fireball XL5 as a way to avoid getting the puppets in and out of spacesuits all the time. Dalek creator Terry Nation suggested the idea to Gerry Anderson during a visit to the A.P. Films studios.[1]