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CNN dives into how Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos are backing NASA's race to the moon against China (exclusive clip)
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CNN is set to premiere a new documentary, "Eclipsing Power: Musk, Bezos, and the New Space Race," that delves into how two of the world's most influential billionaires are reshaping America's lunar ambitions. The hour-long special, announced with an exclusive clip, examines Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos' outsized role in NASA's race to return humans to the moon against China. It will stream exclusively on CNN.com/Watch and the CNN app starting Friday, Aug. 7, before its broadcast debut Sunday, Aug. 9 at 8 p.m. EDT/PDT.
The documentary places the pair's efforts in a long American tradition of wealthy industrialists spearheading national endeavors, from railroads to aerospace. But it also highlights a fundamental shift: spaceflight, once a government-led enterprise, is now being driven by private ambition and fortunes. The show follows the parallel rise of Musk's SpaceX and Bezos' Blue Origin, detailing how these companies have become indispensable to NASA's plans.
Featuring exclusive interviews with Planetary Society Chief Ambassador Bill Nye, NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman, journalist Kara Swisher, and Musk biographer Walter Isaacson, the film offers unprecedented access to key figures. The synopsis notes that it "traces how Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have transformed the future of space exploration," while also looking at "both the opportunities and the risks of NASA's growing reliance on private industry."
At the heart of the narrative is the renewed race to the moon, with NASA's Artemis program relying heavily on commercial partners like SpaceX's Starship and Blue Origin's lunar lander. The documentary examines whether this public-private partnership accelerates progress or introduces new vulnerabilities, especially as China advances its own lunar program with nationalistic fervor.
In the exclusive clip, Nye expresses his excitement about the search for life beyond Earth, citing Mars rocks or the subsurface oceans of Europa, Enceladus, and Titan. "It would change the course of human history," he says, adding, "We'll see you up there!" The quote underscores the documentary's broader theme: private spaceflight isn't just about commerce, but about expanding humanity's cosmic footprint.
The film also probes the personal rivalries and divergent strategies of Musk and Bezos, from their competing rocket technologies to their contrasting visions for space settlement. It asks what this new era of commercial spaceflight could mean for the future of humanity, whether it democratizes access to space or concentrates power in the hands of a few.
"Eclipsing Power" is produced by CNN's FlashDocs division, known for provocative storytelling on society and culture, following programs on Bad Bunny and Vogue's Anna Wintour. Executive produced by Eric Johnson with CNN Studios' Amy Entelis and Katie Hinman, the documentary promises a critical look at the personalities steering America's next giant leap.
As the moon race intensifies, the documentary arrives at a pivotal moment, just as NASA prepares for crewed Artemis missions and China targets a lunar landing by 2030. It challenges viewers to consider whether the future of exploration will be defined by national programs or by the visions of billionaire entrepreneurs. With exclusive interviews and rare behind-the-scenes access, "Eclipsing Power" offers a timely examination of the forces shaping the final frontier.
