Celebrating the launch of the second season of Mars, its hybrid series mixing documentary and scripted material to explore what living on the planet would be like, National Geographic last Thursday took over a posh townhouse in Soho. Red light, intended to reflect the planet’s iron-rich surface, cast a forgiving glow over all. Guests could slip into virtual reality headgear affording 360-degree views of the sprawling set in Budapest. They could also sip Martian Sunrises, a cocktail of blue Curaçao and juices (sunsets on Mars are blue), while standing around an Olympic-length pool featuring red foam letters spelling out M-A-R-S (pictured above). There, former NASA astronauts Leland Melvin and Dr. Mae Jemison, featured in the series, chatted with Nat Geo executives and the press.
Starry Nat Geo Lunch Launches Second Trip to Mars
