posted 01-18-2016 06:28 PM               

PBS and Time Inc. Partner on Two-Part Series 'A Year in Space,' Featuring Astronauts Scott and Mark Kelly

First Special, Premiering March 2, Premieres Within A Day of Scott's Return and Chronicles His Yearlong Mission and Next Steps For a Mission to Mars

President and CEO Paula A. Kerger announced today (Jan. 18) at the Television Critics Association Press Tour that PBS has commissioned the two-part series "A Year in Space," adapted from TIME's original digital video series about astronaut Scott Kelly, whose current 12-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS) is testing human limits for space travel and laying the groundwork for a manned mission to Mars.

The first installment of "A Year in Space", which tracks Scott Kelly's mission from training and launch, through his 12 months aboard the International Space Station, right up through his descent and landing is scheduled to air on PBS on Wednesday, March 2 from 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET (check local listings), timed within a day of Scott's planned return to Earth. The second installment is scheduled to air in 2017.

Despite the technological "comforts" of the ISS, "A Year in Space" — the longest space mission in American history — has been described as the epitome of extreme, with extraordinarily high physical stakes. Following Scott in space and his identical twin Mark Kelly at home on Earth, the specials will tell the story of what it takes, mentally and physically, to spend "A Year in Space" and then, using what NASA has learned from the Kelly brothers, what it means for humanity as we journey to Mars and beyond.

In the Kelly brothers, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has a near-perfect, two-person sample group for biomedical research. NASA is closely tracking Scott's physical and emotional changes, and his biological functions, down to the molecular level while he is in orbit. The agency hopes to identify precisely what changes happened to Scott as a result of 12 months in space by comparing him to his identical twin, Mark, on Earth. What NASA learns about how Scott withstands the physical and psychological difficulties will provide scientists with key data to develop methods of overcoming the challenges of human interplanetary travel.

Viewers will witness the rigors of Scott's training to live in space for an entire year and will get to know his family and their dreams, stresses, fears and loves. Interwoven into the series' compelling personal story, "A Year in Space" will also delve into the broader historical context of the mission, including the history of space exploration, the political background of the Russian-US relationship – Scott's compatriot at the start of the mission is Russian astronaut Mikhail Korniyenk – and the science/engineering conundrums posed by interplanetary space travel.

The second episode of "A Year in Space" — scheduled to air in 2017 — will follow what happens to Scott Kelly as he returns to life on Earth. Once back on the ground, NASA will study what happens to the mind and body during and after long-duration space travel. Part two of "A Year in Space" also will explore the future of humanity's attempts to live beyond Earth. What will it take – technically and socially – to travel to and establish outposts on other planets, moons and asteroids?

"'A Year in Space' is an incredible opportunity to immerse audiences into an exciting current event, nearly in real-time. However, it is also a compelling human drama exploring the potential tragedies or triumphs of exploration. It is as close to a feature film as any documentary can get," said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.

TIME, owned by Time Inc., created "A Year in Space" in 2015 as a yearlong, 11-part digital video series, produced by TIME's Supervising Producer Jonathan Woods and directed by Shaul Schwarz. The episodes can be found on Time.com/space.

"The series represents one of Time Inc.'s most ambitious projects to date. It's an example of the high-quality programming that we are producing across our brands that audiences can access on any platform," said Ian Orefice, Senior Executive Producer of Time Inc. Video. "We are thrilled to be working with PBS on this monumental program and look forward to a collaborative partnership."

The series is being filmed to feature standards with unprecedented original assets and access for a series about space exploration. "A Year in Space" is produced by TIME's Red Border Films, with Jonathan Halperin, Mark Mannucci and Jonathan Woods serving as the producers.

"The production process on this project is truly exceptional, and the collaboration among partners to bring this story to life and to the airwaves within a day of Scott Kelly's return is unparalleled," added Halperin. "This series offers one scenario for the potential future of human existence and begins to pose difficult questions about what that future might look like, such as will we be able to establish the human race on other worlds, will we want to, and what will we do with this world?"

