The movie event of the year is finally upon us with the premiere of Star Wars: The Last Jedi, which hit the States and London this week. Rian Johnson's film is set to take the worldwide box office by storm as many brave the cold to see the return of Luke Skywalker and have questions about Rey and Snoke answered. But not everyone can make it to their local theater. For some astronauts, that's because they're roughly 250 miles away from their local theater, orbiting the Earth in the International Space Station. Despite that, our planet's most intrepid adventurers will not be denied the cinematic pleasures of the latest in the Star Wars saga. In fact, the crew aboard the ISS will be getting their own screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi.
As confirmed by spaceflight reporter Robin Seemangal on Twitter, Disney and NASA will be making a screening of Star Wars: The Last Jedi happen for the crew on the International Space Station. While the astronauts won't have the benefit of a modern presentation with pristine projection and immersive surround soundit doesn't get much cooler than watching Star Wars while in space. Just because these people are pushing the boundaries of scientific discovery while working in an extremely cramped space doesn't mean they should be denied some downtime to relax. There's not a lot to do up there and the boredom has to be incredible. Taking a break from pondering the mysteries of our universe to contemplate the questions of a galaxy far, far away has got to be cause for celebration.
Fortunately, the team aboard the ISS should be able to avoid spoilers until they see the film. They've got plenty of science and floating to do until they get their screening, after all. When other people have seen a movie and you don't want it spoiled the best policy is to get as far away from them as possible, lest they slip, and it doesn't get much farther away than space. The internet speeds aboard the space station are super slow too so I can't imagine they're using a lot of social media or doing a ton of surfing. Down here on Earth it's a bloody minefield. Can I click this article; watch this video, read these comments?
This isn't the first time that Star Wars got screened for the ISS crew. The Force Awakens was also screened aboard the station. It just goes to show how important the cultural phenomenon of Star Wars is that the space station crew would not have to wait until they get home to see the film. While the crew aboard the International Space Station anxiously awaits the upcoming screening, those of us trapped on this planet can see Star Wars: The Last Jedi when it hits theaters this weekend. Take a look at our review before you pre-order your tickets to see the film.
