Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion, also known as Raumpatrouille Orion, and Space Patrol Orion in English, was the first German science fiction television series. Its seven episodes were broadcast by ARD beginning September 17, 1966 six years before Star Trek first aired in West Germany. Being a huge success with several reruns audience ratings went up to 56%. Over the years, the series acquired a distinct cult status in Germany.
"Raumpatrouille – Die phantastischen Abenteuer des Raumschiffes Orion" (Space Patrol – The Fantastic Adventures of the Spaceship Orion) is a thrilling science fiction series following the crew of the Orion as they protect Earth from threats in outer space. This episode involves a dangerous mission to a remote space station, encounters with extraterrestrial beings ("Exoterristen"), and a race against time to save Earth from a rogue planet. You'll learn space-related vocabulary like "Raumschiff" (spaceship), "Planet" (planet), "Energie" (energy), and "Explosion" (explosion), as well as military terms like "Befehl" (command) and "General" (general). The dialogue is fast-paced and action-packed, providing a great opportunity to improve your listening comprehension. This episode explores themes of duty, courage, and the potential dangers of advanced technology. You'll experience a range of emotions, from suspense and fear to relief and humor, as the Orion crew faces seemingly insurmountable obstacles. The language used is a mix of formal and informal German, reflecting the military setting and the close relationships between the crew members. Pay attention to how they address each other formally ("Commander," "General") and informally ("Cliff," "Hasso"). This will give you valuable insight into German social dynamics. You'll also encounter technical jargon related to space travel, which can expand your vocabulary in a specialized field. Learning German with "Raumpatrouille" offers several advantages. It's a classic German TV show, giving you a taste of German culture and history. The exciting plot will keep you engaged, making the learning process more enjoyable. The clear pronunciation of the actors, despite the sometimes complex technical language, makes it relatively easy to follow along. Because the show is dialogue-heavy, you’ll get a lot of exposure to spoken German, improving your listening skills and pronunciation. You’ll also see how Germans use language to express a variety of emotions in high-pressure situations.
Here are the first 15 of the more difficult words in Space Patrol:
