How is the Entertainment Industry Helping to Spark People’s Interest in Space Travel?
By Space Coast Daily // March 10, 2021
What was once considered to be a topic of science fiction is now a reality. Humanity is expanding its frontier and venturing into space with more frequency than ever before. There are numerous exciting missions taking place at the moment, with the arrival of the Perseverance Rover on Mars representing a landmark event in NASA’s history.
In the next fifty years, there are going to be countless missions, all of which will outdo the one that came before it. For this reason, the need to spark people’s interest in space has never been greater. One of the best ways to do this is through the entertainment industry.
Space on Television
Space travel has been enjoying fairly good representation in television in recent years. Netflix, in particular, has been keen on producing a number of offerings that focus on interplanetary matters.
One of the most notable high budget series is Space Force, a sitcom written by Steve Carrell and Greg Daniels. It first aired in 2020 and there have been ten episodes so far.
It has an all-star cast that features Carrel and John Malkovich, and this was enough to ensure it was renewed for a second season. In terms of critical success, the feedback was mixed.
The blockbuster-style special effects were appreciated, but most reviews said it wasn’t funny. Hopefully, Space Force can get lift off in its sophomore year.
Lost in Space is another recent Netflix title that was met with a warmer response. This reimagining of the 1965 series of the same name first dropped in 2018, and there have been two seasons so far. It has been renewed for a third and final installment which will be aired in 2021.
This is probably one of the best options out there for evoking people’s desire for space exploration, as the series is an adventure into the far reaches of the universe. It helps to remind viewers of the great expanse that exists outside of the Earth’s atmosphere.
Space in Gaming
Space has been a hugely popular theme for game developers ever since the dawn of gaming. Some of the classic arcade machines that came about in the 1980s were focused on space exploration, with Space Invaders being one of the most famous options. There have been some recent games that have served as a great way to stoke people’s interest in interplanetary travel as well.
The slots genre is arguably the best place to find an abundance of space-themed content. Space Bucks, Adventures in Orbit, and Star Slots are three of the free online casino games recommended by VegasSlotsOnline.
There are numerous other options to choose from in sci-fi, along with other genres. Once players have found a game they like the look of, they simply have to click the link to be taken to a site at which they can play it. Online slots present countless options when it comes to getting excited about space. Eager players can also look at details regarding popular providers, and information about mobile play too.
No Man’s Sky is another game that has recently helped players understand the sheer scale of the universe.
The adventure offering from Hello Games is one of the most ambitious titles ever created, as it allows players to visit an almost infinite number of planets. This is because it uses a procedural generation system that can create 18 quintillion possibilities. The game continues to be updated in an effort to keep players engaged.
For mobile, some recent space-themed games that have appealed to a wide audience include Star Traders: Frontier, Galaxy On Fire 2, and N.O.V.A Legacy. It is clear that the gaming industry is doing a lot to help people develop an interest in space travel.
Space in Film
There have been a high number of legendary films set in space, and exploration beyond Earth continues to be a common source of inspiration for filmmakers. Some of the greatest space offerings ever include the Alien franchise, which was started by Ridley Scott in 1979, and Stanley Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey in 1968.
Some notable recent titles set in the outer reaches of the solar system include Alfonso Cuaron’s Gravity in 2013 and Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar in 2014.
Both of these films managed to give viewers a sense of isolation and wonder that can be found in the great expanse of space. Now that humanity is getting closer to setting foot on Mars, it would be reasonable to assume that there will soon be more films released about this phenomenon.
It is fair to say that the entertainment industry is doing a great deal to spark public interest in space travel. Space themes have been ubiquitous in gaming, television, and film for a number of decades now, and will continue to be a popular draw for viewers.