Frost Science Museum Debuted "How to Die in Space" Planetarium Show
- May 8
- 2 min read
The Phillip and Patricia Frost Museum of Science (Frost Science) invited guests to embrace the dangers of the cosmos with the recent debut of “How to Die in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos.” The one-of-a-kind, interactive live show launched in the Frost Planetarium during a special opening weekend from May 1–4, 2026, blending humor, science, and audience participation into an unforgettable journey through the universe.
A Choose-Your-Own Cosmic Adventure
Inspired by the book of the same name by astrophysicist, science educator, and science communicator Dr. Paul M. Sutter, “How to Die in Space” offered a choose-your-own-adventure experience where audiences took control of a doomed space mission. Throughout the show, guests made decisions that determined their fate, often leading to hilariously catastrophic endings. With a tone that mixed sharp wit and playful sarcasm, the production transformed cosmic threats like black holes, supernovas, and rogue planets into engaging and memorable lessons.
“This show flips the traditional planetarium experience on its head,” said Dr. Analisa Duran, Knight Vice President of Science Education at Frost Science. “By putting the audience in control, we’re making science more immersive, more entertaining, and more accessible, while still delivering real educational value.”
The launch weekend was strategically timed to align with National Space Day (May 1) and Star Wars Day (May 4), creating a museum-wide celebration of space exploration. Beyond the new show, guests participated in a ‘Space Passport’ program, featuring hands-on activities and experiments throughout the museum to encourage exploration and discovery.
Original Production and Local Collaborations
Following the launch weekend festivities, “How to Die in Space” is now being shown daily in the Frost Planetarium. The production marks a major milestone for the museum as the first release from Frost Science Studios, a newly established initiative dedicated to producing original planetarium content that will eventually be distributed to other museums worldwide.
The show’s dynamic spatial audio experience was developed in collaboration with the Frost School of Music at the University of Miami. Through a competitive selection process, Frost School student composer and sound designer Jacey Schell was chosen to create the project’s original score, guided by faculty members Susan Green and Tom Collins. The theater’s 12-speaker dome and four subwoofers deliver immersive audio that places audiences directly inside the action.
Additional creative contributions came from the University of Miami Frost Institute for Data Science and Computing, where designers Emily Anderson, Barbara Griffin, Regina Salem, and Veronica Meneses developed custom pre-show graphics to enhance the overall guest experience.
Admission to “How to Die in Space: An Interactive Adventure Through the Cosmos” is included with all museum tickets. For more information, visit frostscience.org.