[Reading Science] The Emergence of the 'Space Netflix'

NASA Joins OTT Competition... Launch of 'NASA+' Service
Various Videos Including Manned Moon Exploration Plan After 50 Years Revealed

It is truly the era of online video service (OTT) platforms. Traditional terrestrial broadcasters and cable channels alike are struggling to keep up with the dominance of OTTs led by Netflix. Viewers worldwide watch OTT platforms to enjoy K-dramas, and OTT providers are eager to secure Korean content.

However, there is one area where K-content notably struggles: science documentaries. Among these, space is a whole different dimension. This is because it is difficult to obtain space footage.

An innovative OTT service for space enthusiasts has emerged. The U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)’s streaming service, “NASA+,” is the protagonist. Now, you can vividly watch space as it truly is on your smartphone or living room TV. Some even call it the arrival of the “Space Netflix.” What’s more, this service is free. While OTT platforms like Netflix and Disney+ compete by raising subscription fees, enjoying vivid views of space costs nothing.

Many people find comfort simply by looking at the stars in the night sky when feeling down. Stars are objects of longing, but modern society has even taken away the freedom to gaze at them. Air pollution and various lights illuminating cities every night make it impossible to know where the stars are. Although you can take pictures of stars or the moon with your smartphone and watch private space rocket launches on YouTube, observing celestial phenomena deep in space was impossible.

The image of the sun released through NASA+. Photo by NASA+

Technological advancements now allow celestial phenomena to be viewed not only from the comfort of home but from anywhere. Launched on the 8th, NASA’s “NASA+” is a vast “video archive” sufficient to satisfy the curiosity of those interested in space. Let’s take a look at what is in this archive and how to watch it.

NASA+ offers not only live broadcasts but also various past space-related videos. A representative example is the robotic lunar explorer “VIPER.” VIPER (Volatiles Investigating Polar Exploration Rover) is tasked with exploring the moon and collecting ice samples near the lunar south pole. Final assembly and testing procedures have begun ahead of its scheduled launch in November 2024. NASA plans to broadcast VIPER’s assembly status live every month.

The top priority of “NASA+” is the newly initiated human lunar exploration. It means that the U.S. space program Artemis, which aims to send humans to the moon by 2025, will be broadcast live through “NASA+.” In a press release announcing the launch of the “NASA+” service, NASA expressed its ambition to allow everyone to watch in real time the first woman and person of color to land on the moon. While the first moon landing of the Apollo mission was broadcast on TV, the times have changed, and NASA will now stream it directly through its own OTT platform. Pam Melroy, NASA Deputy Administrator, expressed confidence, saying, “NASA is a leader among U.S. federal agencies in creating content that inspires people.”

A U.S. cargo spacecraft carrying approximately 2.95 tons of cargo arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) on November 11. This cargo ship is the Cargo Dragon, built by SpaceX under NASA's contract. NASA broadcasted the docking scene between the spacecraft and the ISS live through NASA+. Photo by NASA+.

NASA’s streaming service includes series about the James Webb Space Telescope, past rocket launches and landings, and the full history of U.S. space development. The views of space through the space telescope are enough to immerse viewers in a state of awe. The blazing red sun, Saturn’s rings, and not only the solar system but also distant space can be enjoyed in ultra-high definition as if right before your eyes in your living room. It goes without saying that you will be able to watch astronauts walking on the lunar surface live as they explore the moon.