Good memory Ramada. Yes, Space Cruiser was a Japanese tv series that ran from 1974 to 1976. The Starblazer movie was released 1977 and the repackage series started airing in 1979. There were two additional sequels TV movie in 1978 and 1983.
Here is a website that provides great background information about the Japanese version and the Americanized version (ship name was changed to Argo for US market).
http://www.desslok.com/main.htm
Name any show past or present and someone can come up with several movies and other shows with the same/similar story elements. Its how you tell the story, ie. being entertained by it, that's important.
nccdee