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Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine

  • 2023
  • 1h 4m
IMDb RATING
7.2/10
3.1K
YOUR RATING
Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine (2023)
Follows a team of engineers and scientists in an ambitious mission to launch the James Webb Space Telescope and take the next giant leap in the understanding of the universe.
Play trailer1:32
1 Video
13 Photos
Documentary

Follows a team of engineers and scientists in an ambitious mission to launch the James Webb Space Telescope and take the next giant leap in the understanding of the universe.Follows a team of engineers and scientists in an ambitious mission to launch the James Webb Space Telescope and take the next giant leap in the understanding of the universe.Follows a team of engineers and scientists in an ambitious mission to launch the James Webb Space Telescope and take the next giant leap in the understanding of the universe.

  • Director
    • Shai Gal
  • Stars
    • Joe Biden
    • Amber Straughn
    • Scarlin Hernandez
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.2/10
    3.1K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Shai Gal
    • Stars
      • Joe Biden
      • Amber Straughn
      • Scarlin Hernandez
    • 20User reviews
    • 9Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Official Trailer
    Trailer 1:32
    Official Trailer

    Photos13

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    Top cast25

    Edit
    Joe Biden
    Joe Biden
    • Self - President of the United States
    Amber Straughn
    • Self - Astrophysicist at NASA
    Scarlin Hernandez
    Scarlin Hernandez
    • Self - Spacecraft Engineer
    Becky Smethurst
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Stefano Facchini
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Mike Menzel
    • Self - Lead Engineer
    Sierra Casten
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Thomas Zurbuchen
    • Self - Head of Science Programs NASA
    Alyssa Pagan
    • Self - Science Visuals Developer
    Dan Coe
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Klaus Pontoppidan
    • Self - James Webb Project Scientist
    Bill Nelson
    • Self - NASA Administrator
    Joseph DePasquale
    • Self - Senior Science Visuals Developer
    Saurabh Jha
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Peter Abraham
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Lisa Dang
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    Cathy Menzel
    • Self - Mike's Wife
    Yao-Lun Yang
    • Self - Astrophysicist
    • Director
      • Shai Gal
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews20

    7.23.1K
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    Featured reviews

    10alangageler

    A story of human endeavour (not the cosmos)

    This isn't about the wonderful discoveries that JWST have delivered but instead the brilliant scientists and engineers who delivered the JWST. Stories of unsung heroes, many of whom have dedicated over 30 years of their lives to pull off the near impossible. In a world that is ever increasing reliant on technology but equally contaminated by people who disrespect expertise, this is a much needed reminder that we owe a great debt to people who not only know their stuff but who also put in the hard, gruelling yards to deliver. If you want to explore what JWST has done for cosmology, I thoroughly recommend Brian Greene's recent World Science Festival interviews.
    6jerry-32590

    Too long winded but some good info

    Why do women always begin something by saying 'when I was a little girl.....'? Or something about "me"? The personal stories of people involved in James webb are irrelevant. Maybe a few seconds would be enough, and not tens of minutes. The James Webb project was the reason to watch the show. While the telescope did end up extremely exciting and it's changing our views about the age of the universe and possibly the Big Bang theory, the show is quite boring and slow. While the woman scientist (or engineer?) was focused on herself and her emotions and experiences on the projects, the guys talked mostly about the project.
    tommy-huynh

    Missed a huge opportunity

    So much potential here. They could have used this documentary as an opportunity to educate the public about the amazing science behind JWST, instead they focused most of the documentary on forced drama as if it were another brainless reality TV show. Topics they could have covered to better illustrate and educate the magic:

    What is red shifting and tangible explanations on why the JWST is needed over the Hubble.

    The groundbreaking use of beryllium for the mirrors and why the element was selected for its unusual properties at cryogenic temperatures.

    The cryo coolers and how their novel design allows it to cool the instruments down to near absolute zero.

    The damaged mirror and how the JWST is able to overcome it.

    The unusual approach of physically deforming the mirror to focus the image.

    Etc etc.... Could have been great but instead they took a story about one of the greatest scientific achievements in human history and chose to dumb it down to nearly worthless drivel.
    7beno-11

    Wasted message

    This documentary spent over 1 hour talking about the things that could have gone wrong about the launch of the greatest and most complicated space research project ever. Such shame. JWST is the most amazing and complex piece of engineering we ever produced and successfully launched into space. Yes, lots of things could have gone wrong, but they didn't. Unknown: The Cosmic Time Machine won't spend any time highlighting the astonishing, breakthrough technology and science that went into the making of JWST. You won't learn much about the stunning pictures it takes, why we needed it to begin with. Nothing is said about the main point of this project; how seeing the images from the beginning of time help us understand who we are, and perhaps, why we are here.
    5benft

    "OMG I cant bulllleeve..."

    Half of it was interesting science and tech and beautiful imagery, the other half feelgoody blather about personal details and mini-bios of people involved.

    The early development and various designs was glossed over by a guy petting his dog going through wrinkled papers on the dining-room table. Should have been more about why it uses infrared light and red-shifting of distant galaxies, why the Arianespace base in in south america. And so on.

    The worst parts were the segments with the airheaded valley girl types on the phone screens jumping up and down saying "Ohmygod" "yay" etc. Gag me.........

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    Storyline

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    Did you know

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    • Quotes

      Self - Lead Engineer: Any successful mission systems engineer who doesn't think there was luck involved is either a fool or a liar.

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    FAQ12

    • How long is Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • July 24, 2023 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • Netflix Site
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Bilinmeyenler: Kozmik Zaman Makinesi
    • Production companies
      • Story Syndicate
      • Netflix
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 4m(64 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Dolby Digital

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