Russia, First Ever Filming on Space Station... Filming Team Successfully Docks

On the 5th (local time), the Russian filming team arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) to produce the first feature film shot in outer space. From left to right: actress Yuliya Peresild, director Klim Shipenko, and astronaut Anton Shkaplerov.
[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] Filming has begun on the first-ever feature film produced in outer space, originating from Russia. The spacecraft carrying the filming crew successfully docked with the International Space Station (ISS), and filming is expected to continue for the next 12 days.

According to Russia's TASS news agency on the 5th (local time), the Soyuz MS-19 spacecraft carrying the filming crew for the first movie shoot at the ISS was launched from the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. Onboard the spacecraft were professional astronaut Anton Shkaplerov (49), the film’s director Klim Shipenko (38), and actress Yuliya Peresild (37).

The spacecraft docked with the Russian module of the ISS, Rassvet, about three and a half hours after launch. During docking, an automatic system error occurred, and astronaut Shkaplerov manually controlled the docking, successfully completing it, TASS reported. This marks the first time in history that filming has begun in outer space.

The filming crew is scheduled to stay on the ISS for 12 days to continue shooting. The film, tentatively titled Challenge, tells the story of a doctor trying to save an astronaut suffering from a heart condition. Approximately 35 to 40 minutes of the entire film will be shot on the ISS.

This film production is known to have been promoted by Russia to showcase and publicize its space technology amid the recent surge of private space companies from Western countries, such as Blue Origin and Virgin Galactic, launching space tourism products. Previously, NASA had also discussed producing a film on the ISS with Hollywood star Tom Cruise since May last year, but no concrete plans have been finalized.