It’s hard for us to imagine, but most students in America haven’t seen a U.S. spacecraft carry astronauts into space. It’s been more than nine years since the last space shuttle mission, so anybody not in high school is likely too young to remember watching a space mission “live.”
Add to the fact that, for the first time, the mission is being helmed by a private company—led by a love-him-or-hate-him CEO in Elon Musk—space news should at least briefly be the most talked about event of the day on Wednesday, May 27.
While the actual event will be covered across the TV spectrum (network TV news will carry it live, cable news outlets have signaled they will be carrying it, and online streaming will be available in a variety of places), because of its newsworthiness, numerous other pieces of programming will grace the airwaves to help viewers understand the historical moment. Here’s a few suggestions as NASA and SpaceX make history:
WHAT: America’s first astronaut-launch in 11 years in a NASA-branded SpaceX (private company) Crew Dragon spacecraft. There are two astronauts on board, Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley.
WHEN: 4:33 p.m. EASTERN / 3:33 p.m. CENTRAL ON WEDNESDAY 5/27. In case you don’t recall the days of the Space Shuttle Program, space flight is very tricky. Any range of weather conditions (from extra wind to too many clouds to rain) will cause a change in flight time. Additionally, any series of technical glitches can delay a launch, either momentarily or for multiple days. The current “backup” plan is for a launch 5/30 if it must be delayed on 5/27.
LIVE EVENT: The “liftoff” will be covered live on network TV as a “Special Report” (ABC, NBC, CBS) and on cable news channels. It will be streamed on cable news feeds online and on Twitter, and carried on NASA TV (see information later in the article).
DAY OF LAUNCH COVERAGE (THE PRE-SHOW)
ABC AND NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC are teaming up to cover the launch in many ways: LAUNCH AMERICA: MISSION TO SPACE LIVE will air live on the National Geographic Channel (and if you don’t get that, it will stream online at ABC News Live). It airs 3:00 p.m. – 5:00 p.m. Eastern on May 27. In the hour and a half leading up to launch, numerous experts will explain what is happening and take viewers behind the scenes. Scheduled events include interviews with former NASA astronaut Cady Coleman, current astronaut Christina Koch, ABC News science contributor Steven Gaynard, and several key NASA scientists and officials. A study of SpaceX and the future of business partnerships in space exploration will be discussed as well. The program is expected to profile the two astronauts and the astronauts’ wives, who are also both astronauts themselves.
“It’s very exciting to see Americans launching into space again,” said Marc Burstein, Senior Executive Producer of Special Events, ABC News. “It’s an uplifting story about the American spirit and resolve, heroism, and determination.”
The coverage will be anchored by Linsey Davis and Tom Llamas at ABC News in New York. Reporting Live from Cape Canaveral (at the launch site) will be ABC Transportation Correspondent Gio Benitez and reporter Victor Oquendo. Live weather updates will be provided by Chief Meteorologist Ginger Zee.
The partnership with National Geographic provides additional scientific opportunities. National Geographic will create a website of additional materials for the public to view. It has gone “live” already (available here). National Geographic contributing writer Nadia Drake will be reporting live on the launch date on the televised special and will be sending out a special NatGeo newsletter to subscribers that evening.
DISCOVERY/ SCIENCE CHANNEL
Discovery (it used to be called Discovery Channel but now simply goes by Discovery, if you’re not a science geek and missed the memo) and Science Channel will host a special program as well, complete with singer Katy Perry, Mythbusters host Adam Savage, and NASA Engineer/YouTube sensation Mark Rober. Several astronauts will also be interviewed, including Chris Cassidy (currently aboard the International Space Station, where the SpaceX crew is about to travel to). Other astronauts expected to appear include current astronauts Jessica Meir and K. Megan McArthur and retired astronauts Mike Massimino and Karen Nyberg.
