I understand that “business documentary” might sound unappealing, but let me assure you this isn’t boring at all. The film follows three US-based "new space" start-up companies, and some of the people involved are so engaging they feel like characters in a fictional story rather than participants in a real-life documentary. Ashlee Vance, a business journalist who wrote a book about these new space companies, began filming and interviewing executives and academics in the space and rocket sectors around the same time. Reading his book beforehand isn't essential; you might even enjoy it more without that prior knowledge, as some details are revealed within the documentary itself. Vance is also briefly featured in the film. He’s known for writing a biography of Elon Musk, who founded SpaceX, one of the first private space companies in the Western world. While SpaceX and other pioneering rocket companies led by billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Paul Allen, and Richard Branson are mentioned, the documentary primarily focuses on lesser-known entrepreneurs. These ambitious individuals followed in their footsteps, attempting to launch space ventures with external funding – a process that typically requires billions of dollars before any chance of profitability. As repeatedly stated throughout the film, "Space is (very) hard," referring to both technological and financial challenges. Vance’s project initially intended to be a series was ultimately condensed into one documentary after his funds ran low. He then received assistance from experienced filmmakers, including Ross Kauffman, who has an Academy Award for Best Documentary. They advised him to concentrate on just a few companies. Therefore, "Who Will Control Our Skies?" closely examines Astra, Planet Labs, and Rocket Lab, with a particular emphasis on the CEOs of each company. This focused approach creates a stronger emotional connection for viewers, bringing the main characters to life. The contrasting personalities and business strategies of two CEOs—Chris Kemp of Astra and Peter Beck of Rocket Lab—alone make it worth watching. The documentary provides detailed insights into all three companies, including access to investor calls, rocket launch sequences inside mission control rooms (showcasing both successes and setbacks), and even their IPOs on the stock market. It chronicles a journey from humble beginnings – bedrooms and garage operations – to securing billions in funding, taking over government launchpads, and employing hundreds of people; a true rags-to-riches story, occasionally punctuated by reversals ("Space is hard...remember"). I’ve rarely seen business documentaries offering such intimate access over an extended period (covering the companies from roughly 2016/2017 until early 2024, incorporating older material). It illustrates a shift in control of space and rockets away from national governments, bureaucratic organizations like NASA, and their established suppliers—like Boeing and Lockheed Martin—towards ambitious, agile start-ups that often challenge existing regulations. These changes will have implications for safety, national security, and privacy. Satellite constellations already significantly impact our daily lives, influencing everything from GPS navigation to emergency communications and weather forecasting. The documentary’s title is fitting; space has become a “Wild Wild Space,” resembling a "land grab" in the 21st century, now open for business beyond just billionaires or powerful nation states. The film is eye-opening, suggesting we are only at the very beginning of this new era. As of 2024, the private space sector may be comparable to the early days of the Internet/WWW around 1994. I rate it an 8 out of 10 for general audiences and a 9 out of 10 for those interested in space and rockets. My only minor criticism is that the documentary feels somewhat US-centric; including start-ups from Asia or Europe would have highlighted the global nature of space exploration. Perhaps a sequel could focus on private space efforts on other continents.

Source on TMDB