Mattel #6308 Space Station

#6308 Space Station Box Front

Certainly one of the most spectacular and imaginative "play-houses" ever produced, the Space Station was Mattel's Man in Space moon habitat.

MMM Space Station

Packaging:

The box is made of corrugated cardboard printed on all sides (in black, white and blue ink), except two sides which have an applied a full-color, process-printed label (top and front). The box measures 16 Ľ" by 14 Ľ" by 5 ˝". Copyright is 1966. The box reads: "With Space Control Center - The Astronaut's Headquarters in Space - Complete Defense Center - Convertible Dome! Swing-Down Solar Panels! - High Observation-Launch Platform - Flashing Space-Radar Beacon" and "Battery Operated - One "D" Battery Not Included"

#6308 Space Station Box Bottom

#6308 Space Station Box Back

#6308 Space Station Box Ends

#6308 Space Station Box Contents 1

#6308 Space Station Box Contents 2

#6308 Space Station Box Contents 3

#6308 Space Station Box Contents 4

Sticker Sheet:

Instructions:

Mattel #6308-0922 Space Station Front and Back
Mattel #6308-0922 Space Station Inside Pages

Mattel Catalog Specifications:

(First appearance: Mattel Toys 1967 "Toy Fair" Catalog Page 94 **note that the Station originally had a "Handsome wall poster" as an accessory, abandoned in actual production).

NEW! SPACE STATION #6308

Control center with Space Radar Beacon
Build Separate stations
Set up in many ways
Convertible dome with Solar Panels

The spectacular SPACE STATION, center of activity in all outposts of the Universe, is operational astronaut headquarters!

With rugged plastic Space Girders linking space platforms horizontally or vertically, the astronauts use this multi-purpose control center as comfortable living area, observation platform and storage unit. A unique grid design keeps the spacemen and equipment firmly in place when moving about the star-bound residence.

Automatic-flashing Space Radar Beacon (one "D" battery not included) and six solar panels to protect the complex included. Two platforms, six girders, three-piece chair plus control console with panel, upper platform, supporting uprights, vinyl sheet and space labels. Handsome wall poster and catalog too!
Std. Pack: 6/12 Doz.
Wt: 27 Lbs.
Package size: 16 Ľ" x 14 Ľ" x 5 ˝".
Major MATT MASON and accessories not included.

Variations:

• Some station tops have the hole for the shelf uprights drilled through, while others are solid.
• Some shields and upright girders have variations in color 
• Mattel Canada: Bilingual Package
  
• CIPSA (Mexico): Estación Espacial
• Jouets Rationnale (French): Station Spatiale
• Mattel GmbH (German): Weltraum-Station

John's Notes:

I still vividly remember the first Major Matt Mason commercial that I saw in black-and-white. It prominently showed the eerie Space Station and I immediately wanted one. Of course I had to wait until I was an adult to actually own one, but did get to experience the Station at a neighbor's house as a kid.

I have several prototype Space Stations in my possession and it is interesting that the platforms were originally designed as six separate panels that would snap together. I believe the original intent was to build the station as a kit, similar to an erector set. I think that the idea was abandoned as the Station would be too unstable assembled in this fashion. More pics coming soon in my Real Prototypes section. Also, you'll note that the box images are quite different from the actual production model. At some point, Mattel chose to brighten up the toy-line by changing the typical silver/gray color to bright orange. There are also several detailing changes (like the legs of the command center) that were changed. I'll have images of these with comparison's to the production model's corresponding parts in my Prototype update.

Some other interesting box tidbits: The pictured Satellite Launcher has a red satellite (not used in production). Some astronauts are wearing belts with holstered guns; there's a "D"-cell flashlight in the command center's shelf. The Space Shields have been replaced by clear panels for the photography. Probably so that the lines of the molded panels would not obscure the details of the interior. Also, these shields are only present on the back panels...front panels are drawn-in lines, evidenced by the lack of reflection.

Accessory may also be found in:

• 6310 Space Station Space Crawler Deluxe Action Set
• 6353 Lunar Base Command Set

All Mattel images and captions are copyright Mattel and used without permission. All other content, including images and editorial, is Copyright © 1997-2024 John Eaton and/or contributors unless otherwise stated. If there are any comments or objections, please contact John Eaton.