Hollywood taps Central Florida space program to depict the future of life in space

Jack DeMarco
·2 min read
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Hollywood taps Blue Origin to depict the future of life in space for a new film set to begin filming in 2023.

The announcement was made at this year’s 73rd International Astronautical Congress.

According to a news release, the film, set in 2030, will tell the story of a spaceship, the HELIOS, and its crew during their urgent mission to the International Space Station.

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After a massive solar flare hits the station, it is up to astronomer and former NASA astronaut Jess Denver and Air Force Colonel Sam Adler to team up and save humanity.

“We teamed up with Blue Origin to give moviegoers a thrilling, but realistic depiction of the future of living and working in space and a coordinated response to a space weather emergency,” HELIOS writer Patricia A. Beninati said.

Throughout the movie, Orbital Reef is featured as the latest-generation space station used as a critical resource by the HELIOS crew.

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“In an era where science fiction films are abundant, we decided early on that we wanted to make a film that was authentic in technology and demonstrates true solutions available to humanity in such a time of crisis,” HELIOS producer John Lewis said.

Orbital Reef is a commercially developed, owned and operated space station to be built in low Earth orbit. This unique destination will provide the essential infrastructure needed to scale economic activity and open new markets in space, including tourism, entertainment, research and manufacturing.

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“We are thrilled the HELIOS movie team chose Orbital Reef to represent a real space destination in this production,” said Brent Sherwood, senior vice president of Blue Origin. “Our mission is to benefit Earth by opening the solar system. Together with our partners, we’re building Orbital Reef as the basis of a vibrant human space ecosystem.”

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“Orbital Reef bridged the gap we needed between science fiction and reality. I’m proud HELIOS will showcase what is realistically feasible and possible with technology that our industry is developing in space, providing continued benefits for all humankind,” executive producer Robert Feierbach said.

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