War of the Satellites

War of the Satellites

Year: 1958

Runtime: 66 mins

Language: English

HorrorScience Fiction

Described by Life magazine as “the ultimate in scientific monsters,” the film follows an unknown force that declares war on Earth after the United Nations ignores warnings and continues assembling the world’s first artificial satellite in orbit. The resulting conflict threatens humanity’s survival as the nascent space program becomes a battlefield.

Warning: spoilers below!

Haven’t seen War of the Satellites yet? This summary contains major spoilers. Bookmark the page, watch the movie, and come back for the full breakdown. If you're ready, scroll on and relive the story!

Timeline & Setting – War of the Satellites (1958)

Explore the full timeline and setting of War of the Satellites (1958). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

Location

Earth, United Nations Sigma Project facility, Space near Andromeda

The action centers on the United Nations' Sigma Project facility on Earth, a hub for monitoring cosmic signals and launching satellites. The control room and lab scenes illustrate a high-stakes scientific environment where researchers race to interpret alien signals. The narrative travels from ground operations to the satellite's voyage into space, culminating near a mysterious barrier in space close to Andromeda.

🌍 Earth 🛰️ Space Program

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:07

Main Characters – War of the Satellites (1958)

Meet the key characters of War of the Satellites (1958), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Dave Boyer (Dick Miller)

An astronomer who spots anomalies in Van Ponder’s behavior and becomes central to uncovering the alien replication. Resourceful and steadfast, he confronts danger to protect the project and Sybil. His quick thinking helps orchestrate a plan to push the satellite through the barrier.

🧪 Scientist 🧭 Determined 🧠 Analytical

Dr. Howard Lazar (Eric Sinclair)

A physician-scientist at Sigma who studies the suspicious events surrounding Van Ponder. He is a rational authority figure whose life is cut short by the alien’s duplications, highlighting the fragility of human safeguards against extraterrestrial manipulation.

🧬 Doctor 🧠 Rational

Sybil Carrington (Susan Cabot)

A researcher who probes Van Ponder's odd behavior and later seeks answers after the murders. She demonstrates courage under pressure, navigating danger to uncover the truth and ultimately help David.

🔎 Investigator 🛡️ Brave

John Compo (Jered Barclay)

An astronomical engineer on the Sigma crew who suspects something is off and is paralyzed and killed when Van Ponder reveals his alien nature. He embodies the human cost of confronting an advanced, unknown threat.

🧰 Engineer 🪖 Victim

Pol Van Ponder (Richard Devon)

The alien replicant who infiltrates Sigma, murders colleagues, and attempts to manipulate the team to his advantage. He embodies the peril of unseen, strategic extraterrestrial threats.

👽 Alien 🗝️ Deceptive

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:07

Major Themes – War of the Satellites (1958)

Explore the central themes of War of the Satellites (1958), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

👽 Extraterrestrial Contact

Aliens send a message declaring humanity a disease and threaten a quarantine on a cosmic scale. The encounter raises questions about the consequences of space exploration and the responsibilities that come with contact with advanced civilizations.

🕵️ Infiltration

The alien replica infiltrates the Sigma project, sowing mistrust and turning colleagues into potential threats. The danger is both external and internal, leveraging deception to undermine human safeguards.

⚖️ Ethics of Exploration

The scientists confront moral boundaries of space exploration when faced with a dire warning from space. They weigh sacrifice, responsibility, and the potential consequences of pushing forward with risky actions.

Last Updated: October 04, 2025 at 16:07

Mobile App Preview

Coming soon on iOS and Android

The Plot Explained Mobile App

From blockbusters to hidden gems — dive into movie stories anytime, anywhere. Save your favorites, discover plots faster, and never miss a twist again.

Sign up to be the first to know when we launch. Your email stays private — always.

Unlock the Full Story of War of the Satellites

Don't stop at just watching — explore War of the Satellites in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what War of the Satellites is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

War of the Satellites Summary

Read a complete plot summary of War of the Satellites, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

War of the Satellites Summary

War of the Satellites Timeline

Track the full timeline of War of the Satellites with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

War of the Satellites Timeline

More About War of the Satellites

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about War of the Satellites: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About War of the Satellites

Similar Movies to War of the Satellites

Discover movies like War of the Satellites that share similar genres, themes, and storytelling elements. Whether you’re drawn to the atmosphere, character arcs, or plot structure, these curated recommendations will help you explore more films you’ll love.