During a routine space run, T.J. Thistle and Astro are enthusiastically following by long-range televiewer, the attempt of Captain Cowan, famous Solar Guard rocket buster, to establish a speed record for a run around Titan and back. Tom has a more objective opinion of Capt Cowan. The Cadets suddenly see Cowan's ship explode, but Cowan miraculously survives, and is rescued by the Polaris crew. Cowan decides to take another try at the Titan speed record and manages to appropriate the Polaris and crew in spite of the objections of Capt Strong. Strong recognizes Cowan for the glory seeker that he is. On his attempt to break the speed record Cowman's recklessness endangers the ship and Cowan bails out leaving the Cadets to the mercy of the space debris near the rings of Saturn.