15 Sexiest Science Fiction Ships
Ok, so we aren’t talking about cars specifically in this post, though we previously covered 15 Classic Science Fiction Cars. But we like to notice all modes of transit here at Automopedia. What better way to move beyond the current financial crisis in America’s automotive industry then by checking out futuristic scifi space ships. Take a look at some of our favorite high flying, phaser shooting, light speed traveling vessels that ever graced the starry skies of celluloid.
USS Enterprise – Star Trek
One of the most well known vessels in the history of science fiction and pop culture, Star Trek’s USS Enterprise, has encountered hundreds of alien species, traveled back in time to save whales, defeated Klingons, Romulans, Chicago Mobsters and has been blown up 4 times (ST: III, The Ashes of Eden, Enterprise C & ST: Generations – did we miss one?) – only to be resurrected over again. Her captains have been heroic, strong willed, and good at bedding green women.
Millennium Falcon – Star Wars
The other most recognized ship in scifi lore, the Star Wars freighter turned fighter and home to Lando Calrissian & Han Solo, is responsible for destroying a Death Star or two, as well as saving a princess who wears bagels on the side of her head, and likes to make out with her brother. It also made the Kessel Run in 12-parsecs…and once we figure out what 12-parsecs equals, and where Kessel is, we’ll be very impressed.
Swordfish II – Cowboy Bebop
Spike Spiegel’s personal asteroid racer from Cowboy Bebop may not look pretty, but it sure can hustle when a bunch of ISSP intercept ships are on its tail. The Swordfish II is armed with four machine guns, multiple missile launchers, and a single plasma cannon. Spike is more than comfortable spending time dodging space debris, but really gets ticked off when kids, dogs or tough chicks try to climb in his cockpit.
Serenity – Firefly
Aside from Star Wars, science fiction’s other cargo ship and home to a crew of rag tags is Serenity, from Joss Whedon’s Firefly series (and also the film entitled Serenity). This ship has a lot in common with the Millennium Falcon, it is armed with loads of destructive weaponry, as well as many smuggler nooks and crannies in order to store treasures, or better yet hot alien telepathic chick who can save the universe.
The TARDIS – Doctor Who
Doctor Who’s trustworthy Police Box disguised ship, the TARDIS (Time And Relative Dimensions In Space) has taken BBC’s favorite (sorry, favourite) vagabond from the dawn of time to the end of the universe. The TARDIS is capable of folding time and space, which may explain why it’s dimensions are a bit skewed – it seems to be about the size of a phone booth on the outside, but inside The Doctor has his own private loft with guest quarters. It’s appearance is due to a faulty “chameleon circuit” – a device which is suppose to transform TARDIS to blend into whatever settling it lands at.
Discovery One – 2001: A Space Odyssey
When you nuclear powered scientific explorer is controlled by a confused, emotional, homicidal computer with artificial intelligences, it’s hard to get anything done. Arthur C. Clarke’s spaceship from 2001: A Space Odyssey and its crew were sent on a doomed mission to observe a mysterious black Monolith in orbit around Jupiter (Saturn in the original novel). After it’s computer system, HAL 9000, malfunctions and kills all onboard but crew leader Dave Bowman, the ship is sent adrift, only to be destroyed 9 years later along with Jupiter. All along Discovery floated through the silence of space in one of the greatest “hard” science fiction films ever made.
The Righteous Indignation – Captain Bucky O’Hare
“Bucky! Captain Bucky O’Hare! He goes where no ordinary rabbit will dare…” These are the words from the classic Saturday morning cartoon Capt. Bucky O’Hare & The Toad Wars. Bucky and his crew battled the evil Toad Empire in a Star Wars inspired animated series every week, with the help of his ship, the amazingly named (especially for a children cartoon) Righteous Indignation. This ship also makes an appearance in the Nintendo Entertainment System video game adaptation of Capt. Bucky O’Hare.
Galactica – Battlestar Galactica
In the war against the Cylons, Battleships of the Colonial Fleet are its best chance for human survival. In Battlestar Galactica, Commander Adama and his crew are off in search for New Caprica, a planet which will (hopefully) become their new home. Unfortunately, bioroids created by humans, Cylons, have decided they’re pretty tired of being used by flesh and bone beings – frankly, they’re mad as hell and are not gonna take it anymore. Galactica is about 50 years old, and was in the process of being decommissioned when Cylon attacks began. The ship now holds a crew of hundreds – including somewhere around 150 fighters (Vipers, Raptors, Blackbirds, Stealthstars).
