Someday, Into Zero-Gravity Space

Asuka Mochizuki (Mai Kiryu), 30, works at an advertising agency in Osaka. She is a hard worker who tackles every task that lands in front of her. However, she once dreamed of reaching space with the members of her high school astronomy club. Weighed down by the "gravity" of adult responsibilities, Asuka had lost the courage to think about what she really wanted, until one day... ©NHK

Asuka reunites with her high school friend Hikari Hibino (Misato Morita) for the first time in 13 years. The two had once bonded over a shared love of space but had since lost touch. Asuka is happy to see that Hikari hasn't changed, but there's a question she's had all these years. At Hikari's suggestion, the two go to a planetarium where... ©NHK

Of the four members of Asuka's high school astronomy club, only Hikari had continued pursuing their dream of reaching space. Hikari had even been preparing for astronaut trials, but a turn of events forced her to give up. With a trembling voice, she confesses, "I really wanted to see Earth from space." Moved by Hikari's words, Asuka begins to wonder if there's anything she can do to help. ©NHK

As Asuka ponders how she can help her old friend Hikari, memories of their time in the high school astronomy club come flooding back. It's then that she finds an old blog post: "Even We Can Launch a Satellite!" Unrealistic as it sounds, the words linger in her mind, and when she is asked what she wants to accomplish next at a recruitment seminar, an idea flashes into her mind. ©NHK

After reuniting with Hikari, Asuka starts to recall their high school days in the astronomy club and the promise to go to space together. To inspire Hikari, who has given up on her astronaut dream, Asuka suggests building a microsatellite to see Earth from space. Determined to make this happen, Asuka contacts former club member Amane Mizuhara (Yuki Katayama). ©NHK

Driven by her high school dream of seeing Earth from space, Asuka sets out to reunite the former astronomy club members. Her plan quickly faces a setback when Amane declines, citing her age and responsibilities. Still, Asuka tries to keep her promise to Hikari to unite the team. Hope returns when Amane later gives Asuka contact information for another member, Haruko (Marika Ito). ©NHK

Asuka is determined to reunite the former members of her high school astronomy club to build a satellite, but both Amane and Haruko firmly reject the idea, leaving her disheartened. Their refusal, however, goes deeper than time or priorities-the club fell apart in the summer of their senior year when Hikari suddenly disappeared. Amane admits she still can't forgive Hikari for that. ©NHK

Asuka believes Hikari owes her former astronomy club friends an explanation for her sudden disappearance in high school and arranges a gathering at a diner. Tensions rise as Amane, still angry with Hikari, attempts to leave. In this charged atmosphere, Hikari begins to reveal the truth she has hidden for years. The friends confront feelings they have long kept buried. ©NHK

Asuka brings together the astronomy club members for the first time since their senior year. As she proposes building their own satellite, Hikari and Amane voice their differing views. It is then that Haruko, now a single mother, arrives with her son Gaku. Haruko insists that she no longer has the time or energy to aim for space. ©NHK

The entire astronomy club-Asuka, Hikari, Amane, and Haruko-has reunited for the first time in 13 years. Needing knowledge and funding to develop their satellite, they decide to visit Professor Izumi (Anne Suzuki), an expert in the field. While at the college campus, Asuka and Amane also run into Kei Kanazawa (Daiken Okudaira), a student who works part-time at their usual diner. ©NHK

Asuka and Amane visit Professor Izumi to seek her advice about launching a satellite. There, they run into Kanazawa, a student at Professor Izumi's lab. Afterwards, as they discuss what they learned at their usual diner, Kanazawa lashes out at them for their lack of knowledge. Asuka feels discouraged, and Hikari suggests they go stargazing together. ©NHK

After Kanazawa scoffs at the idea of amateurs trying to reach space, Hikari tries to lift everyone's spirits. Her words spark a shared memory of the day that the four friends skipped a class to witness the solar eclipse. Recalling that fearless moment from their youth convinces the team that there's nothing they can't do if they work together. ©NHK

