Huge new NASA Netflix update is going to affect 700,000,000 users worldwide
Netflix is getting a new content update thanks to a deal it has struck with NASA where it will host their footage.
Did you know that NASA had a streaming platform? It's called NASA+, and it's got a bunch of the space agency's content which you can watch along with at home.
Rebecca Sirmons, NASA+'s general manager, said it was all part of their remit to get as many eyeballs on their work in the field of space exploration.
She said: "The National Aeronautics and Space Act of 1958 calls on us to share our story of space exploration with the broadest possible audience.
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"Together, we’re committed to a Golden Age of Innovation and Exploration – inspiring new generations – right from the comfort of their couch or in the palm of their hand from their phone."
Starting this summer, Netflix subscribers will be able to watch live streams of rocket launches and spacewalks, with the streaming platform's around 700 million viewers having a chance to see what's going on beyond the confines of the Earth.
You'll also be able to see mission coverage and views of our planet from the International Space Station.
If you can't go up into space yourself then at least you can get a good look at what's going on up there. NASA+ launched back in 2023, but anything that brings it to a wider audience is good for space.
It won't cost Netflix users any more and will be available for all subscribers.
Of course, if you're not a Netflix subscriber then you'll still be able to watch everything NASA+ has to offer, it's just that for those who are subscribed you will have an easier time of accessing the content.
More people looking at what NASA is doing can surely only be good for the space agency, particularly as it is facing some serious budget cuts in measures proposed by US President Donald Trump.
According to Space, the Trump administration plans to cut NASA's budget by about a quarter, down from $24.8 billion (£18.6 billion) to $18.8 billion (£13.69).
This would result in mission cancellations and almost a third of NASA staff being laid off, representing the biggest ever annual cut in NASA's budget.
They add that some of the projects, which aren't up for being cancelled, are still going to be struggling in the financial department, as the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will be allocated less than half of what NASA hoped for in funding.
The Planetary Society, a non-profit group which favours space exploration, slammed budget cuts as a 'radical and rapid gutting of NASA's resources.'
They really weren't a fan of the budget cuts, saying it represented 'an extinction-level event for the space agency’s most productive, successful and broadly supported activity: science.'
Ouch.
Joe Harker