Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (2023) Documentary Review – A foray behind the scenes of NASA’s most powerful telescope

A foray behind the scenes of NASA’s most powerful telescope

Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine takes you on a journey through the field of space exploration. The fourth part of Netflix’s ‘Unknown’ series, this documentary follows the making and launch of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST). It does a good job of highlighting the technological advancements that make the JWST possible. With easy-to-follow diagrams and imagery, it seamlessly explains the technology behind exploring space.

Viewers are introduced to the concept that this cutting-edge instrument acts as a time machine, enabling scientists to observe light from 13.8 billion years ago—the very first light of the universe. This unprecedented ability allows scientists to peer back in time and witness the formation of galaxies shortly after the Big Bang.

One of the documentary’s most compelling aspects is the spotlight on the colossal effort required to create and launch the JWST. With thousands of people involved in its development over literal decades, Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine underscores the immense dedication, time, and resources invested in this endeavour.

This is the real takeaway from this Netflix documentary film — that what is just a headline in our lives is actually a massive achievement for the species as a whole and more often than not, we don’t realise it. Throughout the movie, the high stakes are palpable.

The documentary effectively conveys the risks of the project by highlighting its single-point failures. A single-point failure is when the failure of a single component could lead to the failure of the entire system. The JWST had about 344 of these. By focusing on this aspect of the mission, the documentary really amps up the tension all those scientists must have been feeling. After all, even one misfire could send decades of work and billions of dollars down the drain.

Undoubtedly, what sets Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine apart is its human touch. The documentary really captures the passion, hopes, and dreams of the people behind the JWST project. It allows us to witness not only the enormous effort but also the personal stakes invested in the telescope.

It’s not just a machine as much as the physical embodiment of the shared aspiration for a better understanding of the universe. Simple human curiosity. And the film does it all without ever seeming too dramatic. Visually striking and clear in its explanations, the documentary does an admirable job of providing information while also making us appreciate all the people working behind the scenes. Overall, this is really intriguing.

And while the subject matter is highly significant, the documentary does lean more toward the technical aspects of space exploration than the cosmic wonders it reveals. As a result, the only downside is that it may appeal to a specific audience — one that is specifically interested in the technological journey of the JWST. So, if you’re going to watch this, expect more about mirrors and levers and latches than planets and stars. But it’s a great ride, nonetheless.

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