‘Untamed Cosmos’ Documentary Explores Perils and Competitions of the Modern Space Race

As Astra’s CEO Chris Kemp maneuvers the car from the parking spot, he reveals to his passenger the daring current state of affairs: lacking a driver’s license, operating an unregistered vehicle, and cruising without insurance coverage. “We’re venturing into some risky territory,” he admits.

The scene sets the stage for “Wild Wild Space,” an intriguing HBO documentary by Ross Kauffman, slated for release on July 17. The film draws inspiration from Ashlee Vance’s 2023 revelation, “When the Heavens Went on Sale,” diving into the initiation phase of the contemporary space contest through the lens of three vibrant entities: Rocket Lab, Astra, and the Earth-imaging venture, Planet Labs.

Though not as widely recognized as Elon Musk’s SpaceX, these entities have nonetheless secured upwards of a billion dollars in funding. The founders personify the diverse characters drawn to the allure and peril of the burgeoning NewSpace sector.

Planet’s journey from NASA to startup is now a classic narrative within the space arena, dating back to 2010; Rocket Lab’s tale recounts a New Zealand underdog-turned-visionary’s triumph; and Astra’s story radiates with the undeniable charm and savvy typical of Silicon Valley ethos. Before their paths diverged, Astra’s Kemp and Planet’s Will Marshall shared collegiate bonds, with Kemp playing a pivotal role in brokering a launch arrangement between Planet and Rocket Lab, subsequently setting the stage for his Astra venture. Despite their varying degrees of success, with Rocket Lab and Planet achieving significant milestones whereas Astra encountered numerous challenges.

In 2021, the trio achieved landmark public listings, boasting multi-billion-dollar valuations, though the documentary leaves it ambiguous how they navigate their journeys post-IPO with differing success levels. It subtly hints at Astra’s strategy of leveraging Kemp’s magnetic personality to compensate for technological shortcomings. Kemp is depicted skillfully navigating investor relations and public perceptions, notably spinning the disastrous explosion of Rocket 2 in 2018 into a narrative of a “beautiful flight,” despite the mission’s abrupt end.

The documentary also delves into the competitive dynamics between Beck and Kemp, initially presented as competitors in the rocket launch market with contrasting visions for their companies. Beck’s criticism of Astra’s approach, aiming for affordability at the expense of quality, underscores this rivalry.

Expanding beyond these three narratives, the film prompts reflection on broader themes about the space economy’s shift from government to private sector dominion. It questions the ethical dimensions related to privacy and the geopolitical ramifications of commoditizing Earth Observation (EO) data, using Planet’s mission and the geopolitical context of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as illustrative points. The documentary hints at a pivotal moment in history where space exploration’s future is increasingly shaped by private innovators and disruptors.

This exploration, while highlighting the profound impact of these trailblazers, only scratches the surface of the complex implications their endeavours have for global security, privacy, and the new frontiers of space commercialization. Despite its occasional divergences, the film effectively showcases the stories of Planet, Rocket Lab, and Astra as emblematic of the audacity, innovation, and a touch of madness that epitomizes the modern space industry.