Curiosity Stream
Sign In

The New Frontier (Season 2)

10 episodes 97%4KCC

Cross the edge of space and discover how astronauts earn the stars.

Season 2 explores the frontier above Earth, from the Karman line to the training grounds that prepare astronauts for the International Space Station and future deep space missions. You will see the demanding simulations, global teamwork, and high stakes science behind human spaceflight, then follow the technologies and discoveries shaping what comes next beyond our planet.

Episode guide

10 episodes
1
1The Astronauts
100 kilometers above the Earth’s surface lies an invisible frontier: the edge of space. This is the Karman Line, the boundary between our planet’s atmosphere and what lies beyond. What will it take to cross that line?
25 min
2
2Getting There
Launching payloads into space is a historically difficult task. Now, missiles designed to carry atomic warheads send satellites and probes into the solar system—one of Mankind’s few undertakings that doesn't occur in nature.
24 min
3
3Orbit
The International Space Station serves as an observation post, research lab and classroom. But other assets orbiting Earth help our everyday lives by delivering communications, observing weather, and handling global positioning and resource management.
25 min
4
4Shore to Shore
Our seafaring nature has translated well to the space age, as we seek to “sail out” into the unknown. The U.S. and NASA have set their sights on manned missions to Mars: can they navigate the dangerous seas of deep space?
24 min
5
5Mars: Adapt or Leave
As the ExoMars rover continues to explore, Mars is giving up her secrets. Ultraviolet light reveals invisible clouds, and the search for methane continues. Getting to Mars is one thing; staying long-term is another. Can we really land humans on the red planet?
24 min
6
6Emissaries
Our solar system is so vast, it is nearly 150 million kilometers, or 1 Astronomical Unit (AU), from the Sun to the Earth. And Pluto is up to 48 AUs away! Although humans cannot yet travel that sort of distance, we can—and do—send robots and probes in our place; and the results are astounding.
24 min
7
7Danger Asteroids Ahead
Space exploration is expensive, but there is one program that is essential: the Planetary Defense Program, which locates, identifies and deflects wayward asteroids. At last count, there were 15,000 asteroids that were dangerously close to Earth.
25 min
8
8First Light
For an instrument first developed in the 17th century, the telescope has traveled a long way. Now, the latest version of the once-humble telescope is going a lot farther—carrying us closer to the first light that ever bathed our universe.
24 min
9
9Stars Above
Stars come in all shapes and sizes. They can be warm or cold, and dim or bright. Recent discoveries suggest that the number of stars in our Milky Way galaxy alone may exceed 200 billion. What more can we learn about these citizens of the night sky?
24 min
10
10The Dark Side
We don’t know much about two of the enduring mysteries of the Universe—Dark Matter and Dark Energy—but scientists are devoting great time and energy into learning much more.
24 min
Good to know

Frequently asked questions

Thousands of the world's best documentaries and factual programming — nature, history, science, technology, and biography — including exclusive Curiosity Originals like The New Frontier (Season 2). Stream it all ad-free, anytime.

Plans are billed annually — every plan streams in 4K. The Smart Bundle adds four partner services. There are no contracts — cancel anytime.

Watch on the web, iOS and Android, Roku, Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Chromecast, Android TV, and most smart TVs. Start on one device and pick up right where you left off on another.

Yes. The library is full of family-friendly nature and science programming, and the Smart Bundle includes Kidstream — carefully chosen, ad-free shows kids will love and parents can trust.

Absolutely. There are no contracts and no cancellation fees — manage or cancel your plan anytime from your account settings.

Curiosity Stream is our streaming service — thousands of documentaries and originals. The Smart Bundle is Curiosity Stream plus four other independent streaming services (Tastemade, Kidstream, Curiosity University, and SOMM TV) on a single subscription.

Yes. Start on any plan and move up to the Smart Bundle whenever you like — the change takes effect right away, and your billing is simply prorated from your account settings.

Got your answer? Pick a plan and start streaming.Start streaming
Available now

Start watching The New Frontier (Season 2) today

Stream thousands of award-winning documentaries. Cancel anytime.

Start streaming