View Full Version : Lost in Space launch site terminology


toyroy
03-31-2008, 09:48 AM
As an adjunct to the Master Want List, I thought we should get our terminology straight. I've heard folks refer to the launch pad structure as the "launch gantry". As I understand the usage, a rocket gantry is the tower alongside a rocket; NOT the launch pad itself.

So, in the case of Lost in Space, there is a launch pad, which the ship sits directly on, before launch. There are also three gantry towers, each sitting on a tracked base, immediately surrounding the pad. One of these gantries is situated directly opposite the ship's upper hull hatch.

Although the tracked bases have entrance doors with stairs at ground level, it is not clear(in the pilot) how the Robinson party made their way through the gantry to board the ship. In the third season episode "The Time Merchant", however, the gantry opposite the hatch is shown with an elevator and bridgeway to the hatch.

Y3a
03-31-2008, 10:17 AM
Light towers. Since they didn't assist the Jupiter on launch.

toyroy
03-31-2008, 03:22 PM
Light towers. Since they didn't assist the Jupiter on launch.
How do you know that? You can't even see the crew bridgeway, in the pilot special effects shots.

Y3a
03-31-2008, 04:51 PM
Um....LIS is STILL just a TV show. The part the J2 sat on ...OK Launch tower. The towers on the treads are still just light towers as can be seen by examining the photos of the towers today.

In the episode where Dr. Smith went back in time, their was a ramp. Show where the crane working THAT was during the Pilot or "Reluctant Stowaway"!

woof359
03-31-2008, 11:42 PM
Jim keys wood have the best scratched built example of this, with catwalk going over to the upper hatch, what ever you wanna call it, it wood be a nice addtion to the PL kit.

toyroy
04-01-2008, 11:19 AM
...Show where the crane working THAT was during the Pilot or "Reluctant Stowaway"!
Crane working what?!? On Lost in Space?

toyroy
04-01-2008, 11:23 AM
Jim keys wood have the best scratched built example of this, with catwalk going over to the upper hatch, what ever you wanna call it, it wood be a nice addtion to the PL kit.
Yup! :thumbsup:

X15-A2
04-01-2008, 12:23 PM
The mobile towers were supposed to be elevators. Not sure why they needed them since the launch stand had built-in stairs but the towers themselves were made from the model RR bridge towers built for "Von Ryan's Express". Just a little triva here.

toyroy
04-01-2008, 03:56 PM
The mobile towers were supposed to be elevators. Not sure why they needed them since the launch stand had built-in stairs...

You mean the stairs that lead to the circular platform beneath the fusion core? How does one board the ship from there?

http://photos.hobbytalk.com/data/509/jupitertwolaunchhb1.jpg

Ignatz
04-01-2008, 04:08 PM
climbing ropes?

I've always called the main structure a "launch cradle". It would make immenent sense that the light towers were elevators. Or, they are extremely beefy light towers!

woof359
04-01-2008, 11:42 PM
and what about them little stairs on the front of the towers, where the heck they suppose to go?

toyroy
04-02-2008, 02:26 AM
and what about them little stairs on the front of the towers, where the heck they suppose to go?
To the ground?

toyroy
04-02-2008, 02:40 AM
...Or, (the gantries) are extremely beefy light towers!
Moebius likes big models. Here's a prop that could be sold at IKEA as a floor lamp.

Ignatz
04-02-2008, 10:04 AM
Yeah, but then they'd have to be given made-up scandinavian sounding names, like Irllen or Allwin. "Hey, those Allwins would look nice next to the Schondik with the maple finish." Now who would want that?
:hat:

Mr. Wabac
04-02-2008, 12:42 PM
Ah the wacky world of Irwin Allen !

Given that the Jupiter II is endlessly taking off and landing on other worlds and does not need a checkout or refuelling, why on earth did they build a launch complex in the first place ?

Of course the real answers would be that they didn't think of that at the time, it adds "dramatic effect and scientific look" for a countdown, and most importantly, that details shouldn't get in the way of the show (notice I didn't say story ?)

Always good fun, if you don't take it seriously. And nothing beats the robot !

beatlepaul
04-02-2008, 01:00 PM
Ah the wacky world of Irwin Allen !

Given that the Jupiter II is endlessly taking off and landing on other worlds and does not need a checkout or refuelling, why on earth did they build a launch complex in the first place ?

