Star Trek Prop Will ‘Live Long and Prosper’ With Help of Long Branch Couple

By Christopher Sheldon

Long Branch resident Adam Schneider and his wife Leslie have taken a piece of science fiction history and has seen it restored it to its original condition.

After eight months of restoration the couple held the unveiling of Galileo, a life size shuttle prop used in the original Star Trek's TV show, on Saturday in Atlantic Highlands. 

Schneider, a science fiction aficionado, said extensive research was performed to duplicate the ship as it first appeared in its premier episode, "The Galileo Seven,” in 1966

“Restoring Galileo was unlike any project I had performed, and I do projects for a living,” Schneider said. “It was built as a TV prop; not built to last almost 50 years.” 

Adam and Leslie bought the Galileo in an auction last June after not being able to find it years earlier. He said the prop was donated to a school after Star Trek ended was sold several times and has been “kicking around for 45 years.”

He said he has bought spaceship props from science fiction shows in the past, but nothing like the Galileo.

“Most of the props are little plastic models,” Schneider said. “The Galileo is 24 feet long and 14 feet wide. 

Schneider said he went to see the prop in Ohio shortly after acquiring it in the auction and said it was in bad shape. 

“It was left outside in bad condition by the previous owner,” Schneider said. “It needed massive restoration.”

Schneider had it brought to Master Shipwrights Inc. in Atlantic Highlands in October, “just in time for Sandy.”

He said Hurricane Sandy flooded the shop's repair bay and that the prop suffered even more damage.

The storm pushed the restoration process back another month until it was completed earlier this month.

Schneider said the fully restored shuttle looks “fabulous.”

“We believe this is a faithful restoration built to the highest standards,” Schneider said. “I’m extremely grateful to Hans Mikaitis and his crew for pouring their time, energy and skill into this project. Despite spending nearly 50 years mostly outdoors, Galileo is now ready for her next journey.”

It is the last time the shuttle will be seen in New Jersey, as Schneider is donating it to Space Center Houston. Schneider said it will be placed in the NASA Visitors Center and will be on display starting July 31.

“I’m totally proud,” Schneider said. “You can’t do better than donating a ship to NASA. It will tie the fictional vision of space travel to the real thing.”