Once Upon a Time in Space

James Bluemel

$65

Hardback

Forthcoming
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English

BBC Books
16 October 2025

History: specific events & topics; History of science; History of engineering & technology; Aerospace & aviation technology; Popular astronomy & space

Accompanying a new documentary series from the multi award-winning director James Bluemel, a lavishly illustrated oral history of 50 years of space exploration, from the astronauts, scientists, engineers, astro-theorists, space tourists and entrepreneurs who lived it.

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 testimonies 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. Life on Earth will never be the same again.

By: James Bluemel
Imprint: BBC Books
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 252mm, Width: 192mm, Spine: 30mm
Weight: 1.200kg
ISBN: 9781785949807
ISBN 10: 1785949802
Pages: 320
Publication Date: 16 October 2025
Audience: General/trade , Professional and scholarly , General/trade , ELT Advanced , Undergraduate
Format: Hardback
Publisher's Status: Forthcoming

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.