Get ready to explore space without leaving your sofa! NASA has announced a partnership to bring its streaming service, NASA+, to Netflix. This means you’ll soon be able to watch thrilling rocket launches, fascinating spacewalks, and live views of Earth from the International Space Station right on your favorite streaming platform. It’s all about making the wonders of space exploration more accessible to everyone, everywhere.
What Exactly Is NASA+?
You might not have heard of NASA+ before, and that’s okay! It actually launched back in 2023 as NASA’s own free, ad-free streaming service. Think of it as an upgrade to the old NASA TV. It’s packed with content straight from the source: videos from active missions, deep dives into research, footage from the ISS, and a rich archive of documentaries and historical moments.
Here’s the cool part: This new deal doesn’t mean NASA+ is only on Netflix. The free service will continue to be available just as it is now, via the NASA app and their website. The Netflix partnership is about reaching a massive new audience, not moving the content exclusively. It’s like adding another channel to the universe of places you can watch NASA’s amazing stories.
Why Bring Space to Your Screen?
NASA’s mission, as laid out in the 1958 Space Act, is all about sharing the incredible journey of space exploration with as many people as possible. This move to Netflix is a huge step in that direction. Netflix reaches hundreds of millions of households globally, far more than NASA’s existing platforms alone.
As Rebecca Sirmons, general manager of NASA+, put it, it’s about inspiring new generations “right from the comfort of their couch or in the palm of their hand from their phone.” The goal is simple: bring the excitement of NASA’s discoveries, inventions, and space adventures to people “wherever they are.”
What Space Events Can You Watch?
Prepare for front-row seats to some of the most spectacular events in the universe, streamed directly to your device. The main highlights arriving on Netflix will include:
- Live Rocket Launches: Witness the power as rockets, like SpaceX’s Falcon 9 carrying astronauts, lift off from places like Cape Canaveral.
- Astronaut Spacewalks: Get a unique perspective as astronauts perform intricate tasks outside the International Space Station.
- Mission Coverage: Follow along with key moments from ongoing missions, including science briefings and behind-the-scenes preparation.
- Live from the ISS: Potentially catch live broadcasts directly from the astronauts living and working in orbit.
SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket launching with Crew Dragon capsule, representing the live space events coming to NASA+ on Netflix.
While NASA says the service is starting “this summer,” a specific date for the Netflix launch hasn’t been announced yet. Keep an eye out for the official debut!
Bringing NASA+ content to Netflix is a giant leap for making space exploration more accessible. It bridges the gap between groundbreaking science and the everyday viewer, offering a simple way to connect with the cosmos. Get ready to add rocket launches and cosmic views to your watchlist alongside your favorite movies and shows.
Curious about upcoming NASA missions? You can still check the official NASA website for scheduled events and details.
