The Best Space Documentaries You Can Stream On Netflix

If SpaceX and NASA's historic launch to the international space station has inspired you to learn more about space and how far we've come in our research about this vast universe, you're in luck — there's never been a better time to be alive and interested in the final frontier.

In between streaming Netflix's new Space Force show starring Steve Carell, we recommend gaining some real space knowledge about how our universe formed and how NASA is gearing up to return man — and woman — back to the moon by 2024.

Whether you're into learning about how we first stepped foot on the moon or how astronomers are preparing to land astronauts on Mars in the future, there are some great documentaries about space you can stream here on Earth right now. All you need is a Netflix account — no space boots required. Just remember: in space, no one can hear you stream.

NOVA: Black Hole Apocalypse

Scientists are continually trying to learn more about the elusive and mysterious black holes that make up our universe. In this 2018 documentary you'll learn how black holes form, what's inside of them, and other of the universe's most intriguing unanswered questions.

"This special is a thrilling look at what they can tell us about our understanding of space, time, and gravity—perhaps even the origins our galaxies," NOVA senior executive producer, Paula S. Apsell, told PBS.

The Universe

The 2009 History Channel series takes a look at different aspects of — you guessed it — our universe, such as the life and death of a star, galaxies beyond the Milky Way, secrets of the sun, and more. Mental Floss notes that you only get the first season on Netflix, but it tells you all about how the Earth will eventually meet its end, and all the glorious things a black hole can do to you.

NOVA: Death Dive to Saturn

Go inside and below Saturn's famous planetary rings in this documentary that explores Saturn's atmosphere, which, according to Space, is made up of layers of orange-ish clouds and some of the fastest winds in our solar system.

Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo

We all know about the Apollo astronauts like Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Alan Shepherd that participated in the space race, but what about those who made Apollo possible from here on Earth? This documentary takes a look at the flight controllers and support crew that made the Apollo missions possible.

"We are telling a history that is to some extent familiar, or it's telling a history from a very different perspective, the perspective of the people on the ground who supported astronauts on their immensely dangerous missions," the film's executive producer, Keith Havilan, told Pop Matters in an interview.

The Mars Generation

We've conquered the moon, but astronomers now have their sights set on Mars. The Mars Generation looks at the next generation of young astronauts who have high hopes of traveling to Mars one day. This documentary also stars Neil deGrasse Tyson and Bill Nye.