"A Year in Space" airs during "PBS SPACE WEEK," a programming block devoted to aspects of space exploration that will air on PBS beginning on March 1, 2016. "PBS Space Week" will include AMERICAN EXPERIENCE "Space Men" (March 1, 9:00 p.m. and re-airing March 2, 10:00 p.m.), which highlights forgotten heroes and amazing aeronautical feats – including the daring pre-astronauts who laid groundwork that led to the modern-day space program.

On March 2 at 9:00 p.m. PBS will re-air NOVA's "First Man on the Moon," which follows Neil Armstrong's incredible life story from his time as pioneer of high-speed flight to that first legendary step on the moon through never-before heard interviews from his friends and family. READY JET GO!, a new earth science and astronomy series from PBS KIDS that builds on children's curiosity about science, technology and astronomy, also will premiere new episodes February 29 – March 3.

posted 01-16-2017 09:16 AM               

PBS and Time Inc. Announce 'Beyond A Year in Space'

Part Two of the "A Year in Space" Specials Premieres November 2017

PBS President and CEO Paula A. Kerger announced today (Jan. 15) at the Television Critics Association Winter Press Tour that "Beyond a Year in Space," a follow-up documentary to 2016's "A Year in Space" special, is scheduled to premiere on PBS in November 2017.

The two specials, adapted from TIME's original digital video series about astronaut Scott Kelly's 12-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS), explore the human limitations for space travel and what a mission to Mars will require. "Beyond a Year in Space" picks up where the first film left off: Scott Kelly's last day in space and return to Earth. The final installment also introduces viewers to the next generation of astronauts training to leave Earth's orbit and travel into deep space.

"Beyond a Year in Space" tracks Scott Kelly's homecoming after a historic year in space – the longest space mission in American history. In addition to seeing Scott's long-awaited reunion with his family and friends at home in Texas, the film follows Scott and his identical twin brother, and fellow astronaut, Mark Kelly, as they undergo testing for NASA's twin study. The twin study hopes to identify precisely what changes Scott underwent after 12 months aboard the ISS by comparing him to Mark, who spent the year on Earth. The data NASA aims to gain from this study will help scientists understand what it will take for humans to endure long-duration space travel.

Viewers will meet Jessica Meir and Victor Glover, two of the astronauts preparing to venture farther than humankind has ever gone. "Beyond a Year in Space" features interviews and a behind-the-scenes look at how these astronauts are training to go the distance. Viewers will also learn what it means to each of them to be one of the few human beings to venture out of Earth's orbit, beyond the moon, into deep space and possibly to Mars.

"'Beyond a Year in Space' takes a deep look at one of humanity's greatest scientific achievements and provides a lens into Scott Kelly's personal journey, and what it means for the next generation of astronauts training for Mars and beyond," said Beth Hoppe, Chief Programming Executive and General Manager, General Audience Programming, PBS.

TIME, owned by Time Inc., created "A Year in Space" in 2015 as a yearlong, 12-part digital video series, produced by TIME's Supervising Producer Jonathan Woods and directed by Shaul Schwarz. The episodes can be found on Time.com/space.

"This project and meaningful partnership with PBS continues to be one of the shining examples of Time Inc.'s initiative to bring its storytelling to television viewers around the world," said Ian Orefice, Head of Programming, Time Inc. Video. "The gripping story of Scott Kelly and the future of space travel is one of importance that touches all of humanity."

The specials are being filmed to feature standards with unprecedented original assets and access for films about space exploration. "Beyond a Year in Space" is produced by TIME'S Red Border Films for PBS in association with Reel Peak Films and Room 608. © 2017 TIME'S Red Border Films and PBS. All Rights Reserved

The "A Year in Space" website on pbs.org features a suite of exclusive short-form videos detailing aspects of life on the International Space Station, as well as photos and videos shot during the mission. Visitors can also explore biographies and learn more about the Twin Study. Conversation about #YearInSpace on social media is reflected through a social hub on the site. Users also have the opportunity to view PBS archival materials about space exploration. Upcoming conversation about this special can be found using #BeyondYearinSpacePBS.

