Are you up for some science-based escapism and adventure like we haven’t seen since the great Age of Exploration? Then National Geographic’s new special on colonizing Mars may be worth checking out Monday evening:
Part of what makes this program unique is that it combines a scripted, dramatic reenactment of a fictional mission to Mars taking place in 2033 with documentary-style commentary from experts such as NASA administrator Charles Bolden, former Apollo 13 astronaut James Lovell, SpaceX founder Elon Musk, cosmologist/astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson and others.
The six part miniseries is a rare example of speculative science-fiction informed by fact, all raised to new heights of special effects and production standards:
Just like the planet it depicts, the new format is largely uncharted terrain. The miniseries is the standard-bearer of National Geographic’s reincarnation, which will focus on so-called “premium nonfiction” programs like this one. For NASA and SpaceX, it may be an opportunity to bring to life the journey to Mars alive – and to rally the public behind their visions.
National Geographic's Mars is directed by Ron Howard and begins tonight at 8 PM ET in the US. If you’re chomping at the bit for more, NatGeo already has video from episode one and behind the scenes clips at their website.