Editing Space: Above and Beyond

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{{TV Series Infobox
| image              =Space Above and Beyond.png 
| image_size         = 250px
| caption            = The title card from the series' opening sequence.
| series_name        = Space: Above and Beyond
| genre              = Science fiction<br>Military<br>War drama
| creators           = Glen Morgan<br>James Wong
| starring           = Morgan Weisser<br>Kristen Cloke<br>Rodney Rowland<br>Lanei Chapman<br>Joel de la Fuente<br>James Morrison
| music              = Shirley Walker
| country            = United States
| language           = English
| network            = Fox
| start_date         = {{Start date|1995|09|24}}
| end_date           = {{End date|1996|06|02}}
| num_episodes       = 24
| wikipedia_link     = https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond
| imdb_link          = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0112173/
}}

'''Space: Above and Beyond''' is a 1995 American science fiction television series that aired on the Fox network. Created by Glen Morgan and James Wong, the series is a gritty military drama set in the years 2063–2064, depicting a war between humanity and an enigmatic alien species known as the "Chigs." The show is notable for its focus on the lives of a squadron of rookie United States Marine Corps space aviators, the "Wildcards," and for its grounded, "used future" aesthetic that prioritized realistic military artifacts and the psychological toll of war.

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==Series Plot Summary==
In 2063, humanity's first extrasolar colony attempt on the planet Vesta is brutally attacked and destroyed by an unknown alien race, later nicknamed the "Chigs." This unprovoked act of aggression plunges Earth into an interstellar war. The series follows the members of the 58th Squadron of the USMC Space Aviator Cavalry, nicknamed the "Wildcards." Thrown into the crucible of war, the young, inexperienced pilots—Nathan West, Shane Vansen, Cooper Hawkes, Vanessa Damphousse, Paul Wang, and their commanding officer T.C. McQueen—must learn to fight and survive in the hostile vacuum of space. The narrative explores themes of loss, prejudice (against the genetically engineered "In Vitro" humans), camaraderie, and the moral ambiguities of war. The single-season arc follows the Wildcards through key battles, from their first disastrous encounters to major strategic campaigns, culminating in a final, desperate battle that leaves the fate of the war, and the surviving characters, unresolved.

==Key Artifacts==
The artifacts of *Space: Above and Beyond* were designed to reflect a near-future, functional military. The aesthetic, heavily influenced by World War II and the Vietnam War, favored practicality over sleek futurism, resulting in some of the most memorable and realistic sci-fi hardware of the 1990s.

