Washington, D.C. — NASA is set to pioneer a new era of public engagement by hosting its first-ever Twitch-exclusive livestream directly from the International Space Station (ISS) on February 12th at 11:45 AM ET. The event, broadcast on NASA’s Twitch channel, will feature a rare dual perspective from space and Earth, with current ISS astronaut Don Pettit and recently returned astronaut Matt Dominick discussing life in orbit and groundbreaking microgravity research.
Event Highlights
- Live Interaction: Viewers can submit questions via Twitch chat for real-time answers from the astronauts.
- Behind-the-Scenes Insights: Pettit will showcase daily routines aboard the ISS, while Dominick reflects on his October 2023 mission.
- Science Demos: Expect live demonstrations of experiments only possible in microgravity, from fluid dynamics to materials science.
Why Twitch?
The stream marks NASA’s strategic push to connect with younger, digitally native audiences. As part of this initiative, the agency consulted creators at TwitchCon 2023 to tailor content to community preferences. “This isn’t just a one-off,” said Brittany Brown, NASA’s Director of Digital Communications. “We’re designing streams specifically for Twitch’s interactive audience—think exclusive content beyond our standard launch or spacewalk coverage.”
Meet the Astronauts
- Don Pettit: A veteran of three ISS expeditions, Pettit is renowned for his “Saturday Morning Science” experiments, which went viral during earlier missions.
- Matt Dominick: Fresh from a six-month stint on the ISS, Dominick will provide a post-mission perspective on adapting to Earth’s gravity.
The Bigger Picture
NASA’s Twitch pivot reflects broader trends in science communication:
- Democratizing Access: By streaming on a platform popular with gamers and Gen Z, NASA aims to make space exploration relatable to nontraditional audiences.
- Educational Synergy: The agency plans to partner with STEM educators and Twitch creators to develop curriculum-aligned content.
- Future Streams: Brown teased upcoming Twitch events tied to major milestones, including the Artemis II lunar flyby and Mars Sample Return mission.
How to Watch
- Platform: NASA’s Twitch channel
- Prep Tips: Create a free Twitch account to participate in chats. Submit questions early using #AskNASA on social media.
Why It Matters
With over 31 million Twitch daily viewers, NASA’s move signals a recognition that the future of public outreach lies in meeting audiences where they are—even if that means floating a camera into space while gamers chat about black holes. As Dominick noted in a pre-event statement: “If 14-year-old me could’ve lobbed questions at astronauts on Twitch, I’d have lost my mind. Now we’re paying that forward.”
