A Galaxy of Entertainment: What Astronauts Watch on the International Space Station
The International Space Station (ISS) isn’t just a floating laboratory; it’s a home away from home for astronauts, a testament to human ingenuity, and, surprisingly, a hub for entertainment. While astronauts dedicate much of their time to crucial research, they also crave moments of relaxation and respite. And just like the rest of us, they enjoy the comfort and escape offered by movies and TV shows.
In 2016, Gizmodo, through a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request, discovered a fascinating list of movies and TV shows available to astronauts on the ISS. Now, in a recent FOIA request, we’ve been granted an updated glimpse into what’s being streamed above Earth.
This time, we’re focusing on the expansive list of TV shows. And the selection is surprisingly diverse, reflecting the vast range of tastes and interests among astronauts.
New additions to the ISS viewing lineup include:
- "The First", a Hulu drama starring Sean Penn about the first manned mission to Mars. This fits perfectly with the space station’s context, offering a glimpse into the future of human exploration.
- "For All Mankind", an Apple TV+ series exploring an alternate history where the Soviet Union beat the United States to land the first man on the moon. This thought-provoking show touches on themes of ambition, competition, and technological advancements, resonating with the astronauts’ own experiences.
- "Space Force", a comedy about the creation of a new branch of the US military dedicated to space exploration. This comedic take on a space-related theme provides a lighthearted contrast to the serious nature of the astronauts’ work.
Beyond space-themed shows, astronauts can also enjoy:
- "Book of Boba Fett", a Star Wars spin-off series exploring the life of the legendary bounty hunter Boba Fett, satisfying the sci-fi cravings of any space enthusiast.
- "The Crown", a historical drama chronicling the reign of Queen Elizabeth II, offering a escape into the world of royalty and diplomacy.
- "Chopped", a competitive cooking show, proving that even in space, the simple pleasures of food and competition are valued.
The selection isn’t limited to recent releases either. Astronauts have access to a plethora of Earth-bound entertainment, including:
- "Friends", "Young Sheldon", "How I Met Your Mother", and "Big Bang Theory" highlighting the enduring appeal of classic sitcoms.
- "Westworld", "True Detective", and "Game of Thrones", all HBO productions, demonstrating that astronauts are in for a treat when it comes to high-quality drama and suspense.
- "Stranger Things", "Succession", "Loki", and many others, showcasing the diverse offerings from streaming giants like Netflix, Apple TV+, and Disney+.
It’s worth noting that astronauts usually have access to most seasons of popular shows, creating a sense of familiarity and continuity with life on Earth. However, some notable absences exist. For instance, season three of "Mr. Robot" is surprisingly missing. Perhaps it was deemed too intense for the space station’s relaxed environment, or maybe it was simply a matter of logistics.
The list also includes a selection of documentaries:
- "When We Left Earth: The NASA Missions", a chronicle of human spaceflight endeavors, likely offering a particularly pertinent and inspiring viewing choice for astronauts.
- "From the Earth to the Moon", a nostalgic look at the Apollo missions, showcasing a key chapter in space exploration history.
- "The Last Days of World War II", delving into a pivotal moment in human history, providing a glimpse into the gravity of historical events from a completely different perspective.
Here’s a complete list of the TV shows available to astronauts on the ISS:
- 1883 (Season 1)
- The Americans (Seasons 1‐4)
- Among the Stars
- Andor (Season 1)
- Arrested Development (Seasons 1-3)
- A Series of Unfortunate Events (Seasons 1-3)
- Band of Brothers
- Banff Film Festival World Tour
- Battlestar Galactica (Seasons 1-4)
- Better Call Saul (Seasons 1-6)
- Big Bang Theory (Seasons 1-8)
- Big Little Lies (Seasons 1-2)
- Blackadder (Seasons 1‐4)
- Breaking Bad (Seasons 1-6)
- Cosmos
- Chopped (Season 51)
- The Chosen (Seasons 1 ‐3)
- Countdown: Inspiration 4 Mission to Space
- The Crown (Seasons 1-4)
- Deadwood (Seasons 1-3)
- Dead to Me (Seasons 1-2)
- The Expanse (Seasons 1‐6)
- Falcon and the Winter Soldier (Season 1)
- Firefly
- The First (Season 1)
- Fixer Upper (Seasons 1‐5)
- For All Mankind (Seasons 1‐3)
- Friends (Seasons 6‐10)
- Friends the Reunion
- Friday Night Lights (Seasons 1‐5)
- From the Earth to the Moon
- Game of Thrones (Seasons 1-8)
- Godless (Season 1)
- The Handmaid’s Tale (Seasons 1-2)
- House of the Dragon (Season 1)
- How I Became Russian
- How I Met Your Mother (Seasons 1‐8)
- Jack Ryan (Seasons 1-2)
- Kaamelott
- Killing Eve (Seasons 1‐3)
- The Last Dance
- The Last Days of World War II
- Le Bureau
- Loki (Season 1)
- Lonesome Dove
- Longmire (Seasons 1‐6)
- The Lord of the Rings the Rings of Power (Season 1)
- Lost in Space (Seasons 1-2)
- The Mandalorian (Seasons 1-2)
- Modern Family (Seasons 1-11)
- Mr. Robot (Seasons 1-2, 4)
- The Office (Seasons 1-9)
- Parks and Recreation (Seasons 1-7)
- Peaky Blinders (Season 1)
- The Queen’s Gambit
- ReelRock
- The Right Stuff (Season 1)
- Schitt’s Creek (Seasons 3-6)
- Seinfeld (Season 1‐9)
- Severance (Season 1)
- Shackleton
- Sherlock (Seasons 1‐3)
- Silicon Valley (Season 1‐6)
- Space Force (Season 1-2)
- Squid Game (Season 1)
- Star Trek Discovery (Seasons 1‐3)
- Star Trek Picard
- Stranger Things (Seasons 1‐4)
- Succession (Season 2)
- Ted Lasso (Seasons 1‐3)
- The Book of Boba Fett (Season 1)
- The Terror
- The Witcher (Seasons 1-2)
- True Detective (Season 1)
- Wandavision (Season 1)
- Watchmen (Season 1)
- Westworld (Seasons 1‐3)
- When We Left The Earth
- Yellowstone (Seasons 1‐4)
- Young Sheldon (Season 6)
Examining the list, we can’t help but wonder: What would be the funniest, most bizarre, or unexpectedly moving shows to watch while floating in space? Would a classic sitcom like "Friends" provide a reassuring link to Earthly life? Would the suspense of "True Detective" resonate with the astronauts’ unique perspective? Or would a documentary like "When We Left Earth" evoke a sense of awe and inspiration?
The astronauts’ TV choices paint a more nuanced picture of life on the ISS. It’s a space station, yes, but it’s also a place where people seek entertainment, emotional connection, and a reminder of the pleasures and complexities of life on Earth. It’s a testament to the enduring power of storytelling, even in the vacuum of space.
Stay tuned as we delve into the vast library of movies available for astronauts to watch, uncovering another layer of this remarkable aspect of life on the ISS.
