The latest documentary from Netflix charts the rise of SpaceX and Elon Musk’s two-decade effort to resurrect America’s space travel ambitions. Return to Space offers an intimate portrait of the engineers and astronauts for the first crewed mission launched from U.S. soil since the retirement of the Space Shuttle in 2011.
Oscar-winning directors Elizabeth Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin were offered rare access to document the historic moment. They followed NASA veterans Bob Behnken, Doug Hurley, and their families in the lead-up to the launch on the private rocket and spacecraft.
The documentary takes viewers along for the ride to the International Space Station. It also shows behind the scenes in mission control with Musk and the SpaceX team as they bring the crew back to Earth for a dramatic splashdown return.
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Return to Space trailer
Netflix has released a trailer for the documentary ahead of its premiere this week. In it, we see SpaceX gearing up for the commercial launch to the Space Station.
Musk says: “Earth is the cradle of humanity. But you cannot stay in the cradle forever.
“We should think more about, what’s the future we want? For me, it’s about making sure we become a spacefaring civilisation.”
The trailer also gives a glimpse into the nervousness around the launch. Families of the astronauts share their concerns about the risk and workers talk about their superstitions for launch day.
Musk adds: “There’s always things you don’t know about. So you don’t know when those things are going to come and get you.”
It ends with messages of positivity about future space exploration. Astronauts tell of their amazement at looking back on Earth - describing it as a humbling experience.
Musk concludes: “To be out there among the stars, I find that incredibly exciting. That makes me glad to be alive.”
What is the main goal of SpaceX?
SpaceX is an American aerospace manufacturer and a provider of space transportation, based in Hawthorne California. It was founded in 2002 by Musk with the aim of reducing space transportation costs to enable the colonisation of Mars.
Return to Space release date
The documentary will land on Netflix on Thursday 7 April at 8am in the UK. Its run time is 2h 8m.
