the Swamps of Jupiter

plot
When Space Patrol loses contact with a group of scientists on Jupiter, Raeburn sends Dart and his crew to investigate.  Arriving there, Dart tries to make contact with Scientific Headquarters. The reply is from a Jovian whose language Dart can’t understand.  Having landed the Galasphere on the planet, Dart and Husky see two Martians killing loomis, swamp-dwelling creatures native to Jupiter.  Entering Scientific Headquarters, they meet the Jovian who tried to communicate with Dart earlier.  He tells them that the Martians have killed all the scientists and are collecting the loomi skins.  All the other Jovians are hiding.  When the Martians return, they tell Dart and Husky that the skins, once heated, stay warm for years, and are therefore extremely valuable.  Unnoticed by Dart and Husky, one of the Martians reaches for his vibra gun, but the Jovian notices this and warns them.  The weapon is knocked from the Martian’s hand and they attempt to fight Dart and Husky.  However, they are overpowered by the Space Patrolmen and are forced to surrender.

notes
This is the official pilot episode for the series, but was not the first episode aired.  The opening narration is different (see Audio Downloads), and this episode features Galasphere 024 rather than 347.
Dart gives the Jovian that he and Husky meet the nickname “Joe”.
Although Dart says in this episode that the loomis are the only animal life on Jupiter, the Shrinking Spaceman features a Jovian snake and Joe at one point refers to Jovian insects in that episode.

credits
a National Interest Picture production
produced by Roberta Leigh and Arthur Provis
directed by Frank Goulding
created & written by Roberta Leigh
voices by Libby Morris, Dick Vosburgh, Ronnie Stevens, Murray Cash
puppetry by Martin & Heather Granger, Joan Garrick
electronics by F.C. Judd
space consultant: Colin Ronan
script assistant: Denise Kaye
cameraman: Arthur Provis
editor: John Beaton
art director: Roland Whiteside
models: Derek Freeborn
special effects & animation: Bill Palmer, Brian Stevens, Bert Walker