CASIS Is Doing a Reality TV Show in Space (Confusing Update)
International Space Station Reality Series In Works From Znak&Jones, Deadline
“Znak&Jones, the recently launched production company of veteran reality producers Natalka Znak and Simon Jones, has partnered with the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space the organization selected by NASA to oversee research onboard the International Space Station U.S. National Laboratory with the goal of enhancing the health and well-being of people and the planet to develop programs centered around the ISS.”
Keith’s 13 Jan note: Of course, CASIS makes no mention of this on their website. Really – why bother? Its only a huge facility we all paid $60-100 billion to build. I wonder if the “reality” aspect of this show will portray the dysfunctional relationship that CASIS, NASA HQ, JSC, and other parts of the agency endure as they stumble to use this amazing on-orbit facility. As best as I can determine, no one at NASA knows anything about this.
Keith’s 14 Jan update: According to Patrick O’Neill, in a response to NASAWatch: “Thanks for the note. At this juncture, while it is accurate to say that CASIS is exploring the possibility of developing content promoting the research opportunities that exist on the ISS U.S. National Laboratory, no deal is in place with a network or cable outlet. Talks are still in the preliminary stages. Should a partnership to showcase the ISS become solidified, CASIS will provide the public with as much detail as possible regarding any content generating project.”
Summary: Znak&Jones say that they have partnered with CASIS. CASIS says they have no partnership. And no one at NASA knows anything about the Znak&Jones/CASIS thing.
Here is a link to the late Late show episode last night with Seth Green hyping his CASIS patch. Alas, CASIS doesn’t seem to want (or know how) to promote the link on its website. Slide to 16:27 and wait for 500 commercials to air. Larger view.
CASIS is nowhere close to meeting the fundraising goals it is supposed to have met by now. Instead of focusing all of its efforts on ISS research (Nanoracks is the one good thing that has emerged) CASIS stumbles around with golf company endorsements and PR stunts that, however well-intentioned, never seem to go quite right.
And the added value of CASIS is … ?
I seem to recall as part of my job search in the space industry having applied for the position of Director of Communications & Outreach at CASIS, back in late 2013?
A review of the website gives no indication that there is any such position there, and they aren’t advertising any openings at the moment. Perhaps CASIS needs to rethink its strategy with regards to having a point person for communications and outreach.
Either they have no one and they should or they have someone but they do not do their job. I think its a combination of both. CASIS often finds itself recreating NASA’s bad habits – starting with EPO.
Amazing that 30 years into this $100 billion program neither NASA nor CASIS have a clue of how to get users on board. How many times has NASA had to figure this out: Skylab, Shuttle, Spacelab, Spacehab, Mir, and now ISS and its like they are starting from zero base knowledge, whether how to market the capability or even to do the technical integration. These people are clueless!!! .
You fool! Now we may never know if ants can be trained to sort tiny screws in space.
I was too busy protecting the queen.
My speculation about this: it just looks like a bit of “government speak” — probably accurate, but uninformatively oblique. Namely, it looks like there is an agreement in place with the named production company, and that production company is trying to get a deal with a cable outlet or network, probably pitching different ideas for a program. However, at present there is no deal with a network or a cable outlet, and as a result there is no specific project at this time. So, both statements are true (just concerning different aspects of the topic).
i don’t see any confusion. both sides are saying the same thing, that it’s in the works, but it’s not officially going to happen yet.
no reason for CASIS to make an announcement until it’s for sure going to happen, and Znak & Jones statement can be interpreted as hype.
Hmm, reality show about astronauts. Not tried before, but I hope it’s watchable.
Spam account. Do not click.
There are quite a few people who have good ideas for productive work that can be flown on ISS with a little support from NASA.