“Discovery and Science Channel have spent over a year documenting SpaceX’s race to become the first private company to launch American astronauts into space. Our live special offers both incredible access for the launch, and expert insight from SpaceX Founder and Chief Engineer Elon Musk and other leading aerospace professionals,” said Scott Lewers, Executive Vice President of Multiplatform Programming, Science Channel.
“In these unprecedented times of isolation, we are excited to bring our viewers together to experience this event in a way they won’t see anywhere else, in the comfort of their own homes,” Lewers said.
WHAT ABOUT A PRE-PRE-SHOW?
Are you one of those people who isn’t just happy watching the ten hours of pre-game before the Super Bowl? Do you need days of coverage? Well, if that’s you when it comes to space coverage, you’re in luck. If you’re in the mood for a SpaceX show before the actual launch day, the best bet for entertaining programming is on Discover and Science Channel. A two-hour documentary “NASA & SPACEX: Journey to the Future” will air Monday, May 25 (9:00 a.m. Eastern / 8:00 Central) on Science Channel and will re-air on Tuesday, May 26 (10:00 a.m. Eastern / 9 Central) on Discovery. The documentary is unique because the film crew was given “unprecedented access” to NASA and SpaceX headquarters. Viewers will see footage from mission control, hear from Elon Musk and the two astronauts about to undertake the mission, and hear key new information about America’s plans to head to the moon and Mars in the next few years.
WHAT ABOUT THE POST-SHOW?
One day after the historic “blast off” occurs, the history continues with the live docking of the SpaceX Dragon spaceship with the International Space Station. This is the first time the astronauts will climb from vehicle to space station. The live docking of Dragon and International Space Station will be carried on ABC News Now, National Geographic Channel, NASA TV, and likely other networks. The ABC News Now / National Geographic Channel commentary promises discussion from current and former astronauts.
WHEN DO THEY LAND?
Good things come to those who wait—but it may already be Labor Day or so before the astronauts return to Earth. Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley are expected to stay in space from 30 to 100 days or so (possibly a bit longer) aboard the space station before returning to Earth. The “re-entry” and landing (unlike the space shuttle, this will be a splashdown with parachutes and an ocean-landing) more reminiscent of the Apollo missions—is expected to be late summer or early fall and will be carried live on networks and across digital news platforms. A second crew of astronauts is expected to launch back to space (if all goes well) before Christmas.
ARE YOU A TECHNICAL JUNKIE AND NEED EVEN MORE SPACE TV?
Additional Programs all week long will air on NASA Channel.
First off: What is the NASA Channel? The NASA Channel provides live video on key NASA events, such as launches, space station moments and press conferences. They also have educational shows. It’s been around for years, but if you haven’t watched it, you’re probably not alone.
Where do I find NASA Channel? If you have DirecTV (352) or Dish Network (286), you already have it on your television. Otherwise, check your local cable lineup. Most cable stations have not carried it for a few years since HD TV signals kicked in and channels changed frequencies, but if you have a computer, you have live access (free) to NASA TV. The best link is here, or you can watch the live stream on YouTube here.
NASA TV will begin live coverage of the mission beginning 12:15 p.m. ET on Wednesday, May 27. They will then provide continuous coverage in some form or another on the NASA Channel from liftoff to the docking with the International Space Station, which is expected to occur at 11:29 a.m. ET on Thursday, May 28. On the day of the launch, they’ll provide a live televised news conference at 6 p.m. ET on NASA TV about how the launch went and information for the press and public. This press conference will include NASA Administrator Jim Bridenstine, Kathy Lueders, manager of NASA’s Commercial Crew Program, a SpaceX representative, and Kirk Shireman, manager of the International Space Station Program. On the following day, after docking with the Space Station, NASA TV will carry a “media event” at 2:25 p.m. ET that is expected to have live video from the International Space Station.
Happy viewing. And if there’s a weather delay or technical problem that stalls and disappoints? Just remember that there’s always Doctor Who. She travels in a phone booth after all. (And it’s bigger on the inside!)
