Jupiter 2000 Launch Party Photo Feature--The Beginning

For many of us, Lost in Space represents an era in which our childhood dreams were--on TV--a reality; we witnessed a family embark on a journey to a new world, battling and overcoming the obstacles that beset them. We took part in that journey as we tuned in weekly and watched the episodes unfold.

For the past four years, a group of Lost in Space fans has celebrated October 16, 1997--the day on which the Jupiter 2 lifted off from Earth during the first episode The Reluctant Stowaway. This year we decided to move our launch party to the actual location where the exterior scenes were filmed for the 1st season.

This was our journey: to examine first hand actual areas in which the Jupiter 2, Jet Pack, Chariot, and Cyclops scenes were set, and to investigate the mystery of the planet called Priplanus. For dedicated Lost in Space fans, it's still possible to immerse yourself in the wonders that made this TV show so spectacular. At the time of this writing, there appears to be significant interest by many fans to revisit this historical area next October. We hope to see you there.

			In the first aired Lost in Space episode The Reluctant Stowaway, the Jupiter 2 leaves Earth for Alpha Centauri on Oct. 16, 1997. If you witnessed the show when it premiered on Wed. Sept. 15, 1965, it's been over thirty-six years since you saw this event. It's our fortune that many childhood experiences tend to become etched upon our memories, remaining with us through marriage, mortgage, and career.
	This is the beginning . . .
			America's highest hopes are with the crew of the Jupiter 2 when they board their ship for their long journey to Alpha Centauri. Their mission is to discover a suitable planet for colonization. The Robinson family, co-pilot Don West, and the B9 Robot comprised the first of what are to be many subsequent space flights to this solar system. The Earth would soon be inhospitable, making colonization a necessity, not just a pleasurable adventure.
	The Jupiter 2 sits atop its launch pad at Alpha Control.
			Just before liftoff, the entire crew enters suspended animation to minimize the effects of aging during the long space flight. The odds of them ever reaching Alpha Centauri soon become much worse than anything Alpha Control has planned for. Dr. Smith's untimely "quick" trip back to the Jupiter 2 to finish sabotaging the Robot informally makes him the mission's last, and unwilling crew member.
	Atomic power comes into play as the Jupiter 2 lifts off from Earth for Alpha Centauri.
			Compounding the navigational errors caused by the addition of Dr. Smith's weight, the Jupiter 2 then strays into the path of an oncoming meteor shower, which damages their navigational equipment, leaving them without bearings, and with little hope. Soon afterwards, the Robot adds to their terror when it commences its destructive sequence of events, due to Dr. Smith's malicious programming.
	An outbreak of meteors batter the Jupiter 2, sending it further off its intended course.
			Fast forward to episode three: Island in the Sky. John Robinson's parajets fail while he conducts a solo flight to investigate the planet they are orbiting in the Jupiter 2. Dr. Smith has tampered with the parajets, as well as with the Jupiter 2's navigational equipment. Don forces Dr. Smith back into his freezing tube before ordering the rest of the crew to strap in for a crash landing.
	Priplanus looms as the Jupiter 2 comes in for a crash landing.
			As the planet's rocky features come into view, disaster is imminent. The Jupiter 2 comes in fast and hard, its Deutronium starved engines wailing at maximum thrust, with sorrowfully little power to show for their sound and fury. It skims the tops of the rocks before crash landing on the planet the crew later calls Priplanus. Miraculously, the crew has survived, but the Jupiter 2 has suffered significant damage.
	The Jupiter 2, seconds before it crashes.

Priplanus. A long way from Earth. A long way from any human help. Realism for these stunning scenes was made possible by the incredible features of two locations in the California Mojave desert called Trona Pinnacles and Red Rock Canyon. These are the two primary areas featured in the pilot episode and early first season episodes where our intrepid crew is now hopelessly lost in space.

In a fashion similar to the flight of the Jupiter 2 crew, our journey brought us together from the comfort of our distant homes to the richness of this unexplored new world.