The V Mothership – V the Series
When the aliens of V came to our planet (in the Mid 80’s apparently) all seemed peaceful. They looked like us, talked like us, and were generally nice creatures. That was of course until Marc Singer ripped one of their face masks off to reveal nasty, green reptile-ish people who plan to enslave/extinguish humanity. These ships look oddly similar to those from Independence Day – a movie with Will Smith that was great in 1994, but let’s face it, both the special effects from it and V do not hold up in 2009.
Red Dwarf
“It’s cold outside, there’s no kind of atmosphere…” are the first words fans of Red Dwarf hear at the beginning of each scifi sitcom episode, along with a panning shot of The Red Dwarf herself floating in space millions of light years from Earth. This huge craft – commanded by Arnold Rimmer or “Rimma’” – contains a galley, sleeping quarters, a garden, huge storage holds for mining purposes, a cryogenic sleeping room, karaoke bar, hologram suite, a secret prison on level 13 and is controlled by a lovely computer named Holly.
TCS Tiger’s Claw – Wing Commander
Throughout Wing Commander’s adaptation on TV, Film and Video Game (Yes, there was a WC cartoon, and it rocked!) the Bengel class carrier TCS (The Confederation Ship) Tiger’s Claw has been home to Maniac, Hotshot, Angel, Maverick and the rest of Confed’s fighter pilots. The ship (video game version pictured above, in feature film below) has gone through many face lifts and refits depending on what format you’re viewing in, but one thing remains – The Tiger’s Claw will always be there at the end of your mission.
Event Horizon
When an experimental ship disappears into a black hole and returns, a crew of scientists must board it in order to try and figure out what happened. The creepiness of Event Horizon isn’t only it’s 2001-style ship combined with a suspense horror movie, but adding Laurence Fishburne and Sam Neill in one feature film – scary!
Goa’uld Ha’Tak – Stargate
Ha’tak-Class Motherships are the primary capital starships of the Goa’uld on both film and television versions of Stargate – only a team comprised of Snake Plissken and MacGyver can bring them down! Ha’tak translates to “pyramid ship” since the top levels of this very craft are based on ancient Egyptian structures. Ha’taks are the primary vessels of a Goa’uld System Lord, often the flagship of a particular Lord
Nebuchadnezzar – The Matrix
The Nebuchadnezzar, Morpheus’ ship from The Matrix Trilogy, is comprised of a small crew without much hope – until Ted Theodore Logan from Bill & Ted’s Excellent Adventure comes along to save the world from evil machines overlords. This ship can travel at various speeds underground, floating on an electrical output that keeps it in mid air. It’s top weapon is an EMP electrical charge, which can knock out all electric devices for several meters around.
S. S. Heart of Gold – The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams’s The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy may be the greatest combination of British dry wit and science fiction to ever grace the printed word. At the heart of the story is the SS Heart of Gold, a state of the art vessel complete with Eddie – an onboard computer with a game show host attitude, and Marvin – a manic depressed robot. What’s so state of the heart…err…art about this ship? It’s Infinite Improbability Drive, which can transport the ship to any destination and appear as any number of random objects. This ride is so wild you may need one of Zaphod Beeblebrox’s Pan-Galactic Gargle Blaster drinks to survive.
The best part about the Infinite improbability drive is that not only does it open up a ton of room for humor but it’s more likely to actually work than most of the others.
Serenity has no mounted weaponry. It’s a cargo ship.
What about Liberator from Blakes 7? That was a damn sexy ship…
Sexy? Most of these are pretty ugly. The Heart of Gold from the movie? The The Righteous Indignation? *Sexy*?
The Enterprise is a good pick – most of them have been pretty neat, and I know better than to contest the Falcon, but even these universes have better candidates – Klingon Bird of Prey or Tie fighters?
Where’s the Sulaco, and what about the new Basestars from Galactica? You want a cartoon, how about the Planet Express ship? Babylon 5 is not to everyone’s tastes, but the Minbari, Vorlon and Shadow ships have a certain sleek appeal. It’d be hard to call the Narn cruisers ugly too.