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%;"
|+
! Artifact Name
! Type
! In-Narrative Use & Significance
! Design & Construction Notes
|-
| [[SA-43 Hammerhead]]
| Starfighter
| The primary space superiority fighter of the USMC. It is a versatile, atmospheric-capable craft used for both offensive strikes and defensive patrols. Its design, requiring a pilot to sit in a prone, forward-facing position, is physically demanding and symbolizes the brutal, visceral nature of space combat in the series.<ref name="SAAB_Unofficial_Ships">[http://saab.weebly.com/united-states-marine-corps.html "United States Marine Corps - Space: Above and Beyond Unofficial"]. saab.weebly.com. Accessed September 14, 2025.</ref> | Designed by Tim Earls, the Hammerhead's shape was intended to be aggressive and unconventional. Full-scale mockups of the cockpit and fuselage sections were built for filming, while detailed miniatures were used for space combat sequences. Its designation "SA" stands for "Space-Atmosphere."<ref name="SAAB_Unofficial_Ships"/>
|-
| [[USMC Duty Uniform]]
| Costume
| The standard service uniform for Marines, consisting of a dark green, high-collared tunic and trousers. It is a constant visual reminder of the characters' military identity and the rigid structure they exist within. | The uniforms were designed to be a futuristic evolution of the real-world U.S. Marine Corps dress uniform, maintaining a traditional and recognizable military silhouette. The high collar and tailored fit were meant to convey professionalism and discipline.
|-
| [[Chig Fighter]]
| Starfighter
| The primary single-pilot attack craft of the Chig forces. Its distinctive, asymmetrical, and almost organic appearance makes it visually alien and menacing. Encounters with these fighters are notoriously deadly for human pilots. | Designed to contrast sharply with the angular, functional human ships, the Chig fighter is insect-like and unsettling. The miniatures were created with a high level of detail to appear truly alien and non-human in origin.
|-
| [[M590 Assault Rifle]]
| Prop Weapon
| The standard-issue pulse energy rifle for the Marine Corps. It is a versatile, bullpup-style weapon used in ground combat and ship-boarding actions. | The prop was a custom shell built around a real-world firearm chassis (a Calico M960). This "hero" version allowed for realistic handling and firing of blanks, while lighter stunt versions were used for action sequences.<ref name="imfdb_saab">[http://www.imfdb.org/wiki/Space:_Above_and_Beyond "Space:_Above_and_Beyond - Internet Movie Firearms Database"]. Internet Movie Firearms Database. Accessed September 14, 2025.</ref>
|-
| [[Flight Suit]]
| Costume
| The green, one-piece flight suit worn by the Wildcards during combat missions. It is covered in mission patches, connecting the squadron to the tradition of military aviators. | Practical and functional, the flight suits were designed to look like a logical evolution of modern-day pilot gear, complete with integrated harnesses and life-support connectors.
|-
| [[SCS ''Saratoga'']]
| Capital Ship
| An ''John F. Kennedy''-class Space Carrier Vessel, the ''Saratoga'' serves as the mobile base of operations for the Wildcards and their Hammerheads. The ship itself becomes a character, representing their only home in the vastness of space. | The ''Saratoga'' was realized almost entirely through a large, highly-detailed filming miniature. Its design evokes a futuristic aircraft carrier, complete with a flight deck and "island" superstructure, reinforcing the WWII naval warfare aesthetic.<ref name="SAAB_Unofficial_Ships"/>
|-
| [[In Vitro "Tank"]]
| Prop / Set Piece
| A cylindrical, fluid-filled container used for the gestation of artificially-created humans known as In Vitros or "Tanks." It is a powerful symbol of the social prejudice and bio-engineered caste system of this future. Cooper Hawkes' origin from one of these tanks is central to his character arc. | The prop was designed to be sterile and dehumanizing, treating a human life as a manufactured product. Its appearance in flashbacks is crucial for understanding the societal context of the series.
|-
| [[Chig Armor]]
| Costume
| The bulky, environmentally-sealed armor worn by Chig ground soldiers. Its true purpose is to hide their actual appearance, which is a closely guarded secret for most of the series. | The armor was designed to be intimidating and completely obscure the form of the actor inside, adding to the mystery and fear surrounding the enemy.
|-
| [[Silicate]]
| Alien Race / Prop
| A silicon-based, crystalline alien species encountered by the Wildcards. Though initially appearing hostile, they are later revealed to be an ancient, sentient race with a complex history tied to the Chigs. Their crystalline "bodies" were unique props. | The Silicates were created using a combination of practical prop building (for static crystals) and early CGI for sequences showing them moving or communicating.
|-
| [[Tellus Colony Artifacts]]
| Set Dressing / Props
| The remnants of the human colony on Tellus, including personal effects, damaged structures, and children's toys found by the Marines. These items serve as a poignant and grim reminder of the civilian cost of the war. | The production design for the destroyed colonies was meant to be deeply affecting, contrasting everyday domestic items with the devastation of war.
|}

==Production Notes==
*''Space: Above and Beyond'' was conceived by Morgan and Wong as "the Vietnam War in space."<ref name="variety_review">[https://variety.com/1995/tv/reviews/space-above-and-beyond-1200443181/ "Space: Above and Beyond Review"]. Variety. September 22, 1995.</ref> This philosophy guided every aspect of its production, from the writing to the design. The technology was deliberately kept grounded and recognizable, with a "used future" look similar to the original ''Star Wars'' trilogy. The show's special effects were a blend of traditional miniature work and nascent computer-generated imagery, a common practice for the mid-1990s. The space battles, primarily achieved with models, were widely praised for their quality and dynamic choreography. The series' main title theme, composed by Shirley Walker, is considered one of the most iconic television scores of the era, evoking a sense of military grandeur and tragedy.

==Cultural Impact, Themes, and Legacy==
Despite critical acclaim for its mature storytelling, complex characters, and impressive production values, ''Space: Above and Beyond'' struggled in the ratings. It was scheduled against the hugely popular NBC series ''Friends'' and was ultimately canceled after a single season, ending on a significant cliffhanger.<ref name="cancel_reason">[https://www.denofgeek.com/tv/space-above-and-beyond-looking-back-at-a-cult-classic/ "Space: Above and Beyond: Looking Back at a Cult Classic"]. Den of Geek. June 2, 2016.</ref>

The series is remembered for its serious and nuanced take on the sci-fi military genre. It tackled mature themes such as racism (through the plight of the In Vitros), the loss of innocence, PTSD, and the dehumanizing nature of warfare. This thematic depth set it apart from many of its contemporaries and has earned it a dedicated cult following in the years since its cancellation. Fans have long campaigned for a revival or continuation of the story, and the show is often cited as a major influence on later, more successful military sci-fi series like the reimagined ''Battlestar Galactica''.

==See Also==
* [[SA-43 Hammerhead]]
* [[Glen Morgan]]
* [[James Wong]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Television Series]]
[[Category:American Television Series]]
[[Category:Military Science Fiction]]
[[Category:Fox Network Shows]]
[[Category:Television Series from the 1990s]]