I realize that there are too many shows at this point. Every channel, every streaming service is overflowing with content clamoring for your attention, and there simply aren't enough hours in the day to watch it all. However, with that in mind, may I recommend a new show called Space Live? There is only one episode. The only potential downside is that this episode literally goes on forever.
This is actually inaccurate. Space Live is not a show, it's a channel. It launched on Wednesday morning, hidden on ITVX and consists only of live feeds from Earth from International Space Station. It's interesting to watch, especially for those who haven't realized that a person can be awestruck and bored at the same time.
It is declared to be the first in the world. ITV has partnered with British space media company Sen to use live 4K footage from its own SpaceTV-1 camera system installed on the International Space Station, giving us a view from three cameras: one of the station's docking ports, a view of the horizon capable of showing sunrises and storms, and a camera looking straight down as the ISS passes through planet. A tracker in the corner of the screen shows the current location of the ISS, and a real-time AI information feed provides facts about our geography and weather systems.
Of course, if you want to be picky, you could argue that this isn't exactly new. NASA's YouTube channel has been broadcasting live broadcasts from the ISS for many years and consistently attracts an audience of several thousand people. But Space Live is at least a little more attractive. The footage is better, of course: at 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, Space Live showed stunning images of the sun's glare reflecting off the sea around the Bay of Biscay, while everyone NASA I could offer a piece of fabric with the word “Flap” written on it. There's even a soundtrack, constant, soothing music that loops and loops but never becomes completely annoying. In other words, it's an improvement.
And, at least on the first turn, it is simply mesmerizing. While this doesn't quite have the overview effect – the cognitive shift felt by those who see Earth from space, leading to new views of humanity and its place in the universe – it is still extremely humbling to see how small the planet is. The time it took the ISS to travel from southeast England (where I am) to war-torn Ukraine could be counted in seconds. And then further through Asia towards Australia. In fact, there is little that separates us.
Inevitably, as the station crosses the Earth, drifting endlessly between sunrise and sunset, your thoughts turn to the people you know, wherever they are. There's something palpably comforting about it.
However, God knows that it is impossible to remain in awe forever. It's the same with Space Live. Eventually, the magic of technology, promise, and the beauty of our planet begins to fade, and the experience becomes something like a map that you end up looking at on a flight when you've run out of movies to watch. Your attention starts to wander and you realize that ITVX has other live channels to watch. One of them just shows Love Island. Another just shows Christmas movies. And then you have a hard time realizing that the majesty of the only home we've ever known spinning silently in space has become just another content option alongside whatever ITV channel is showing American Ninja Warrior Jr.
But even if you don't watch it all the time, it's nice to know that Space Live exists. It's not something you'd imagine on the big screen in pubs – unless people actually start talking “Uuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu himself himself)) – but as what can be seen in the background, it's undeniably calms down. I imagine that for a few devotees, this channel will be something they silently continue through their day.
And sure, that may not be why humanity first decided to make the miraculous achievement of escaping the surly shackles of Earth – you'll remember that Neil Armstrong pointedly didn't say, “That's one small step for a man, one giant leap for the screensaver industry” – but as an idea, Space Live can't be faulted. I may not use it all the time, but whenever I need a reminder of who we are and how little separates us, I guarantee it will be my first stop.
