I first devised Illegal Astronauts as a concept in 2016. At the time, the universe was still called "Space-A-Gades" and Illegal Astronauts has retained that moniker for one of the factions within.

The initial plan was to make a video game that spans multiple solar systems. The player working their way through them to eventually find the route to Earth. Something that would become key plot inspiration for Cobalt in Illegal Astronauts, Book 1.

After a few attempts, it was clear that neither a game nor a video series for Illegal Astronauts was going to feasible at the time. However, a book was well within grasp.

Writing on the first draft of what would become Illegal Astronauts, Book 1 as it exists today began in earnest in 2020 while the whole world shut down. After working through seven drafts and a number of challenges you can hear about at the other exhibits in this hall, Illegal Astronauts, Book 1 finally released.

But, of course, the dream of a video game and video series has not been thrown away. Stay tuned!