Updated: April 12, 2024

Original Jupiter-2 electronic flight control station from Lost in Space. ( CBS-TV, 1965-68 ) In 1965, Irwin Allen gave the American television audience his greatest and most cherished creation, Lost in Space. Colorful sets, creative scripts, and cliffhanger endings set Lost in Space apart from other prime time fare. Of course, there cannot be a great science fiction show with out great special effects - or a great spaceship, which Irwin Allen gave us with the Jupiter-2.

Presented here is one of the most spectacular Lost in Space props surviving today, the complete Electronic Flight Control Station from the interior set of the Jupiter-2. It is comprised of six modules:

Three flashing light modules which were mounted on the top of the Control Station. Constructed of metal housings with extensive internal wiring, the modules are in full working order and are still connected to the original internal transformers and timing switches. When plugged in and switched on, the panels illuminate and flash just as they did on the series. These each measure 34 in. x 15 in. x 9 in.

Two rotating "radar sweep" modules, each of which are backlit with two incandescent light bulbs and are designed to rotate with an electric motor, fixed to the back side. These each measure 19 in. x 18 in. x 12 in. These are also in good working condition, but are in need of minor re-alignment to work smoothly.

Large central "star map" module with rotating disc. The central spinning "map" measures 17 in. diameter. It is currently missing the belt which attaches to the motor and drives the disc, but is easily replaced. The unit measures 31 in. x 25 in. x 18 in. overall. Also included is a small box of miscellaneous electrical switch panels, which accompany the modules.

Some of the modules of the Flight Control Station originally began their lives as control panels used by the Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California as well as Vandenberg Air Force Base for the minuteman missile systems. Called the Electodata 220c, they were manufactured by Electodata Corporation ( later called Burroughs Corporation ) in Pasadena in 1954. When they were retired from active service in 1960 or so, Twentieth Century-Fox bought these and a number of other surplus computer equipment which would later grace the Lost in Space soundstage as well as other Fox productions, including the Batman series ( starring Adam West and Burt Ward ) as part of the Batcomputer.

This Flight Control Station can be seen in nearly every episode of the classic Irwin Allen television series, and played a key part in the original storyline, from the pilot through the final episode. An exceptional, highly visible set of props, the Flight Control Station is a wonderful part of television history from the 1960's, and was an inspiration to countless youngsters who went on to pursue careers in aerospace technology! As an entire set piece, the Jupiter-2 Flight Control Station is, without question, the largest and most significant piece to have survived - intact! - from a sci-fi television production of this time period.

Value: $70,000.

Update: Here's some more pictures of the flight station that's up for auction on Dec. 16. The owner said I could send these pictures to you if you want to use them on your site. Some show the panels from behind which show how the radar screens were just lit by ordinary light bulbs. After fourty years the consoles still light up and flash. Not seen at the Profiles in History auction site is a picture of the center console still mounted in it's original wood base. Although the 3 Burroughs consoles were actual computer equipment at one time, all the other panels including the radars were constructed just for Lost in Space. The two side radar panels were made of metal and the center panel was made of plywood. Most of the radar knobs either said audio or lights on the front but were all painted over with gray. The Burroughs consoles originally had neon lights, but they were replaced for the show by incandescent bulbs so they would show up brighter under studio lights.

Many thanks to, Bill Hedges for the additional photos and info!