Just when you thought reality TV had exhausted shooting locations for its wannabe celebrities an island paradise, a McMansion or a suburban housing block how about inside a multi-billion-dollar orbiting SpaceX capsule?
Netflix has just announced the first-ever documentary series to cover reality-TV action using videographers to film in near real time after sending four civilians into space for a three-day trip orbiting earth.
Titled Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space, the five-part series tracks Chris Sembroski, Hayley Arcenfaux, Jared Isaacman and Dr Sian Proctor on their journey to zero gravity and beyond.
From training to launch to landing, this all-access docuseries rides along with the Inspiration4 crew on the first all-civilian orbital space mission, Netflix said in a statement.
It may not attract 600 million viewers, as the first moon landing did in 1969, but the hope of skyrocketing audience numbers streaming the series to their couches could see a new frontier for the entertainment sector.
Netflix will release the first two episodes on September 6, when we meet the crew. Episodes three and four on September 13 are about preparing for launch, and on September 15 well be able to witness the live launch on YouTube.
Theres no date for the last episode the return home.
The dramatic music, rocket launch from the Kennedy Space Centre and snippets from the four civilians will be enough to lock and load your monthly streaming calendar.
But what do we know about who got the golden tickets to space?
Mr Isaacman, commander of the trip and billionaire entrepreneur, originally advertised for candidates during a Super Bowl advert for his company, Shift4Payments. He had bought the four tickets from SpaceX.
He did give the 72-hour reality TV experience some context in the trailer, making us feel its not just a romp for rich people.
Our mission to space had to serve a bigger purpose which is why it is a $200m fundraising campaign for the St Jude childrens research hospital, a member of the civilian aerospace display group, the Black Diamond Jet Team (and mountain climber), said.
When Dr Proctor, 51, was told on March 30 Youre going to space, she was so thrilled all she could say is Oh my God! while holding her face in her hands. The geology professor, science communicator and commercial astronaut won a ticket from the online competition put on by Mr Isaacman.
The stars aligned for this, and I still cant believe it, Dr Proctor said on NASAs website. I wrote a poem about why they should take me, I read the poem and submitted the video of it. It resonated and here we are.
I was born on Guam directly because of human spaceflight, as my dad had worked at the tracking station during the Apollo missions. About eight-and-a-half months after Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the Moon, I was borna literal moon landing celebration baby.
Ms Arcenfaux, a bone cancer survivor and physicians assistant at St Judes, has been training for months. She says shell be the first person with a prosthetic body part to go into space.
Husband and father from Washington, Mr Sembroski says in the promo theres a lot of risk. As he kisses his wife goodbye there will be one question on his and viewers collective minds: What if something goes wrong?
The promo gets more dramatic when were reminded that while there may only be four people on board the SpaceX, they represent the other seven and a half billion of us because if they can go, we can all go.
According to technology news website Recode (now integrated into Vox), SpaceX and Netflix are not the only companies hoping to capitalise on the historic shift to commercial space travel.
The Inspiration4 mission and its streaming special mark a new era of live broadcasting from space, Julia Alexander, a senior strategy analyst at Parrot Analytics, told Recode.
The rise of space tourism also seems ripe for the streaming age, a time when people can watch these events almost anywhere, and the entertainment industry has already started turning billionaires joyrides in zero gravity into massive media events.
Shooting something into space, thats something thats going to bring in subscribers globally,
Ms Alexander adds the fact that theyre relatively cheap to produce compared to the high-profile, prestigious dramas with the big Hollywood talent means the future looks bright for space-bound reality shows.
Deals would need to be done with SpaceX as ideas from other companies emerge, including an unscripted reality TV show Space Hero, where a contestant wins a trip to the International Space Station in 2023.
According to Deadline, the series, produced Ben Silverman and Howard Owens Propagate, will launch a global search for everyday people from any background who share a deep love for space exploration. They will be vying for the biggest prize ever awarded on TV.
I imagine SpaceX has some form of say in what is going on, Ms Alexander told Recode.
