Space Marines - Definition and Overview

Space marines are fictional soldiers that operate in outer space. They are usually specifically trained for infantry attacks on a planet from an interplanetary ship (thus parallelling true Marines, who are trained to attack land from a water-bound vessel). Space marines are common in science fiction, especially in science fiction-themed action movies and action games. Space marines were popularized by Robert A. Heinlein's novel Starship Troopers (where they were called the Mobile Infantry).

Space Marine is currently a trademark owned by Games Workshop.

Space marines typically wear powered armor and are equipped with highly futuristic weapons such as ray guns and plasma rifles (see science fiction weapons).

Space marines have been featured in the following films, games, novels, and television shows:

• Aliens (The USCM)
• Doom
• Halo
• StarCraft
• Starship Troopers
• Star Trek: Enterprise
• Star Wars
• Traveller
• Warhammer 40,000 (see Space Marines (Warhammer 40,000))