Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion (The German Century)

Raumpatrouille: Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion is a German science fiction television series that debut in the year 1966. It follows the interstellar adventures of Commander Cliff Allister McLane of the United Earth Ship Orion. Several novelizations of episodes where printed during the original series run (1966-68). It developed quite the cult following with fans of the series being known as Orioners. The show was different then anything previously seen by a German audiance by deviating from the normal custom of a 'rocketship' with Earthmen in Saucers and a near utopian world though one with apparent yet not overt flaws. It was notable for having an American character as it's protagonist in an industry where it was uncommon to have none German heroes- all in respect to it's setting of a United Earth. Other none German crew members include the gunner Mario and Norwegian Engineer Hasso. Spin offs included new crews though all on saucers named Orion (though more advanced itterations then the original) who carry on the Spacepatrol's mission of securing the stars and protecting the people of Earth from extraterrestrial threats. The Frogs have remained recurring antagonists being extragalactic beings of a phantasmic nature representing that threat which is unknowable but ever present.

In regards to the Original Series the first season aired 14 episodes 14 days apart from each other from September 17 to December 31, 1966, the 2nd season aired 13, and the third season aired 12. The fandom survived largely on material printed in 'Terra' a Science Fiction series published in Munich by the same publisher who had handled novelization of the shows episodes.

1978 saw 'Raumpatrouille: Der Film' released with introduced a new threat of which the new Orion X-D and her crew reunited must overcome; one modeled after the looming threat of automation alluded to the original series- this time embodied by an autonomous war machine that devours worlds. The Orion X-D is packed with old nuclear warheads sealed long ago by the United Earth Government. The climax of the film involves Cliff fully intending to sacrifice himself and the Orion X-D to save the Earth only for a new, revealed to be an Android crew member, to knock him out and send him on the lander towards safety while the machine it's self takes on the suicide mission. The film ends with a deep question as cliff contemplates what makes personhood and if the machine acted through programing or had truly learned the value of loyalty.