Netflix has released the trailer for their upcoming documentary SpaceX's private Inspiration4 mission. It introduces the first all-civilian crew to launch into orbit next year.
The Netflix series "Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space", which is a near-real-time Netflix series, will air in several episodes that premiered on Sept. 2. SpaceX will launch four civilian astronauts to orbit aboard a Crew Dragon spacecraft in September 15.
The trailer was released on YouTube Thursday, August 19. It shows the crew training and promises that Inspiration4 is the "next great leap forward for civilians." The teaser is a one-minute long and focuses on issues such as disability overcome, raising money for charity and dealing with families' concerns about the inherent danger of climbing on a rocket.
From left, the Inspiration4 mission crew members Jared Isaacman (from left), Hayley Arceneaux and Sian Proctor pose at Kennedy Space Center in Florida Monday, March 29, 2021. SpaceX image credit
Privately chartered Inspiration4 will fly four people into space on Sept. 15, aboard a SpaceX Dragon. They will orbit Earth for three days. Jared Isaacman, a billionaire and mission financier, Hayley Arceneaux, a childhood cancer survivor (whom Isaacman invited), Chris Sembroski, data engineer Chris Sembroski, and Sian Proctor are part of the crew. Sian Proctor is a geoscientist and science communicator as well as Sian Proctor. None of them are astronauts.
Netflix's trailer paid tribute to Proctor and Sembroski in a trailer. Isaacman's main goal is to support St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, Arcenaux's place of work and where she received her treatments for cancer years ago.
Photos: Watch the Inspiration4 astronauts fly a SpaceX Dragon.
Netflix will release five episodes and livestream the launch on September 15th on its YouTube channel. If the launch goes according to plan, Sept. 6 will bring two episodes, which will be focused on the crew. Two episodes will air Sept. 13 that focus on the launch preparations. The journey home will be featured in the last episode, which will air sometime in September.
Time Studios will co-produce the documentary series, which is directed by Jason Hehir, creator of "The Last Dance" with Michael Jordan.
The trailer does not reveal that Netflix will release a "hybrid animated live-action special for children and families" about the mission. It will air on Sept. 14. According to The Verge, it will cover topics such as rocket mechanics, astronauts' sleep habits and food in space, and other basic mission information.
Inspiration4 crew experiences weightlessness during zero-g flight. (Image credit: Inspiration4/John Kraus)
Netflix's decision not to emphasize diversity in its Inspiration4 trailer follows criticism of two other billionaire-funded missions that ran in July. Blue Origin's New Shepard and Virgin Galactic's VSS Unity, which were crewed spaceflights, were founded by Richard Branson and Jeff Bezos.
Online commentators raised questions about the Virgin Galactic, Blue Origin and Blue Origin missions, including whether billionaires are in competition (both denied), the value of spaceflights for wealthy people and their invitees and what the missions will mean for the space tourism industry, which has so far been closed to the public.
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