Science Channel Greenlights HOMEMADE ASTRONAUTS Featuring DIY Faces of the Space Race

Silicon Valley billionaires need not apply. A group of colorful DIY rocketeers are taking their own path to space. A new Science Channel series, HOMEMADE ASTRONAUTS (WT), now in production, will follow three self-financed teams with sky-high dreams, in their cosmic quest to explore the final frontier on shoe-string budgets. The series will premiere in 2020.

Mike Hughes and Waldo Stakes are working on a manned rocket to space, designing a "Rock-oon" - part rocket, part balloon - that they hope to use to get Mike to the Karman line, the border between Earth's atmosphere and outer space at about 62 miles high. To raise money and awareness for that pricey venture, they plan to first launch Mike 5,000 feet high in a steam-powered rocket.

Ky Michaelson, called the real life "Rocketman," is the first civilian to build and launch an unmanned rocket into space. He's now looking to take his skills to new heights by becoming the first amateur to build and launch a fuel-powered, manned space rocket.

Cameron Smith is creating a spacesuit that can withstand all the elements of space travel. To test his suit out and get it to the Armstrong line, which begins at an altitude of 60,000 feet, Cameron will hitch a ride on a specialized hot air balloon.

"As we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the moon landing, Homemade Astronauts looks at a group of ambitious individuals who are carrying on in the American tradition of finding their own way and making their dreams come true with old-fashioned grit and self-determination," said Marc Etkind, General Manager, Science Channel.

HOMEMADE ASTRONAUTS is being produced by World of Wonder. Executive Producers for World of Wonder are Jeremy Simmons, Fenton Bailey, Randy Barbato and Tom Campbell. Executive Producer for Science Channel is Caroline Perez. Lindsey Foster Blumberg is Supervising Producer for Science.

Science Channel, a multi-media business unit of Discovery, Inc. is the home of all things science around the clock, including series such as MYTHBUSTERS, OUTRAGEOUS ACTS OF SCIENCE, WHAT ON EARTH?, HOW THE UNIVERSE WORKS, UNEARTHED, and MYSTERIES OF THE ABANDONED. Science Channel's programming also includes timely, expert-driven specials covering breaking science news and discoveries. Science Channel is the premiere TV, digital and social community for those with a passion for science, space, technology, archeology, and engineering, providing immersive, engaging, high-quality entertainment across all Science Channel assets including: Science Channel television network, available in more than 63 million homes in the U.S; complimentary Video On Demand offering; SCI Go app allowing viewers to catch up on full episodes of their favorite shows anytime; deep video, interactive storytelling and virtual reality at www.sciencechannel.com; and conversations on Science Channel's popular social platforms including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Snapchat via @ScienceChannel.

Discovery, Inc. (Nasdaq: DISCA, DISCB, DISCK) is a global leader in real life entertainment, serving a passionate audience of superfans around the world with content that inspires, informs and entertains. Discovery delivers over 8,000 hours of original programming each year and has category leadership across deeply loved content genres around the world. Available in 220 countries and territories and nearly 50 languages, Discovery is a platform innovator, reaching viewers on all screens, including TV Everywhere products such as the GO portfolio of apps; direct-to-consumer streaming services such as Eurosport Player and MotorTrend OnDemand; digital-first and social content from Group Nine Media; a landmark natural history and factual content partnership with the BBC; and a strategic alliance with PGA TOUR to create the international home of golf. Discovery's portfolio of premium brands includes Discovery Channel, HGTV, Food Network, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Travel Channel, MotorTrend, Animal Planet, and Science Channel, as well as OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network in the U.S., Discovery Kids in Latin America, and Eurosport, the leading provider of locally relevant, premium sports and Home of the Olympic Games across Europe. For more information, please visit corporate.discovery.com and follow @DiscoveryIncTV across social platforms.

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