The year 1951 was marked, in science fiction, by the following events.

• A. A. Attanasio
• Michael A. Banks
• Greg Bear (d. 2022)
• David Bischoff (d. 2018)
• Orson Scott Card
• Christopher Evans
• Esther Friesner
• Barbara Hambly
• Simon Hawke
• Christopher Hinz
• P. C. Hodgell
• Theodore Judson
• James Patrick Kelly
• David Marusek
• Lisanne Norman
• Melinda Snodgrass
• John Steakley (d. 2010)
• K. D. Wentworth (d. 2012)
• Timothy Zahn

• The Continent Makers by L. Sprague de Camp. It first appeared in book form in the collection The Continent Makers and Other Tales of the Viagens, published in hardcover by Twayne Publishers in 1953.
• Planets in Combat by Robert A. Heinlein, Blue Book (September–October), first publication of Between Planets, also published in hardcover in October.

• The Astronauts by Stanisław Lem (in Polish), explores the challenges and philosophical implications of space exploration.
• The Day of the Triffids by John Wyndham, depicts a post-apocalyptic world where humanity faces deadly plants and societal collapse.
• Foundation by Isaac Asimov, chronicles the rise and fall of a galactic empire through the fictional science of psychohistory.
• Prelude to Space by Arthur C. Clarke, focuses on humanity's first steps towards space exploration and colonization.
• The Puppet Masters by Robert A. Heinlein, humanity battles against alien parasites that can control human minds.
• Rogue Queen by L. Sprague de Camp, explores a human-alien romance and the clash of cultures on an alien world.
• The Sands of Mars by Arthur C. Clarke, envisions the challenges and discoveries of the first human colony on Mars.
• The Stars, Like Dust by Isaac Asimov, follows a young man caught in political intrigue and rebellion across star systems.
• Time and Again by Clifford D. Simak, explores time travel and its effects on humanity and the natural world.
• The Weapon Shops of Isher by A. E. van Vogt, portrays a future society where citizens have access to advanced weaponry to defend against tyranny.

• And Then There Were None by Eric Frank Russell, Astounding Science Fiction (June), anarchy in action—an Earth envoy encounters an alien society that rejects authority and government.

• "The Fireman" by Ray Bradbury, Galaxy Science Fiction (February), later expanded into Fahrenheit 451 (1953)
• "Sentinel of Eternity" by Arthur C. Clarke, 10 Story Fantasy (Spring), renamed "The Sentinel" in subsequent collections.

• The Green Hills of Earth by Robert A. Heinlein (collection)
• The Illustrated Man by Ray Bradbury (collection)

• Between Planets by Robert A. Heinlein (juvenile), follows a young man navigating between Earth and the colonies of Venus and Mars.

The main science-fiction awards known at the present time did not exist at this time.

• 1951 in science