NASA will be hosting its first-ever Twitch stream from the International Space Station (ISS) next week. The National Aeronautics and Space Administration made the announcement via its official X (formerly Twitter) account, and shared some details on what viewers can expect from the stream.
“This Twitch event from space is the first of many,” said Brittany Brown, who directs NASA’s Office of Communications Digital and Technology Division. “We spoke with digital creators at TwitchCon about their desire for streams designed with their communities in mind, and we listened. In addition to our spacewalks, launches, and landings, we’ll host more Twitch-exclusive streams like this one. Twitch is one of the many digital platforms we use to reach new audiences and get them excited about all things space.”
The stream itself will take place on the ISS–roughly 250 miles above Earth’s surface–and will feature appearances from NASA astronauts Don Pettit (who is currently aboard the ISS) and Matt Dominick (who recently returned to Earth after participating in NASA’s Crew-8 mission). The spacefaring duo will discuss topics like daily life aboard the ISS and the microgravity experiments currently being performed on board, while also highlighting “ways for Twitch users to engage with NASA, including citizen science projects and science, technology, engineering, and math programs designed to inspire the Artemis Generation.”
The Artemis Generation refers to the astronauts who will explore Earth’s moon as a part of NASA’s Artemis Program.
“We will collaborate with commercial and international partners and establish the first long-term presence on the Moon,” the official Artemis Program website reads. “NASA will land the first woman, first person of color, and first international partner astronaut on the Moon using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.”
This isn’t the first time NASA has conducted a Twitch livestream, nor is it the first time the agency has broadcast a livestream from the ISS. But according to the official NASA website, “This conversation will be the first NASA event [livestreamed] from the International Space Station developed specifically for the agency’s Twitch platform.”
The stream will take place on NASA’s Twitch channel on Wednesday, February 12 at 8:45 AM PT / 11:45 AM ET.