As a space junkie, I loved this documentary following two small-launch rocket companies over a multi-year period. Given that Ars Technica’s Rocket Report is part of my weekly diet, I pretty much know how it’s going to turn out and I’m probably THE target audience for a documentary like this. Still, the story arcs of Astra and Rocket Lab are a perfect study in the modern space industry, venture capital, and business. Even if you aren’t a launch junkie, Wild, Wild Space is fascinating and dramatic. These guys invest everything into what they do – and for a startup rocket company, the amount riding on each launch is almost unbearable. You will sweat the countdowns, ride the exhilaration of launch, and feel the absolute soul-crushing hell of failure.
You want to know what life is like as an entrepreneur? Watch Chris Kemp as he launches, crashes, and then, within seconds, has to field a call from his investors. It’s like summiting Everest, immediately falling off, and then having a three minute phone conversation with your wife (who you assured everything would be fine) as you head toward the ground.
Don’t look for depth here. The documentarians have the shallowest possible spin on what happens: Rocket Lab engineering-led and good, Astra sales-led and bad. It’s about the lamest take you can imagine, but fortunately it doesn’t get in the way of the story. Rocket Lab’s story and founder really are inspirational (even though much of what Kemp says about their business model was kind of prophetic) and while Chris Kemp isn’t going to be everyone’s cup of tea, he puts it all out there. Hey, I wish he was raising money for my business. (Max)