Ugly ships are cool, but they are not usually ’sexy’. At least IMNSHO.
The Stargate ship is not an Ha’tak-Class Motherships is an Wraith Motherships for Stargate Atlantis. You need a another pic for that
That’s not a Goa’uld Ha’Tak that’s a USAF 304 battleship fighting a Wraith Hive ship.
The Ha’Tak ships were designed to land on the ancient pyramids and are smaller then the semi organic Wraith Hive ship shown.
“Goa’uld Ha’Tak” huh?
So why is there a picture of an Earth BC-304 and not the “Goa’uld Ha’Tak”?
Nor does Serenity carry hot alien chicks. Or any kind of aliens, for that matter.
Also no aliens in the Firefly ‘Verse…and the treasure, usually things like food and cows. But she is a beautiful ship.
That is no Ha’tak. It´s a picture of a 304 and a Hive Ship.
How is the Nebuchadnezzar a space ship? It flies around underground sewer tunnels. Not to mention that sexy is an odd definition for some of these ships. Its more a list of the first ten spaceships you can name off the top of your head I think? Still, it killed 5 minutes at work so thanks.
If you put the Ha’Tak on your list, then at least include a picture of one. The ships on the picture are an earth battle cruiser of the Deadalus-class (possibly the Deadalus or the Apollo) and a few hive ships of the Wraith.
Thankyou, Doc, I thought for a second I was the first to notice. Serenity has no weapons, AT ALL, much less “loads of destructive weaponry”. Also the picture for the Stargate SG-1 Ha’tak, that is a Wraith Hive Ship from Stargate Atlantis! Not even close! Not even the same show!
Galactica isn’t looking for New Caperica. The were looking for Earth. They happened upon New Caperica and stayed there for a while. Also, they don’t have the Stealth Ship anymore (Blackbird) and what is a Stealthstar? Also, the Enterprise didn’t go back in time to save whales. Kirk and crew took a hijacked Klingon Bird of Prey back in time for that.
Should have used a picture of the real Heart of Gold from the television series, not the thing from the crappy movie.
For the Stargate fans, we fixed the ship photo – sorry about that!
For the Serenity/Firefly fans – I was referring to Summer Glau’s character, should have read Hot telepathic chick.
And yes, It is a pic of the Heart of Gold from HGTTG film, which is in no way superior to the series or books – but I personally love the design of it.
Also, Doc2 – congrats, you are far superior in your nerdiness than I…not sure you should go bragging about it O:-)
I am slightly embarrassed that I forgot ST:IV took place on the Bird of Prey.
If you really meant sexy, the White Star from B5 would be on this list. Sleekest ship ever.
Totally forgot about B5 – maybe there will have to be a part II of this post.
Can’t believe I’m going to be this pedantic, but might as well.
Tardis actually stands for Time And Relative Dimension In Space, not Dimensions.
Pedantry over.
Am loving that The Righteous Indignation made it in there.
I’ve seen/heard it as Dimension and Dimensions…but that’s the problem with going back to the original Doctor all the way through today’s series, there are a few continuity errors.
How could you leave off LEXX?
That was an awesome ship.
trust me, i LOVED LEXX – think there needs to be a part two of this list honestly! Need to let you bastards rip me apart again
Hmmmm some serious mistakes in here, and as usual the Geekdom of mortal fans jump in to defend, define and critisize all. This is just this persons view- we all have our own views; please allow me to share mine (and since i am a lover of Sci-Fi, not just one type but all- this should be a bit fairer for all!
1. The USS Enterprise (Latest movie version)
2. Serenity- you really can’t deny that thing, especially with a Crazy Ivan!
3. Whitestar (Babylon 5)
4. Ferengi Maruda
5. Excalibure (Spin off from B5 and sister ship to Victory)
6. Romulan Bird of Prey (Next Gen Style)
7. Galactica (both versions were as good as each other but the new one with the moving landing docks- whoa)!!!
8. Imperial Shuttle (Star Wars- Return of the Jedi)
9. Hammerhead (Space Above and Beyond)
10. Liberator (Blake 7)
11. Kodiak (Command and Conquer- as seen in the mini clips)
12. A-Wing Fighter (Star Wars- Return of the Jedi)
13. NESA Protector (Galaxy Quest)
14. Zorg’s ship (Fifth Element)
15. Mars 1 (Red Planet)
These are my favourite that have actually been seen in movies- if you want cartoons/ anime and the likes well that would include another list of fifteen!
