Space Frontier

Space Frontier is a subgenre of science fiction that depicts themes of space travel, space exploration, space and/or planetary colonization. It also themes journey into the unknown.^[1][2][3][4] The genre is primarily rooted in novels, comics, television, film/cinema and more recently video games.

Space Frontier usually involves a particular species (normally humans) departing their native home planet into outer space to other regions of space for the purpose of exploration, transportation, colonization, adventure or all of those.

Another common depiction in Space Frontier is contact between humans (or whichever species is shown traveling) and another species that live in the uncharted region of space. Mutual co-operation or conflict between the two civilizations is also a common occurrence.^{[citation needed]}

Space Frontier can also have other concepts of contact between space explorers and primitive yet sometimes destructive lifeforms such as viruses, bacteria or creatures of an unknown type.^{[citation needed]}

History

Amongst the earliest recorded works of space frontier are the Voyages Extraordinaries or Extraordinary Voyages by the French writer Jules Verne towards the end of the 19th century.^[5]

Similarity and confusion with Space Western

Space Frontier is similar to Space Western in respect to space travel, intergalactic/multi-planetary adventure, however unlike Space Western, Space Frontier does not primarily include American West as a main theme.

Early examples

The 1960s epic TV series Lost in Space created and produced by Irwin Allen is a notable classic example of Space Frontier.

Arthur C. Clarke's 2001: A Space Odyssey is another prime example of classic Space Frontier.

References

External links

• Future West: Utopia and Apocalypse in Frontier Science Fiction (review)