Unknowns: Cosmic Time Machine (Film)

Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine is a documentary released on the Netflix platform in 2023. The production focuses on the development, launch, and scientific objectives of the James Webb Space Telescope. The documentary premiered as part of Netflix’s Unknown documentary series. It comprehensively explores the potential of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), one of the most important observatories in modern astronomy, to shed light on the early universe and its role in astrophysical research.

The documentary begins with the preparation phase of the James Webb Space Telescope—developed through a partnership between NASA, the European Space Agency (ESA), and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA)—prior to its 2021 launch. It chronologically presents the stages of the telescope’s launch, deployment into orbit, and the capture of its first images. The production details the telescope’s technical specifications, the expectations of scientists, and the potential contributions of JWST to cosmology, galaxy evolution, star formation, exoplanets, and the search for life.

Unknown: Cosmic Time Machine is structured within the frameworks of space technology, the history of science, and themes of discovery. The documentary addresses major astrophysical topics such as the origin of the universe, observations of the early universe, and cosmic evolution following the Big Bang. Additionally, the historical development of humanity’s quest for knowledge about the cosmos and the mission scientists have entrusted to JWST are central focal points of the film.

The documentary was released on Netflix on July 24, 2023, as the fourth episode of the Unknown series. It was produced by Flux Films and directed by Shai Gal. Filming took place at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, the Space Telescope Science Institute, and the European Space Agency, and was enriched with expert interviews and animation-enhanced visuals.

• Dr. Amber Straughn – NASA Astrophysicist
• Dr. John Mather – Nobel Prize-winning Astrophysicist
• Dr. Klaus Pontoppidan – JWST Project Scientist
• Dr. Sarah Kendrew – Astronomer
• JWST Development Team, Engineers, and Scientists

The documentary was nominated for the 2024 AAAS Award for Scientific Visualization. In the same year, it received a nomination in the Critics’ Choice Documentary Awards for Best Science Documentary.