  We review VLBI observations of supernovae over the last quarter century and
discuss the prospect of imaging future supernovae with space VLBI in the
context of VSOP-2. From thousands of discovered supernovae, most of them at
cosmological distances, ~50 have been detected at radio wavelengths, most of
them in relatively nearby galaxies. All of the radio supernovae are Type II or
Ib/c, which originate from the explosion of massive progenitor stars. Of these,
12 were observed with VLBI and four of them, SN 1979C, SN 1986J, SN 1993J, and
SN 1987A, could be imaged in detail, the former three with VLBI. In addition,
supernovae or young supernova remnants were discovered at radio wavelengths in
highly dust-obscured galaxies, such as M82, Arp 299, and Arp 220, and some of
them could also be imaged in detail. Four of the supernovae so far observed
were sufficiently bright to be detectable with VSOP-2. With VSOP-2 the
expansion of supernovae can be monitored and investiated with unsurpassed
angular resolution, starting as early as the time of the supernova's transition
from its opaque to transparent stage. Such studies can reveal, in a movie, the
aftermath of a supernova explosion shortly after shock breakout.