Of course the real answers would be that they didn't think of that at the time, it adds "dramatic effect and scientific look" for a countdown, and most importantly, that details shouldn't get in the way of the show (notice I didn't say story ?)

Always good fun, if you don't take it seriously. And nothing beats the robot !


Because the "Launch sequence" Used in Lost In Space came from the original pilot episode.

The Ship was originally the Gemini 12 and did not have a Lower Level OR Landing gear.
It wasn't until the show was picked up as a series, that the Lower Level and landing gear was added. The pilot version of the ship WAS well thought out, and IMHO A better version. I believe the Pilot ship was supposed to hover over it's landing area, then gently land permantly.
Granted the show pushed the limits of Credibility, but when it initinally started it was good solid Sci-Fi.

Regards,
BP

woof359
04-02-2008, 08:29 PM
I wood love to get hold of some of irwins notes and see how the Gemini was suppose to be used after the pilot.I have seen the story board of the Giligan idea,with the holes in the hull, never liked that at all, i was so glad they got back into space at the end of season 1.

Y3a
04-02-2008, 08:44 PM
OK FOLKS.....


For yet another chuckle regarding the light towers. So IF one tower had an elevator, how would you open the doors to get to the Jupiter 2's upper hatch??? Notice the lattice work facing the Jupiter on all sides! All 3 towers seem to have lattice blocking any access.

toyroy
04-03-2008, 10:39 AM
I wood love to get hold of some of irwins notes and see how the Gemini was suppose to be used after the pilot.I have seen the story board of the Giligan idea,with the holes in the hull, never liked that at all, i was so glad they got back into space at the end of season 1.
In the first pilot, when making his first diary entry after the crash, John said he hoped the ship could be repaired, and fly again.

toyroy
04-03-2008, 11:03 AM
...The pilot version of the ship WAS well thought out, and IMHO A better version...Granted the show pushed the limits of Credibility, but when it initinally started it was good solid Sci-Fi.
I certainly liked the original pilot premise better. But I love the Jupiter 2's landing gear! And the robot, especially as played in the beginning. Not so much the must-destroy, and kill Will stuff; but rather the more realistic, less silly and sentimental behavior. Add those, leave out Smith and the lower deck, and you've got a winner. :)

toyroy
04-03-2008, 11:24 AM
...how would you open the (elevator) doors to get to the Jupiter 2's upper hatch??? Notice the lattice work facing the Jupiter on all sides!...
Remember the Star Trek scene where Gary Seven and his cat were riding an open platform elevator? That's how we lost Eugene Robinson. :cry:

toyroy
04-03-2008, 11:42 AM
and what about them little stairs on the front of the towers, where the heck they suppose to go?
And, what else was in the enclosed tower bases? A Tang machine? A Space Invaders game? A sports bar?

Y3a
04-03-2008, 07:21 PM
a Treadmill..............LOL

bert model maker
04-04-2008, 06:27 AM
a Treadmill..............LOL
A Bathroom

Moebius
04-08-2008, 12:10 AM
A Mold-A-Rama machine...

abacero
04-08-2008, 12:57 AM
A make-up service for the girls in the J-2...

Who knows...


Best regards,

Alberto


"There are always possibilities".- Spock

toyroy
04-08-2008, 12:18 PM
A Mold-A-Rama machine...
Man, that brings back memories! I have a very few of those waxy-plastic treasures. One is a pink pagoda-like piece from Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Someone should have one of those machines which molds LiS robots...:thumbsup:

Moebius
04-08-2008, 08:56 PM
Man, that brings back memories! I have a very few of those waxy-plastic treasures. One is a pink pagoda-like piece from Grauman's Chinese Theatre.

Someone should have one of those machines which molds LiS robots...:thumbsup:

That would be cool! I still have a dinosaur from the NY World's Fair. Fun stuff.

scotpens
04-08-2008, 10:36 PM
[IMG-LEFT]http://mcdermot3.home.mindspring.com/Moldarama/MoldaWerks.gif[/IMG-LEFT]


I used to have a Mercury capsule and the Three Wise Monkeys.

Now those machines have gone the way of record-your-own-voice booths. Yes, I remember those too!

toyroy
04-09-2008, 12:04 AM
I haven't been to the Sci-Fi museum in Seattle- they may already have some Mold-A-Ramas. Anyway, they should have, at least, a Robby the Robot.