Films on Space Travel – The Historiathek Space Film Database

The Historiathek – Space Film Database is a curated collection of historical documentary films produced during the formative decades of the Space Age — primarily the 1950s and 1960s — in both the United States and the Soviet Union. The collection captures the scientific, political, and cultural dimensions of the Space Race, from the launch of Sputnik 1and the early Soviet triumphs to the American Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs.

These films provide unique insights into the technological competition, propaganda, and public imagination that shaped one of the most dynamic eras of modern history. Many of the films were produced by governmental and news agencies and feature authentic footage of launches, spacecraft construction, astronaut training, and international reactions to the milestones of human spaceflight.

The database serves as a resource for professional filmmakers, educators, and researchers, offering rare archival footage that can be licensed for use in new documentary productions, exhibitions, educational programs, or online publications.

Licensing and Research Access

zb Media GmbH provides film footage and still photography from this collection for use in political education, scientific or art-historical research, and documentary reporting across print, film, television, and online media.

License material can be obtained for both editorial and commercial (advertising) purposes, subject to the clarification of any existing third-party rights, such as copyright, personality, or trademark rights.

All materials are available in digitized professional formats, and licensing inquiries can be tailored to the scope and duration of your project.