A Year in Space follows astronaut Scott Kelly's 12-month mission on the International Space Station, from launch to landing, as NASA charts the effects of long-duration spaceflight by comparing him to his identical twin on Earth, astronaut Mark Kelly. Beyond A Year in Space introduces viewers to the next generation of astronauts training to leave Earth’s orbit and travel into deep space.
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A Year in Space is available to stream on pbs.org and the free PBS App, available on iPhone, Apple TV, Android TV, Android smartphones, Amazon Fire TV, Amazon Fire Tablet, Roku, Samsung Smart TV, and Vizio.
About the Show
A Year in Space is a two-part series adapted from TIME’s original digital video series about astronaut Scott Kelly, whose 12-month stay on the International Space Station (ISS) tested human limits for space travel and set the groundwork for a manned mission to Mars.
These specials tell the story of what it takes, mentally and physically, to spend a year in space- and what it means for humanity as we journey to Mars and beyond.
About the Episodes
Part One | A Year in Space
The first installment of A Year in Space tracks astronaut Scott Kelly’s 12-month mission on the International Space Station, from launch to landing, as NASA charts the effects of long-duration spaceflight by comparing Scott to his identical twin on Earth, fellow astronaut Mark Kelly. Witness the rigors of Scott’s training to live in space for an entire year, while coming to know Scott's family and their collective fears, dreams, stresses, and loves.
Interwoven into the series’ compelling personal story, A Year in Space also delves into the broader historical context of the mission, including the history of space exploration, the political background of the Russian-US relationship, and the science and engineering conundrums posed by interplanetary space travel.
Part Two | Beyond a Year in Space
In Beyond a Year in Space, astronaut Scott Kelly returns to Earth after spending a record-breaking year in outerspace. Now, scientists study Scott to answer pivotal questions: How did space change Scott, and how can we keep future astronauts safe on long journeys to deep space- and beyond?
Jessica Meir & Victor Glover are among the latest class of astronauts on track to becoming the first individuals to travel to Mars. Follow closely as the astronauts of Class 21 face a new set of challenges unlike any other encountered in the space race.
Isolation, extreme amounts of radiation, and the unknown effects of zero gravity on the human body: these are the new dangers facing space-bound humans.
By analyzing the Kelly brothers, NASA hopes to gain a full understanding of the effects of space flight on the body. These advancements will make it possible to send people like Jessica and Victor to Mars, and know that they’ll be healthy when they return.
Beyond A Year in Space traces the steps of human space flight from past to present and beyond- to the future of humanity finding its place in the cosmos.
A Presentation By
Scott Kelly inside the Soyuz TMA-16M spacecraft during the fit check at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, on March 15, 2015.
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Tropical Storm Anna is seen looking south-southeastward from western Virginia towards storm.
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Photographers capture the moment as Scott Kelly, Mikhail Kornienko, and Gennady Padalka begin the Year in Space mission.
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NASA astronaut Scott Kelly captured this interesting image in the station, Cupola.
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NASA astronaut Scott Kelly captured this photograph of the green lights of the aurora from the International Space Station on Oct. 7, 2015.
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The Soyuz TMA-17M spacecraft undocks, carrying crew members Oleg Kononenko, Kjell Lindgren, and Kimiya Yui back to Earth.
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NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took this photo and posted it to social media on April 6, 2015. Kelly wrote, "Australia. You are very beautiful. Thank you for being there to brighten our day. #YearInSpace"
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Expedition 46 Commander Scott Kelly on a Dec. 21, 2015 spacewalk.
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Denmark, Norway, Sweden, Germany and Poland.
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NASA astronaut Scott Kelly shared this photograph on social media, writing,"#Aurora trailing a colorful veil over Earth this morning. Good morning from @space_station! #YearInSpace".
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