50 years of 'Star Trek' (pictures)

Filming begins on the first "Star Trek" pilot episode, "The Cage," on 27 November 1964. It was rejected by NBC and would not be seen for another 20 years -- luckily a second pilot led to a full series.

Mr. Spock smiles in this behind-the-scenes photo from the original series of "Star Trek," which began in 1966.

Capt. Kirk and crew took to the stars in animated form in 1973.

In 1987, a new crew and a new Enterprise set out on a new mission. "Star Trek: The Next Generation" ran until 1994.

In 1993, the "Star Trek" universe expanded to space station "Deep Space Nine."

Between 1995 and 2001 the crew of "Star Trek: Voyager" were lost in the Delta Quadrant.

In 2001 "Star Trek: Enterprise" took us back to the earliest days of Starfleet.

In 2009, a new generation of actors took on the familiar roles of the original series' crew for a big-screen reboot.

A model of the iconic USS Enterprise is shown to series creator Gene Roddenberry.

The captain of the Enterprise in the first -- rejected -- pilot episode was Christopher Pike, played by Jeffrey Hunter. Sadly, Hunter died in 1969.

A second pilot saw William Shatner take the conn as Capt. James T. Kirk -- and the rest is history.

Kirk was joined on the bridge by his trusty crew, including Spock, McCoy, Uhura and Scotty.

Kirk contemplates a Tribble in the famous episode "The Trouble With Tribbles," from the original series' second season.

In those racially charged days of the Cold War, "Star Trek" made a bold statement with its diverse crew, including Chekhov and Sulu.

Capt. Kirk had a distinctive approach to furthering intergalactic relations.

Here Shatner is seen with guest star Joan Collins in the classic episode "The City on the Edge of Forever."

In the classic episode "Mirror, Mirror" the crew met their evil counterparts.

On the show's 30th anniversary, the next generation of "Trek" paid homage to its roots with this time-traveling "DS9" episode.

The original series was followed by a colourful animated series. The abundance of pink is due to a colour-blind director.

Following the success of "Star Wars," "Star Trek" was revived in 1979 on the big screen with a new look.

Classic sequel "Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan" saw the movies hit their stride. Khaaaannn!

"The Wrath of Khan" saw one of the crew sacrifice himself to save the ship.

Until "Star Trek III: The Search for Spock", anyway.

The hilarious "Star Trek IV: The Voyage Home" saw the Enterprise crew journey to the present day.

"Star Trek: Generations" saw the mantle officially passed from Kirk to Picard.

"The Next Generation" ran for seven seasons and four big-screen adventures.

In one of the best TV cliff-hangers ever, "The Best of Both Worlds" saw beloved Capt. Picard transformed into an evil Borg.

"The Next Generation" crew film their final episode.

Before he was Bane, Tom Hardy played a clone of Captain Picard in "Star Trek: Nemesis."

A new Kirk for a new generation: in JJ Abrams reboot of the series, Chris Pine takes the captain's chair.

And Zachary Quinto steps into Mr. Spock's eyebrows.

The original USS Enterprise, designated NCC-1701.

The Enterprise was souped up for the big screen.

That'll mess up the no-claims bonus.

"The Next Generation" saw the launch of a new Galaxy class Enterprise, NCC-1701-D.

Later movies saw a sleeker NCC-1701-E.

In recent years, Mr. Sulu actor George Takei has enjoyed a new resurgence of popularity as an online hero...

...as has Wil Wheaton, pictured left, who played teenage genius Wesley Crusher.