Netflix just wants to carry it and make the best docu-series possible.
Originally posted here:
The final frontier: Reality TV takes a massive step for mankind and soars into space - The New Daily
- How Long Would It Take To Travel To The Nearest Star ... [Last Updated On: June 16th, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 16th, 2016]
- Time travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: June 21st, 2016] [Originally Added On: June 21st, 2016]
- Space tourism - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: July 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2016]
- Space Travel and Exploration [Last Updated On: July 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: July 25th, 2016]
- Space-A travel - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Human spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space Travel Facts for Kids [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Spaceflight - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia [Last Updated On: August 25th, 2016] [Originally Added On: August 25th, 2016]
- Space travel - Dune - Wikia [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- Daily Science Fiction :: Space Travel [Last Updated On: September 18th, 2016] [Originally Added On: September 18th, 2016]
- SPACE TRAVEL - Fact Monster [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Tourism - National Space Society [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- space travel - NYMag.com [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Articles about Space Travel - latimes [Last Updated On: October 6th, 2016] [Originally Added On: October 6th, 2016]
- Space Travel - Astronomy + Space Exploration - Leisure [Last Updated On: November 8th, 2016] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2016]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown at Alpha Centauri - Phys.Org [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Humans to be FROZEN IN TIME for space travel as scientists move to COLONISE other planets - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space flight changes astronauts' brains, research reveals - Fox News [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- A Real Life Hibernation Chamber is Being Made For Deep Space Travel - Futurism [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Is This Buzz Aldrin-Inspired Locomotive The Future Of Space Travel? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel visionaries solve the problem of interstellar slowdown ... - Science Daily [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Space travel changes DNA, study finds - STLtoday.com [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- Celestial bodies: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - Pittsburgh Post-Gazette [Last Updated On: February 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 6th, 2017]
- First results on Scott Kelly after year in space reveal space travel changes DNA - USA TODAY [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- Quantum Entanglement May Be Key To Long Distance Space Travel Ex Lockheed Exec Said It's Already Happening - Collective Evolution [Last Updated On: February 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 7th, 2017]
- NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center employees safe, returning following Michoud tornado - whnt.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Newspaper review: Heartthrob and space travel in Wednesday's papers - BBC News [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Another View: NASA's Twins Study offers vital sign for space travel - Press Herald [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Piece of tragic shuttle history gets a second chance at space travel - WQAD.com [Last Updated On: February 9th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 9th, 2017]
- Meet Shawn Pandya, The Third Indian-Origin Woman To Space-Travel - Huffington Post India [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Shawna Pandya clears the air on rumours of space travel - Daily News & Analysis [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel - San Angelo Standard Times [Last Updated On: February 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 10th, 2017]
- Did a CSU study find that space travel makes you younger? Not so ... - The Denver Post [Last Updated On: February 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 11th, 2017]
- Lacoste delves into the world of space travel at New York Fashion ... - Evening Standard [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Another Viewpoint: The Kelly twins offer a vital sign for space travel ... - Gainesville Sun [Last Updated On: February 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 12th, 2017]
- Starbound to revamp space travel in future update | PC Gamer - PC Gamer [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- How Does Long-Term Space Travel Affect Humans? - Voice of America [Last Updated On: February 13th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 13th, 2017]
- SPACE TRAVEL MAY CAUSE GENETIC CHANGES: STUDY - The Indian Panorama [Last Updated On: February 15th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 15th, 2017]
- Two-Time Space Traveling Astronaut to Speak at Black History ... - Patriots Point [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Twins in space: intergalactic travel could change DNA - The Student [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Make space travel great again: NASA, heeding Trump, may add astronauts to a test flight moon mission - National Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- In recently unearthed essay, Winston Churchill anticipated space travel and extraterrestrial life - Washington Post [Last Updated On: February 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 17th, 2017]
