Once Upon a Time in Space

Accompanying the 4-part documentary series from multi-award-winning filmmaker, James Bluemel. It''s been 63 years since Yuri Gagarin became the first human to ever go into space. Since then, only 676 people have followed him up there. But now with huge technological advances bridging the gap between our planet and all that lies beyond, that number is about to rise dramatically. Once Upon a Time in Space is the human story of how we''ve made it this far - the remarkable achievements, tragic losses, left-field experiments, renegade characters and ever-shifting powerplay - and where we''re about to go. Featuring stunning full-colour photography from both personal collections of astronauts and NASA''s archives, the human story of space is told through intimate and powerful testimony from the astronauts, scientists, engineers and space tourists who have lived it. Looking ahead as we take the first steps towards becoming an interplanetary species, Once Upon a Time in Space brings you closer to the incredible story of our next stage of evolution as the human species. Life on Earth will never be the same again.

About the author

James Bluemel is an Emmy and BAFTA award winning filmmaker. His landmark documentary series Exodus: the Journey to Europe and the follow up series, The Journey Continues were both broadcast on the BBC and PBS Frontline and charted the journeys of refugees as they fled their homes and tried to find asylum in Europe. Filmed over 4 years, it won the BAFTA for Director - Factual 2017.

Product details

• Authors: James Bluemel
• Publisher: BBC Books
• Languages: English
• Product format: Hardback
• Released: 16.10.2025
• EAN: 9781785949807
• ISBN: 978-1-78594-980-7
• No. of pages: 320
• Dimensions: 197 mm x 252 mm x 28 mm
• Subjects: Humanities, art, music > History > Contemporary history (1945 to 1989); Natural sciences, medicine, IT, technology > Technology > Aviation and space engineering; History of Science, Later 20th century c 1950 to c 1999, History of engineering and technology, History: specific events and topics, Popular astronomy & space, Popular astronomy and space, Aerospace & aviation technology, Early 21st century c 2000 to c 2050, The Cold War, SCIENCE / Space Science / Astronomy, Cold wars and proxy conflicts, Aerospace and aviation technology, HISTORY / Military / Aviation & Space, HISTORY / Modern / 20th Century / Cold War