| Ministry of Space | |
|---|---|
 Cover of Ministry of Space vol. 1, March 2005, trade paperback collected edition, art by Chris Weston | |
| Publication information | |
| Publisher | Image Comics |
| Schedule | Irregular |
| Format | Limited series |
| Genre | |
| Publication date | April 2001 – April 2004 |
| No. of issues | 3 |
| Creative team | |
| Created by | Warren Ellis Chris Weston |
| Written by | Warren Ellis |
| Artist(s) | Chris Weston |
| Letterer(s) | Mike Heisler |
| Colorist(s) | Laura Martin |
| Collected editions | |
| Hardcover | ISBN 1-58240-424-0 |
Ministry of Space is a three-part alternate history mini-series written by Warren Ellis, published by American company Image Comics in 2001-2004. The book's art is by Chris Weston, and depicts retro technology in "British" style.
The story is set in an alternate history where soldiers and operatives of the United Kingdom reached the German rocket installations at Peenemünde ahead of the Americans and the Soviets, and brought all the key personnel and technology to Britain, in a mirror of the real world's Operation Paperclip and Operation Osoaviakhim. This led to the establishment of the Ministry of Space, whose mission is to develop British space technology and establish a firm foothold in space for Queen and Empire.
Elements of social commentary are present throughout the book, as is typical of Ellis' work, while the drama of the story is found in the lives of the first pioneers of space exploration (as in The Right Stuff). This social commentary is disguised in snippets of dialogue and background details in the art elsewhere, relying upon the readers' own observations to bring it to light.