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Deep Dive: First Orbit (2014)

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First Orbit
First Orbit is a feature-length documentary that recreates the view from Vostok 1, the first human space flight, using footage filmed from the International Space Station (ISS). Filmmaker Christopher Riley and astronaut Paolo Nespoli matched the ISS's orbit to that of Yuri Gagarin's 1961 flight, capturing the same ground track and time of day. The film combines this new footage with original audio recordings from the Vostok 1 mission, sourced from the Russian State Archive of Scientific and Technical Documentation. The production faced significant challenges, including the need to film at specific times that aligned with Gagarin's original flight path. The ISS orbits the Earth every 90 minutes, but the exact trajectory Gagarin took could only be filmed approximately every six weeks. The filmmakers coordinated with ESA mission directors to fit the filming into the busy schedule of the ISS crew, making this documentary a unique blend of historical recreation and modern technology.

Why Watch

  • •See Yuri Gagarin's original view from space
  • •Meet astronaut Paolo Nespoli on the ISS
  • •Find out how they matched Gagarin's flight path

Did You Know

•The ISS covers a similar ground track to Vostok 1 once a week.
•Filming opportunities for the exact trajectory occurred every six weeks.
•The film premiered online and opened on over 1600 screens in 130 countries.
•The producers launched a campaign that resulted in translations into 30 languages.

Perfect For

Space exploration enthusiastsHistory buffsDocumentary lovers