Celebrating the momentous moment of America’s return to aviation two years ago, a new feature film from Emmy and Academy Award winning films Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin (“Meru, “” Free Solo “) is about to launch on Netflix (opens on new page) beginning April 7th.
“Return To Space” chronicles the accomplishments of Elon Musk and his entire SpaceX team as they embarked on a critical NASA mission on May 30, 2020, to deliver astronauts to the International Space Station from the US for first time since the time of the Atlantis plane. The last expedition took place in July 2011. The mission, called Demo-2, took former astronauts Bob Behnken and Doug Hurley into orbit for two months.
In pictures: SpaceX’s historic Demo-2 test flight with astronauts
Taking away the hopes and fears of all participants, Vasarhelyi and Chin created an amazing film that entertained viewers with the colorless industry of air travel and its tragedies and tragedies. victories.
From photos of SpaceX’s first rock planets exploding into fireballs, to tears and preparation, a tour of the SpaceX Dragon 2 spacecraft, and a fun list of superstitious traditions. prior to its release, “Return To Space” represents an important role in the evolution of commercial spaceflight.
Space.com talked to Vasarhelyi and Chin about how they got involved in the project, the challenges of filming during an illness, spending time with an expert like along with. [SpaceX founder] Elon Musk, and maybe they’re going to fly on a rocket for a space exploration trip.
Space.com: How did you relate to this project and what are your goals?
Chai Vasarhelyi: We’ve been interested in the story for a long time and it’s fun too. It seems to be an important event that symbolizes, in a very real sense, this new era in our human relationship with the sky. We enjoyed calling that and watching and writing to people after that. It’s Bob [Behnken] and Doug [Hurley]. Hans [Koenigsmann, who was a vice president at SpaceX until 2021] and Elona [Musk]. The engineers. And hopefully raise some questions about this and related principles. Therefore, we want to create a human connection between the well -known story and the people at home.
Space.com: What are the risks and rewards of getting “Return To Space?”
CV: Covid is very difficult because the space with Covid is not over and we are working on this film and we have limited time. That’s hard because our movies are made in a relationship. We enjoy spending time with people at our movies. The reason for this is that the astronauts began to film themselves, and so provided some very intimate scenes of their personal lives that were difficult to access.
Jimmy Kina: In return, we were deeply involved with the missionaries and the work of these missionaries when they pulled out what could not be paid much. Seeing them stand on the open field and become part of that missionary and return home safely, like everyone else, we held our breath. But we have more insight into the problem than the general public.
Space.com: What was it like to be around Elon Musk and learn something you didn’t know before?
CV: That’s the real deal. Elon thinks about the knowledge and thinks about these big questions. She loved him very much and the people who worked with her greatly admired her and the challenges she took. He is one of those people whom you listen to and then think about what he has to say. He was also crazy and loved sci-fi. That is very true.
Space.com: Were you able to include all the images you intended to include in your final cut?
CV: For the most part, yes. But all scientists are kind of superstitious. There are a lot of memories and things like lucky “Star Wars” socks that we can touch but we can move on. It just says what they like about what they do, it’s kind of fun.
Space.com: If you had the time, would you go on a space trip?
JC: When he woke up? Yes. I think about the work that SpaceX did and the security measures that they considered. Of course, I would. I want to see the Earth from the sky.
CV: An interesting question. I think my knowledge will be burned if I see the Earth from the sky. It will change my approach. It will change my approach. Change my parenting style. But I really like our six- and eight -year -olds and I don’t want to take any risks.
Space.com: How has working around Elon Musk and these highly skilled pilots and engineers changed you as a person and as an artist?
CV: My dad was a professor of artificial intelligence so it was like coming home. I grew up with a scientific team and Thanksgiving was more about family. It was a very pleasant place. Finding people who love their work is always inspiring. And space workers love their work and they think big questions, but they’re just like normal people.
JC: I hold on to the thought that they have these amazing dreams, and the sacrifices they make to make those dreams come true. The challenges they take and the decisions they make. In many ways I am very familiar with and deeply connected to everything. This is their job but this is what they love and the walls are higher. They need to do a better job of pulling it off. And it always strengthens me.
“Return to Space” will arrive on Netflix starting Friday, April 7th.
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