- Focus Friday: The necessity of space travel - The Daily Cougar - The Daily Cougar [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Do You Have The Right Personality For Long-Term Space Travel ... - Seeker [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Space News From SpaceDaily.Com [Last Updated On: February 18th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 18th, 2017]
- Ask Ethan: How Can I Travel Through Space Without Getting Into Trouble? - Forbes [Last Updated On: February 19th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 19th, 2017]
- UK bids to be world leader in Space travel by 2020 - Daily Star [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- You could fly to SPACE from the UK within three years as plans are for space port are unveiled - The Sun [Last Updated On: February 20th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 20th, 2017]
- Cosmic cinema: spurring interest in real-life space travel? - Miami Student [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel could be ready as early as 2020 - New York Post [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- Know before you fly: privatized space travel - Observer Online [Last Updated On: February 22nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 22nd, 2017]
- This Finnish startup democratizes space travel and it just raised over 3 million to find the next 'Slumdog ... - Business Insider Nordic [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- TRAPPIST-1: How Long Would It Take to Fly to 7-Planet System? - Space.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Commercial space travel WITHIN THREE YEARS on flights to launch from BRITAIN - Express.co.uk [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Katherine Johnson led African American efforts in space travel ... - Farm and Dairy [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- Space travel is measured in light years, but what's a light year anyway? - MyStatesman.com [Last Updated On: February 23rd, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 23rd, 2017]
- SpaceX supply ship completes journey to space station - Spaceflight Now [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- NASA Looking for Bright Ideas to Help With Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: February 24th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2017]
- The black women who pioneered space travel - Channel 24 [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- SpaceX's reusable rockets make space travel much cheaper - CMU The Tartan Online [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- The history of space travel encapsulated - Fairfaxtimes.com [Last Updated On: February 26th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 26th, 2017]
- Stars align for space travel at memorable Oscars ceremony - Siliconrepublic.com [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- FSU researcher to lead US-Russia project on health, space travel - Florida State News [Last Updated On: February 28th, 2017] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2017]
- Watch an astrophysicist explain how NASA's next space telescope will help us time-travel through the Universe - The Verge [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Forget SpaceX: 10 companies that will change space travel in 2017 & 2018 - Geektime [Last Updated On: March 1st, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 1st, 2017]
- Safe space travel: Protecting alien worlds from earthlings - and vice versa - Deutsche Welle [Last Updated On: March 2nd, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 2nd, 2017]
- Watch: 'Black Holes' A Satirical Comedy About Space Travel From Sundance 2017 - Konbini US [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Beyond Earth talking about space travel - Alaska Public Radio Network [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Doctor Launches Vision Quest To Help Astronauts' Eyeballs - NPR [Last Updated On: March 4th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 4th, 2017]
- Colorado Likely To Benefit From Privatized Space Travel - CBS Local [Last Updated On: March 6th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 6th, 2017]
- NEC develops reliable FPGAs for space travel - Electronics Weekly - Electronics Weekly [Last Updated On: March 7th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 7th, 2017]
- SpaceX Moon Mission Won't Be Rich People's Joyride ... Says Space Travel Vet - TMZ.com [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- 4 Entrepreneurs Changing the Way We Think About Space Travel - Tech.Co [Last Updated On: March 8th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 8th, 2017]
- Harvard Scientists Theorize That Fast Radio Bursts Come From Alien Space Travel - Popular Mechanics [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- EDITORIAL: Exploring private space travel - Indiana Daily Student [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- Why Space Travel Can Be Absolutely Disgusting - Live Science [Last Updated On: March 10th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 10th, 2017]
- More Evidence for How a Trip to Mars Will Wreck the Human Body - Inverse [Last Updated On: March 11th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 11th, 2017]
- MIT Conference To Focus On Space Travel For The Public - CBS Boston / WBZ [Last Updated On: March 12th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 12th, 2017]
- The AstroRad Radiation Shield: The New Protective Vest for Deep Space - TrendinTech [Last Updated On: March 17th, 2017] [Originally Added On: March 17th, 2017]