- “As thanks for saving our friends... We'll send you into space to get that monster! Now! Let's go after them!”
- —Luma, Super Mario Galaxy 2
World 1: The Great Space Journey Begins is the first world featured in Super Mario Galaxy 2. It is a sky area filled with big white clouds. The Mushroom World (which can be seen from the map) is located in this world. It holds seven galaxies, the last of which, Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla, features the first encounter with Bowser Jr., who sends Gobblegut to attack Mario.
Galaxies
| Galaxy | Description | Star(s) | Unlocking criterion |
|---|---|---|---|
| File:SMG2 - W1-1.png Sky Station Galaxy |
This is the first level in the game, serving as the tutorial level. |   
|
Start the game. |
| File:SMG2 Map W1-2.png Yoshi Star Galaxy |
This is the galaxy where Yoshi is first found. |
|
Collect one Star. |
 Spin-Dig Galaxy |
This is a galaxy where most planets are composed of dirt. It also introduces the Drill Spin. |
|
Collect three Stars, including the first one from Yoshi Star Galaxy. |
 Fluffy Bluff Galaxy |
This galaxy introduces the Cloud Flower and The Chimp. |
|
Collect the first Star of Spin-Dig Galaxy. |
 Flip-Swap Galaxy |
A galaxy where performing a Spin Jump will make the red and blue Red-Blue Panels flip over and swap places. |
|
Get 3 Power Stars, including the first one from Yoshi Star Galaxy, then feed the Hungry Luma on the World 1 map 300 Star Bits. |
 Rightside Down Galaxy |
The galaxy features gravity changes, represented by arrows in the background, much like the later Upside Dizzy Galaxy. |
|
Collect the first Star from Spin-Dig Galaxy. |
| File:Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla.png Bowser Jr.'s Fiery Flotilla |
The main feature of this galaxy is the introduction of lava and other fiery hazards. Gobblegut is fought here. | 
|
Collect seven Stars, including one from Fluffy Bluff Galaxy. |
Gallery
World 1 as viewed from the Grand World Map.
The World 1 pathway
Music
The music that plays on the World 1 map is initially the same as the music for World 2. However, after Mario has collected at least 120 Power Stars, the music becomes a quiet, slowed-down rendition of the theme from the Good Egg Galaxy.
Names in other languages
| Language | Name | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| Japanese | World 1：宇宙への旅立ち World 1: Uchū e no tabidachi |
World 1: The Journey into Space |
| Italian | Mondo 1: Il Grande Viaggio nello Spazio |
World 1: The Great Journey into Space |
| Spanish | Mundo 1: La gran aventura cósmica comienza |
World 1: The great cosmic adventure begins |