What about the leviathans Moya and Talyn from the Farscape series?
Dude!! The Asgard O’Neill class should be on here!!! Not the stupid Hatak!!
Ever thought of the star destroyers? Those are the best mutherf*ckers in the whole universe!
You forgot “Nostromo” from “Alien”. It was a classic.
If animation is not excluded, you might want to consider the Odyssey from ‘Ulysses 31′; to me, it remains one of the sexiest (non-organic) spaceships to grace television screens.
JUPITER 2 from LOST IN SPACE a sort of family flying suacer.JOSIE AND THE PUSSIECATS IN OUTER SPACE in a six person one cat spaceship THE VULTURE from SALVAGE 1 a spacecraft made from surplus parts.PHOENIX from BATTLE OF THE PLANETS a craft that could transform into a big flamming bird
The PHANTOM CRUISER and SPACE COUPE from SPACE GHOST when they had the cartoon SPACE STARS they redsined both or the giant suacer driven by MARVIN THE MARTIAN
CONDOR 1 from THE GALAXY TRIO
The classic RUMILAN BIRD OF PREY with the eagle painted on the underside SUPER STAR DESROYER USS HURON from the animated STAR TREK and the shuttle craft COPERNICUs. USS STARGAZER it was PICARDS very first starship he ever commanded the USS PHOENIX which was attacking the CARDASIANS and in the classic STAR TREK the USS ENTERPRISE was a constitution class star ship and there was also the USS CONTELATION,USS EXETER,USS DEFIANT,USS LEXINGTON,USS POTEMKIN,USS HOOD,USS EXCALABER, and the USS INTREPID manned entirly by VULCANS and USS YORKTOWN
The STARFIGHTERS from BUCK ROGERS IN THE 25TH CENTURY
There are many Star Trek Ships better looking than the class B Enterprise. Also, you forgot the Andromeda Ascendant!!!
In the animated version of STAR TREK they come out with several different shuttle craft as well as the GALILEO they also had the COPERNICUS and a AQUA-SHUTTLE that could submurge like a submarine
may be late to this, but original poster has no clue about sci fi.
I happen to know way too much about scifi sir. tho I am sure, like most of the commentators here, you probably feel one or two small errors and suddenly i am the least knowledgeable scifi fan ever. i’d challenge you to a trivia contest any day of the week!
Feb 23rd, 2009 at 2:22 pm
[...] original here: 15 Sexiest Science Fiction Ships « Star Wars for the [...]
Feb 24th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
[...] bookmarks tagged chameleonTop quality karaoke at wholesale prices 15 Sexiest Science Fiction Ships saved by 7 others vault0seven bookmarked on 02/24/09 | [...]
Mar 3rd, 2009 at 12:33 pm
[...] ++++ Absurdo: 15 sexiest science fiction ships [...]
Mar 8th, 2009 at 4:39 am
[...] 15 Sexiest Science Fiction Ships | Automopedia.orgTake a look at some of our favorite high flying, phaser shooting, light speed traveling vessels that ever graced the starry skies of celluloid. [...]
Mar 19th, 2009 at 2:58 pm
[...] Happy Family Games put an intriguing blog post on 15 Sexiest Science Fiction ShipsHere’s a quick excerptUSS Enterprise – Star Trek. One of the most well known vessels in the history of science fiction and pop culture, Star Trek’s USS… [...]
Apr 20th, 2009 at 7:50 pm
[...] already told you our thoughts on the sexiest science fiction ships out there, though we never actually considered owning one until now. According to h+ Magazine: [...]
Sep 21st, 2009 at 4:39 pm
[...] chatting about alternate transit stories. Not sure why I’m doing this post, although previous Sexiest Sci Fi Ships and Classic Science Fiction Cars articles received a lot of traffic, I get nothing but crap from [...]
Jan 5th, 2010 at 4:56 pm
[...] numbers. Whether or not you’re into science fiction films we’ll all agree some of the Sexy Scifi Ships are worth discussing – and boy did you readers put on those geek hats and rip us a new one. [...]