Asuka and her friends learn that their old high school is renting out classrooms, and they secure their former astronomy club room for a satellite project. Asuka and Hikari visit Professor Izumi, a satellite research expert, and begin building a BBM, the essential first step in their project. While Asuka works with Amane and Haruko, Kanazawa quietly takes an interest in their endeavor. ©NHK

The team aims to launch their satellite in two and a half years, but Hikari worries about their timeline. Asuka reassures her but is soon appointed team leader at work, making her schedule more demanding. Amane and Haruko also face challenges balancing work and personal life. As the pressure increases, progress on the satellite development starts to slow. ©NHK

Hikari secures a potential sponsor for their satellite project, prompting Asuka to take charge of the presentation. Tensions rise as Amane distances herself from Hikari over involving college students. Haruko juggles parenting and satellite development, worrying about the project timeline and funds. Amid these challenges, Hikari meets Kanazawa again in the college lab. ©NHK

For the first time, the four friends clash over how to proceed with the satellite development, each expressing their own frustrations. Not knowing how to make amends, Asuka slips away alone to their usual diner. There, Kanazawa grows impatient with her indecision over what to order, and Asuka begins to let her doubts spill out, one hesitant word at a time. ©NHK

After the team fight over the satellite project's direction, Asuka heads alone to a hilltop to watch the Strawberry Moon-only to run into Hikari. The encounter stirs a memory of the night in high school when they first became friends, a moment of stargazing that took place at that very same spot. Later, all four team members reunite and discuss the best path forward. ©NHK

Asuka and the team continue development with the help of college students who are eager to take part. To achieve their mission of "seeing Earth from space," they begin creating a program that can sort satellite images based on how clearly Earth is captured. The task proves challenging, but when one of the students sends a photo to Kanazawa... ©NHK

Inspired by Hikari's sudden idea, the team adds a bold new mission to their project: crafting a quote to rival Yuri Gagarin's iconic "The Earth is blue." Their plan is to embed audio recordings in the satellite and send their voices back to Earth from space. Following Professor Izumi's advice, they begin studying to obtain amateur radio licenses and Kanazawa finds himself intrigued. ©NHK

The team focuses on developing the "Digitalker," a device designed to transmit audio from space. The mission is rooted in their high school dream of leaving behind a memorable quote after seeing Earth from space, just as Yuri Gagarin once did. At last, Kanazawa officially joins the team, and Hikari shares something important with Asuka during a hiking trip to test the Digitalker. ©NHK

Hikari informs the team that she must step away from the project to focus on her cancer treatment. Asuka, Amane, and Haruko vow to keep pushing forward with development alongside Kanazawa and the rest of the team. When Asuka misses Hikari, she receives a reassuring message from her. Soon after, the four friends reunite at the hospital, sharing a heartfelt and joyful moment together. ©NHK

An unexpected setback forces the team to halt development. Just like during the summer of their senior year in high school, Asuka, Amane, and Haruko begin to drift apart. Kanazawa reaches out, hoping to ease Asuka's burden, but she can't bring herself to accept his comfort. The next day, feverish and unable to eat, Asuka tries eating yakisoba the way Hikari liked it. ©NHK

Several days pass with the satellite project on hold when Hikari's mother, Asako, visits Asuka and the team. Their conversation prompts Asuka to reminisce about high school-Amane's love for horoscopes, Haruko's uptight student council persona, and Hikari's role in uniting them. Inspired by these memories, Asuka resolves to pursue space again and reunite the team. ©NHK

After a long discussion, the Osumi Astronomy Club resumes their satellite development project. They advance to the second phase, and the satellite slowly begins to take shape. Kanazawa, who has been worried about Asuka, is inspired by her renewed determination and vows to give his best as well. Amid this steady progress, Asuka proposes something new: naming the satellite. ©NHK