Long before flying-saucer sweets became a novelty aisle staple, there was another alien snack causing a stir in British corner shops: a crunchy, alien-shaped corn snack that cost just 10p for over two decades. This is the story of Space Raiders, one of the most instantly recognisable retro crisps in the UK.
Launched by KP Snacks in the Late 1980s
Space Raiders were launched by KP Snacks, the Slough-based snack company, in the late 1980s. They replaced an earlier range called Alien Spacers (itself a rebrand of an even earlier line called Outer Spacers), keeping the extraterrestrial theme but sharpening it into the alien-head shape that generations of British schoolkids would come to recognise instantly.
A Mascot and a Comic-Book Pedigree
The original packaging featured a female mascot known as Astra, and the artwork behind the early packets and accompanying mini-comics came from Brett Ewins, an illustrator known for his work on the British comic 2000AD. That comic-strip styling gave Space Raiders a distinct identity on the shelf, at a time when most crisp packets were still fairly plain.
Famous for Staying at 10p
Part of what made Space Raiders a playground favourite was the price: the packets stayed at 10p for more than twenty years, making them one of the cheapest, most accessible snacks available to pocket-money shoppers. That combination of low price, bold flavour and a genuinely different shape (rather than just another flat crisp) helped the brand build a loyal following that has lasted well beyond its 1980s launch.
The Flavours That Defined the Brand
Unlike many crisp brands that rotate flavours constantly, Space Raiders has kept a fairly consistent flavour line-up over the years, including:
- Beef – the classic, and often considered the original flavour.
- Pickled Onion – a sharper, tangier alternative.
- Saucy BBQ – a smokier, sauce-forward option.
- Spicy – the hottest of the regular range.
That consistency, rather than constant flavour experimentation, has helped Space Raiders become one of the more dependable names in the UK's retro snack aisle.
Still a Retro Favourite
Decades after the alien first appeared on shelves, Space Raiders remain a go-to pick for anyone building a retro sweets and snacks selection, sitting alongside other pocket-money classics from the same era.
FAQ Recap
- Who makes Space Raiders? KP Snacks, a Slough-based British snack company.
- When did Space Raiders launch? In the late 1980s, replacing the earlier Alien Spacers range.
- Why are they alien-shaped? The brand leaned into an extraterrestrial theme inherited from its predecessor ranges, Outer Spacers and Alien Spacers.
- Who illustrated the original packaging? Brett Ewins, an illustrator known for his work on the British comic 2000AD.
- How much did Space Raiders cost? They famously stayed priced at 10p for more than two decades.