Space marine

Space marines are fictional soldiers that operate in outer space. Space marines are common in science fiction-themed action movies and action games. The concept of mechanised Space Marines originated from Robert A. Heinlein's novel Starship Troopers (where they were called the Mobile Infantry) was popularised by the ceramite-armoured, bolter-wielding crusading Space Marines of Warhammer 40,000. Commonalities in the various descriptions of Space marines include futuristic weapons and use as infantry in attacks on a planet from an interplanetary ship.

"Space Marine" is currently a trademark owned by Games Workshop for their table-top game Warhammer 40,000.

Not so fictional, however, is the United States Marine Corps desire to expand its role to space. "Within minutes of bursting into the atmosphere beyond the speed of sound -- and dispatching that ominous sonic boom -- a small squad of Marines could be on the ground and ready to take care of business within 2 hours." "Hot Eagle"

Fictional works featuring space marines

• Starship Troopers (1959)
• The Dune universe (The Sardaukar) (1977)
• Traveller (1977)
• Star Wars (the Imperial Stormtroopers and Clone troopers) (1977)
• Aliens (the United States Colonial Marines) (1986)
• Warhammer 40,000 (the Space Marines) (1987)
• The Honor Harrington series (1993)
• Doom (the United States Marine Corps) (1994)
• Marathon (1994)
• Space: Above and Beyond (1995)
• StarCraft (1998)
• Halo (2001)
• Metroid (The Federation Troopers) (1986)