On May 13, 2009, the space shuttle Atlantis slowly approached the Hubble Space Telescope. Hundreds of my colleagues and I were packed into the auditorium at the Space Telescope Science Institute, watching the live feed on NASA TV. I was posting to twitter (I am @franksummers) and following the live feed of other folks' postings (called tweets) about NASA and Hubble.

During the rendezvous with Hubble, the tweet stream became a flood. More than one tweet per second flowed across my laptop screen. People were not just watching the event, they were enthralled by it. Post after post was filled with excitement and declared their newfound addiction to this unfolding real-time real-life drama.

Could it be that the Hubble Servicing Misison was the ultimate reality show?

Reality TV

Personally, I am not a fan of reality television. That genre seems dominated by deliberately contrived situations and casting choices intended to manufacture conflict. Over-the-top emotional responses are the standard, and that just isn't reality. Even the talent shows seem to spend all their time developing the characters of their contestants and judges, and not enough time on the performances.

By the standards of today's reality television, NASA TV fails in just about every category. There is a large cast, but the characters work together and avoid conflict. Problems arise, but there is no emotional outpouring, just level-headed commentary. Character development is at a minimum, with coverage entirely focused on completing the assigned tasks. In addition, there are long lulls of slow to no action, the lighting is harsh and always changing, and the video signal can disappear for minutes.

How could this be gripping entertainment? First, because it is truly extraordinary. And second because it is, in fact, reality.

Genuine Reality

Our space program puts these men and women into dangerous situations, but with the noble goal of enhancing our scientific knowledge of the universe. The astronauts and the ground support are exceptional and highly skilled people. The environment of space is unforgiving, the tasks require painstaking care, and several of the Hubble repairs had never been attempted. These are our best and brightest, working together in difficult circumstances to accomplish the incredible. It motivates and inspires the audience to the ideals of the human experience.

And if that is not the ultimate reality show, then it should be. My thanks to the crew of STS-125, mission control, and all of NASA for the past week and a half of genuine, enthralling, and amazing television.