Space: Above and Beyond

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Space: Above and Beyond

The title card from the series' opening sequence.
Starring	Morgan Weisser Kristen Cloke Rodney Rowland Lanei Chapman Joel de la Fuente James Morrison
Network	Fox
No. of episodes	24
External Links
Wikipedia	Link
IMDb	Link

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.

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.

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.	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."
USMC Duty Uniform	Costume	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	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 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.
Flight Suit	Costume	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	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.
In Vitro "Tank"	Prop / Set Piece	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 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	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 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." 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.

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