Star Trek is one of the most enduringly popular franchises in science fiction, starting with the original series in the 1960s. It’s grown over the years with numerous TV shows, films, books, comics, and video games. Throughout the various Star Trek series, spaceships have always been a key part of the stories. Because the shows focus on space exploration, the ships aren’t just transportation – they almost feel like characters themselves. Interestingly, one of the most famous ship designs actually came about by chance.
Over the years, Star Trek has featured many memorable ships, but the USS Voyager’s redesign was particularly striking – and surprisingly, it happened by accident. Doug Drexler, a junior illustrator working on Voyager concepts, told TrekMovie that he was asked to quickly sketch some alternative designs before a presentation, specifically to give the executives something they disliked. However, one of his sketches ended up being favored, and he later learned that the executives wanted to build on that accidental design.
How The Voyager’s Design Paid Homage To The Past And Also Subtly Shaped Star Trek’s Future
Working with a tight deadline, designer Drexler looked to a spaceship model from the 1963 TV show My Favorite Martian – which he kept on his desk – to create a smoother, more streamlined design than those seen in earlier Star Trek appearances. This inspiration led to the bold, modern look of the Voyager. Though based on a different, less serious 1960s sci-fi program, and initially intended just to offer a visual difference from the ship’s original planned design, it ultimately had a significant impact on the overall aesthetic of Star Trek.
The Voyager’s design marked a significant departure from the iconic Enterprise, which had shaped the Star Trek franchise for two decades. This bold redesign of a central ship signaled the start of a new direction for the series. The Voyager’s look hinted at Star Trek’s ability to evolve and appeal to modern science fiction fans, rather than simply relying on familiar elements from the past. This willingness to change likely paved the way for the successful rebooted movie series, which reimagined the characters and stories from The Original Series – something that once would have been considered unthinkable.
The updated look of the Star Trek: Voyager ship wasn’t just a visual refresh – it unexpectedly became a hit with fans. Its modern, streamlined design was widely praised, and this popularity helped launch new Voyager stories in other formats like books and comics. Originally, designer Drexler was only asked to create some concept art that executives were likely to reject. However, inspired by a beloved science fiction series, his accidental design turned out to be a key moment for the entire Star Trek franchise.
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2025-11-03 16:11