Science fiction films have a long history of reuse with costumes, sets, sound design, and even the occasional video footage. It has been rumored that when Stanley Kubrick finished his 1968 film 2001: A Space Odyssey, he chose to destroy most of the blueprints, props, and models, as he did not want to have them appear again in future science fiction films like so many others before his.

Whether or not this rumor is true, a few rare props and costumes managed to escape destruction to either go up for auction or to be used in other films. This blue space suit is one of three created for the film. While its yellow and red counterparts were worn in the film, the blue suit was only used as a prop. The blue suit was seen again in 1994 in the television show Babylon 5, in the episode entitled Babylon Squared, where Michael O’Hare wore it as Jeffrey Sinclair. It has been altered in some minor ways but ultimately is easily identifiable as the same piece due to the helmet’s shape and the various patch placement.