Derelict Ship

Lore & Background

The transmission detected by the ship's computer, 'Mother', was determined by warrant officer Ripley to be a warning beacon rather than an SOS. The crew left their payload in orbit to land on the surface and investigate. Inside the derelict vessel, they discovered a giant, fossilized alien corpse with a hole in its torso, indicating a catastrophic event had occurred long before human arrival. A chamber within the ship contained hundreds of large eggs, which became the origin point for the creature that attacked Kane.

In Their Own Story

Dallas, Kane, and Lambert entered the derelict vessel to find the transmission source. While exploring, they discovered the fossilized corpse and the chamber of eggs. When Kane touched one of the large eggs, an arthropod-like lifeform sprang out, penetrated his helmet, and attached to his face. This event forced Ash to disobey Ripley's quarantine orders to bring Kane back aboard the Nostromo. The crew later determined that the alien creature was moving through their ship's air ducts, a direct consequence of the breach at the derelict ship. Dallas attempted to flush the creature out using an airlock but was ambushed and killed within those same ducts.

Reader's Guide

It is not described in terms of specific navigation systems or living biology beyond the presence of the eggs and the corpse. The only confirmed interior features are the chamber containing hundreds of large eggs and the area housing the fossilized pilot. Visitors should note that the ship's transmission was a warning beacon, yet company policy required investigation of any signal indicating intelligent life. The environment is noted for being designed by H.R. Giger, distinguishing it from other sets in the film.

Did You Know?

• The transmission found on the planet was determined by Ripley to be a warning beacon, not an SOS as initially thought.
• Inside the derelict ship, the crew discovered a giant, fossilized alien corpse with a hole in its torso.
• A chamber within the vessel contained hundreds of large eggs, one of which released the creature that attached to Kane's face.
• The environments and creatures of the film were designed by Swiss artist H.R. Giger.