ISS Movie Night: 'Lightyear' To Be 'Beamed Up' For Astronauts In Orbit

The crew aboard the International Space Station (ISS) won't miss their chance to watch "Lightyear," as the film will be "beamed up" for a special screening in orbit.

Lightyear is the "definitive origin story of Buzz Lightyear," depicting the Space Ranger's "out-of-this-world" adventure, according to The Walt Disney Company. Although the movie is currently screening here on Earth, real-life space explorers "living and working" aboard the ISS won't have to wait until they return home to watch it because NASA has ensured they can watch it during their free time, the space agency shared in a news release.

"NASA also will facilitate a space-to-ground conversation between the crew and stars, participate in red carpet activities, and more," the agency noted Saturday.

The agency collaborated with the Lightyear team to bring the movie to life. NASA Astronaut Tom Marshburn consulted during the production, while the Lightyear team also participated in a "comprehensive, multi-day exploration" of Johnson Space Center in Houston, producer Galyn Susman said, as per The Walt Disney Company. There, they got to talk to astronauts, learn about space suits, and even got a "crash course on space travel."

"Animators and artists on Lightyear used more than 3,000 images and footage assets to help create the cinematic universe seen throughout the film," NASA's Hollywood liaison, Bert Ulrich, said in the NASA news release. "They also received an up close and personal view of space through the eyes of a NASA astronaut who served as a technical consultant on the film."

According to the agency, such collaborations help to inspire the Artemis generation of explorers. Last Friday, for instance, Vice President Kamala Harris hosted a STEM event with fourth to eighth-grade students, which included a special viewing of Lightyear and various STEM activities. Some NASA astronauts also answered questions about the time they spent in space.

"Collaboration on films like this one helps NASA inspire the Artemis Generation as we prepare for human exploration of the Moon and Mars," Marshburn said in the NASA news release. "In doing outreach related to the science that inspired scenes in the film, this provides a springboard to share NASA content with a diverse audience of all ages."