"Beyond a Year in Space" will be available to stream the morning after broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and PBS apps for iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast.

posted 10-10-2017 11:44 AM               

PBS and Time Inc. Present 'Beyond a Year in Space'

Part Two of 'A Year In Space' Premieres Wednesday, November 15, 2017

Scott Kelly Adjusts to Life on Earth After Record-Breaking Mission, as the Next Generation of Astronauts Prepares for Deep Space Travel

"Beyond a Year in Space," Part Two of "A Year in Space," chronicles astronaut Scott Kelly's return and adjustment to life on Earth after spending 12 months on the International Space Station (ISS), the longest space mission in American history. Exploring the effects of long-term space travel on the human body, the film also introduces the next generation of astronauts currently training to leave Earth's orbit and travel into deep space. "Beyond a Year in Space", which picks up the story with Scott Kelly's last day in space and return to Earth, premieres Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on PBS. It will be preceded by an encore broadcast of "A Year in Space," 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.

"Beyond a Year in Space" follows Kelly's homecoming and long-awaited reunion with his family in Texas after his record-breaking stay in space with Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko. The film also tracks the extensive medical testing undergone by Scott and his brother and fellow astronaut, Mark Kelly. As identical twins, the brothers presented NASA with the extraordinary opportunity of conducting experiments on two individuals who have the same genetic makeup but spent the year in vastly different environments. The data from the twins study will help NASA determine what it will take for humans to endure long-duration space travel in preparation for a mission to Mars, an unprecedented three-year journey.

Although Scott maintained a rigorous exercise program in space, the physical toll of the voyage is evident upon his return as he suffers from sore muscles, stiff joints, flu-like symptoms, skin sensitivity and inflammation. "Gravity definitely gives you a beat down when you get back," he said. "My feet still bother me some — I didn't walk on them for a year!"

"Beyond a Year in Space" introduces two new astronauts preparing to venture farther than humankind has ever gone: biologist Jessica Meir and former Navy pilot Victor Glover, and provides a behind-the-scenes look at how they are training to go the distance. While first-generation astronauts were mostly "top guns" chosen for their experience in flying untested vehicles, the new generation is a diverse team with a wide variety of backgrounds and skill sets. The film follows Meir and Glover at NASA and at home, exploring their lives as astronauts and as individuals as each expresses what it means to carry on the legacy of the astronauts who came before them.

"Now that we have spent decades exploring the low-Earth orbit where the space station operates, the next question, I think, as a human species is, 'What's next?,'" said Meir. "What is the next step toward furthering our presence in the cosmos, in the solar system, in our universe?"

"When I was backing away from that space station I was reflecting on the fact that we built this space station in low-Earth orbit," said Kelly. "It's the size of a football field — a million pounds. I think it's the hardest thing people have ever done. I feel very strongly that if we can do this, we can do anything. As future explorers, I would say if we decide we want to go to Mars, we can go to Mars."

Featuring TIME's Jeffrey Kluger, science journalist Miles O'Brien, NASA scientists, engineers and doctors, and a special appearance by Apollo 13 astronaut Jim Lovell, "Beyond a Year in Space" provides historical background on space exploration and connects the experiences of the earliest astronauts on manned space flights to those paving the way for the future of space exploration today.

TIME, owned by Time Inc., created "A Year in Space" in 2015 as a yearlong, 12-part digital video series, produced by TIME's supervising producer Jonathan Woods and directed by Shaul Schwarz. The episodes can be found on Time.com/space. "Beyond a Year in Space" is produced by TIME'S Red Border Films for PBS in association with Reel Peak Films and Room 608.

"Beyond a Year in Space" will be available to stream the morning after broadcast on all station-branded PBS platforms, including PBS.org and PBS apps for iOS, Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV and Chromecast.

posted 10-12-2017 08:09 AM            

In fact, the flight lasted 342 days, which is a little under 49 weeks, or 93.4% of a (leap) year. That would be roughly equivalent to lauding Roger Bannister for running the first "four minute mile" if he had actually run the mile in 4 minutes 15 seconds.

posted 10-15-2017 02:13 AM               

"Beyond a Year in Space", which picks up the story with Scott Kelly's last day in space and return to Earth, premieres Wednesday, November 15, 2017, 9:00-10:00 p.m. ET on PBS. It will be preceded by an encore broadcast of "A Year in Space," 8:00-9:00 p.m. ET.

posted 11-17-2017 02:00 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by astro-nut:
Do we know if this will be available on DVD in the near future?

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