“Wild Wild Space”: HBO Premieres Documentary On Rocket Companies Rivalry Based On Ashlee Vance Book

On 17 July 2024, the anticipated world premiere of a new space documentary, “Wild Wild Space,” is set to hit screens. The movie will highlight the fierce competition between Chris Kemp and Peter Beck, pioneering founders of rival rocket companies.

Recently, on 8 July, Ashlee Vance, the producer of the new movie and author of the book it’s based on, ‘When the Heavens Went On Sale‘, shared the release news along with the trailer on X.

While the world is waiting for the premiere, our article will explore the plot of this film, the story behind its creation, and what modern space exploration details it will reveal.

“Wild Wild Space” Movie Details

Genre: Documentary

Release date: 17th July, 2024 

Country of origin: United States

Language: English

Production companies: Amblin Entertainment, HBO, Documentary Films, Hyperobject Industries

Director: Ross Kauffman

Producers: Jaye Callahan, Ashlee Vance, Justin Falvey, Darryl Frank, Adam McKay, Todd Schulman, Christopher Collins, Lydia Tenaglia, Craig H. Shepherd

Stars: Chris Kemp, Will Marshall, Robbie Schingler

The Storyline of “Wild Wild Space”

According to IMBd, the documentary highlights the heated competition between Chris Kemp and Peter Beck, founders of competing rocket companies. Their goal isn’t just to outdo each other but also to challenge Elon Musk’s dominance in the space industry and secure big market shares. Through their ups and downs, Kemp and Beck lead a new era of space exploration in Low Earth Orbit and beyond. The tension rises as they rush to launch commercial satellites for top clients like Planet Labs, aiming to change the future of space, one launch at a time.

“Less than a hundred miles above us lies Low Earth Orbit, some of the most valuable space in the universe,” the movie description on IMBd says. “It’s like an extraterrestrial frontier, where visionaries, inventors, and business leaders are racing to shape the future. This area is bustling with activity, from spaceports on Earth’s edge to communities adapting to new technologies. “Wild Wild Space” immerses viewers in this unfamiliar realm, showing the intense competition and innovation driving its development.”

Exploring Satellites’ Role In Controlling Space

In addition, the film explores the various roles that satellites play in space exploration, from monitoring the environment to conducting government surveillance and military operations. It also raises ethical questions about these new technologies, for example, the increasing problem of space debris in Earth’s orbit. Ultimately, the documentary underscores how satellites symbolize control over space and may shape humanity’s future path.

Chris Kemp And Peter Beck’s Parts

For the context, Chris Kemp is the founder and CEO of Astra, a company focused on small satellite launch services. Kemp’s background includes serving as the Chief Technology Officer of NASA, where he led initiatives to modernize and commercialize the agency’s space technology.

In turn, Peter Beck is the founder and CEO of Rocket Lab. Rocket Lab specializes in providing launch services for small satellites and has garnered attention for its innovative Electron rocket. Beck, originally from New Zealand, has been instrumental in advancing the capabilities of small satellite launches, aiming to make access to space more frequent and affordable.

Ashley Vance

Ashlee Vance is an American business columnist and author focusing on technology, entrepreneurs, and innovation in the tech industry. Vance has written for various prestigious publications, including The New York Times, The Register, and Bloomberg Businessweek. He is particularly renowned for his biography of Elon Musk, titled “Elon Musk: Tesla, SpaceX, and the Quest for a Fantastic Future,” published in 2015.

Vance’s Book “When The Heavens Went On Sale”

The film “Wild Wild Space” is based on Ashlee Vance’s New York Times best-selling book “When The Heavens Went On Sale.” It explores how Elon Musk’s SpaceX made history in 2008 by launching the Falcon 1 rocket, becoming the first private company to create an affordable rocket capable of reaching orbit. Additionally, Vance’s book follows companies like Astra, Firefly, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab as they develop new space technologies to launch thousands of satellites and rockets into orbit. These ventures aim to make space travel faster and cheaper, transforming Earth’s lower orbit into a hub for new technologies that connect and monitor our planet.

By the way, to dive deeper into this book and get a more personalized view, read our article. 

The upcoming premiere promises to be curious for space enthusiasts and shed light on commercial space exploration. So, we highly recommend you add the “Wild Wild Space” movie to your “Watch in July” list!