A new documentary showcasing the U.S. Space Force’s mission to protect America’s space assets will premiere May 2 at the Emerald Coast Science Center, coinciding with National Space Day.
- The 12-minute film, “Always Above,” examines how modern life depends on thousands of satellites orbiting Earth and highlights the Space Force’s role in launching, operating and defending these assets.
“Space has always been a source of wonder and immense interest for the American people, but the new challenges we face, and the extent to which our daily lives now rely on the domain, require us to think about it differently,” said U.S. Space Force Chief of Space Operations General Chance Saltzman.
The documentary emphasizes space’s proximity to everyday life, noting that space officially begins just 62 miles above sea level. It explores different types of satellites and the three main orbits they travel in while explaining how space-based assets enable communication, shopping, weather tracking and navigation.
- Chief Master Sergeant of the Space Force John Bentivegna called the film “an outstanding example of how we can inspire and educate the next generation of innovators, problem solvers and dreamers about the critical role space plays in our daily lives.”
The film comes as the space economy grows faster than global GDP, with 259 successful launches in 2024 and more than 5,582 U.S.-based, space-related companies currently operating.
Additional screenings are scheduled for May 3 and May 10, with more dates to be announced. The documentary is free with general admission to the museum.
Produced by Scholar and GSD&M for the U.S. Space Force and distributed by BIG & Digital, LLC, “Always Above” aims to be an educational experience for all ages. More information and showtimes are available at ecscience.org/events.
