Tom Hanks draws on his love of space for immersive documentary 'The Moonwalkers'

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Tom Hanks has made it clear that he won't be joining the space tourism bandwagon anytime soon. Many rich and famous people are now opting for suborbital flights that offer a short but thrilling experience. However, Hanks believes that such rides don't provide enough time for him to truly experience and explore the vastness of the universe.

On Tuesday, Hanks mentioned that he doesn't have any plans for going back and forth. He opined that he would prefer staying in paradise for a longer duration.

Exploring the moon is a different situation altogether. This is the focal point of the documentary titled "The Moonwalkers." It is an engaging tale co-written and narrated by Hanks.

Hanks stated that he would readily agree to that. He admitted that he lacks the expertise in mathematics, but he is certain that he can contribute to the program in some way.

The actor who has won Academy award twice is a great fan of space since his childhood. He has devoted his interest to create "The Moonwalkers", which will be screened on Wednesday at Lightroom. The Lightroom is a London-based location that specializes in immersive art and film enjoyment.

People who come to see the film can take a seat on some benches that are placed close to some pictures and videos that help to show what it was like during NASA's Apollo space missions. This film lasts for around 50 minutes and its main purpose is to give viewers an idea about the 12 men who had the chance to walk on the moon between 1969 and 1972, the many individuals who assisted them in accomplishing that, and also the new set of astronauts who are preparing to go back to the moon as part of the Artemis scheme.

In this modern mix, old footage, illustrations, enhanced photos, and animated elements are all combined. Hanks wants to emphasize that no CGI is used in this process.

Hanks mentioned to The Associated Press that all the pictures and images displayed were captured by a person who was physically present with the subject. He emphasized that there was no falsification involved in any way. As he sat in the location, surrounded by a massive lunar vista, this was his statement.

The exhibition "The Moonwalkers" will be available until April 21, 2024. It features Tom Hanks as the narrator, using his friendly, paternal voice, and as a co-writer along with British documentarian Christopher Riley.

The competition to explore space is showcased as a highly humanitarian effort that showcases humanity's insatiable inquisitiveness and yearning to achieve values - just as President John F. Kennedy described the mission to the moon as something done "not because they are easy but because they are hard."

Ever since he was a child, Hanks, who is now 67 years old, has been fascinated by space travel, particularly the exploration of the moon. He used to try to simulate a zero-gravity environment by sitting at the bottom of a swimming pool in his backyard. His portrayal of Jim Lovell, a space mission commander facing difficulties, in the film "Apollo 13" helped rekindle public interest in the Apollo program during the 1990s.

Maybe there were indications from the start that he would be an actor instead of an astronaut. Hanks became interested in space, not for the advanced technology, but for the emotional stories. He is fascinated by the individuals involved in space exploration.

Science can be fascinating, but it's crucial to understand its practical applications as well. For example, while we may be captivated by the intricacies of space travel, we can't forget about some of the more mundane details that astronauts face on a daily basis. Questions such as whether they have access to coffee, hot water, and shaving tools may seem insignificant, but they have a significant impact on the feasibility and success of space missions. So, while it's great to appreciate the wonder of science, we must also consider its practical implications.

According to Hanks, his fascination with space began when he was just 12 years old in 1968. He recalls seeing a live transmission of the Earth from the Apollo 8 spacecraft while it was orbiting the moon, and he was instantly captivated.

During a live transmission, the clouds, the ocean in gray, and the land in a darker shade of gray were all visible," he shared. He was astonished to witness "this incredible story" on his television, the same TV he used to watch "Batman" and John Wayne films.

I didn't see it as politics or news, rather I saw it as an amazing adventure similar to Jason and the Argonauts. The story-telling and artistic skills were as impressive as the technological aspects.

"The Moonwalkers" features discussions with the four astronauts selected for the Artemis II mission, which marks humanity's first attempt to explore the moon in 50 years.

NASA's Orion capsule is all set to fly with its first crewed Artemis mission, comprising Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch, and Jeremy Hansen. The launch from Kennedy Space Center is expected to take place in late 2024. Their mission doesn't involve landing, but they would fly around the moon and return back to Earth. This is an excellent warm-up exercise before two other astronauts land on the moon a year later.

Numerous nations, including China and India, have intentions to send their astronauts to the moon.

The Artemis crew members are excellent collaborators and state that they would be ecstatic about the fresh lunar program, regardless of whether they were picked for the undertaking.

Glover, NASA's premier African American astronaut for the moon landing, declared that he would still be thrilled to watch the proceedings from the cosiness of his home while donning his jammies. It's quite remarkable that we're sending people to the moon, he proclaimed.

Koch, who broke barriers as the premier female moon traveler, expressed that Artemis symbolizes the commencement of a quest, which will ultimately propel humanity to Mars in the years to come.

"I believe that the future of space exploration lies in Mars, as it may hold the key to one of our most pressing queries, that is, the possibility of extraterrestrial life," she expressed. "Whenever I interact with individuals, that's the first thing they inquire from me, and it's a question that has been on our minds for centuries. By setting our sights on Mars, we can increase our chances of uncovering the truth about the existence of life beyond Earth."