If you’re still thinking about that recent mission that pushed human spaceflight farther than it’s gone in decades, there’s now a way to watch how it all came together.
A new documentary, Return to the Moon, launched April 24 on Prime Video as part of the PBS Documentaries add-on, offering a detailed look at the Artemis II crew and their 10-day journey beyond Earth orbit. The special focuses on the engineering challenges behind the mission and the four astronauts who are helping lay the groundwork for future lunar exploration.
The release arrives at a time when interest in space exploration is picking up again, with Artemis missions aiming to return humans to the Moon for the first time since the Apollo era. The documentary leans into that momentum, walking viewers through everything from launch prep to splashdown while highlighting the risks and complexity of modern crewed spaceflight.
What Return to the Moon Covers
The film positions itself as a behind-the-scenes look at Artemis II, focusing on the “extreme engineering” required to send astronauts deeper into space than any humans have traveled before. It also explores the broader goal of establishing a sustained human presence on and around the Moon, including future plans for a lunar space station.
Rather than just revisiting history, the documentary connects past and future, showing how lessons from Apollo are shaping the next phase of exploration.
More Space Documentaries Streaming Now
For viewers who want to keep the space theme going, PBS Documentaries on Prime Video has a full lineup of related titles currently available to stream. The platform’s “Adventures in Space” collection includes:
Operation Space Station – A look at life aboard the International Space Station, including high-risk moments and the teamwork required to keep astronauts safe.
Chasing the Moon – A deep dive into the original space race, using archival footage and lesser-known perspectives.
Space Men – The story of early scientific pioneers who helped make human spaceflight possible.
Back to the Moon – A forward-looking special on the next era of lunar exploration.
NOVA: The Planets – A tour across the solar system, exploring how planets formed and what they reveal about life beyond Earth.
Apollo’s Daring Mission – The inside story of Apollo 8 and its role in paving the way for the Moon landing.
How to Watch
PBS Documentaries is available as an add-on subscription through Prime Video, priced at $4.99 per month in the U.S. (or CAN$5.99 in Canada), and requires an existing Prime Video or Amazon Prime subscription. The add-on gives viewers access to a rotating library of documentary films and series, including science, history, and space-focused content like Return to the Moon.
For cord cutters looking for something a little different from the usual TV lineup, this release leans into real-world storytelling with a timely hook — one that taps into renewed curiosity about where space exploration is headed next.