Countdown is on for Netflix to release its reality TV program in space

Soon, you’ll be able to join billionaires and take part in the space race too. The catch is that you’ll be watching it from the comfort of your couch on TV

Netflix says its new documentaries, ‘Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space’ will bring space tourism directly to your screen.

But is hosting what is essentially a reality TV show in space a good idea?

This question comes as we increasingly are looking to answer questions about the accessibility and ethics of space tourism.

Everything you need to know about Inspiration4 Mission to Space

The series will follow a civilian crew as they journey into space aboard a SpaceX aircraft.

It will come in five parts, with Netflix releasing the first episode on September 6. Two more episodes will be released on September 13, and the launch will be streamed as a “feature-length finale” to be released at the end of the month.

Netflix says: “From training to launch to landing, this all-access docuseries rides along with the Inspiration4 crew on the first all-civilian orbital space mission”.

“We’re all going to space”

It’s pretty clear that Netflix is angling the series to cut through criticism that space tourism is exclusive to the exorbitantly rich.

The mission will raise money for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, and Netflix will also release an cartoon to explain the mission to children and their families.

However, despite attempts to essentially brand the mission as inclusive to ‘regular people’, it should be noted that billionaire Jared Isaacman will be piloting the aircraft.

First-time for Netflix covering a “near-real time” event

The series also comes as a first for Netflix. The streaming giant has hired a team of filmers to follow the astronauts as they prepare to go into space.

Julia Alexander from Parrot Analytics told Recode that Netflix has much to gain from the deal.

“Shooting something into space, that’s something that’s going to bring in subscribers globally”