Updated: December 23, 2025

When I watched this show on the first night it premiered back in the fall of 1965 ( Yes, I am that old ) this ship was the most advanced piece of science fiction equipment to have ever aired on television and no, it was not just a shuttle. It was originally just one deck for the first pilot episode but was changed to have a lower deck with living quarters, a galley, labs etc. It was supposed to house a family of five plus one pilot ( Dr. Smith "just happened to be on board" ) and take them to a new planet where they could live. This ship was designed to sustain them after landing. The first episode says the ship is "bold in concept, brilliant in execution". The voice over says it is "the most sophisticated piece of hardware yet devised by the mind of man" and for the early 1960's, it was!