Mars is a fascinating area of study for mankind, as it could be our chance to make humankind a multi-planet species, and increase our chances of living for an eternity. But the problem of making life happen on the Red Planet is a challenging one, a challenge explored in incredible detail by a new National Geographic TV series titled simply, “Mars.”

This science-fiction documentary-esque feature explores the quest to explore and then colonize Mars in around the year 2033. The series will last six episodes and marks a major effort by National Geographic, as it will be its most expensive TV project ever with a budget of about $20 million, according to reports.

It marks what is perhaps a shift from reality shows to high quality documentaries about science for the channel. That makes this an interesting gamble for National Geographic, and a possible shift toward what industry experts call “premium nonfiction.” Netflix found a hit with its “Making a Murderer” series, for example.

“The year is 2033, and humanity’s first crewed mission to Mars is about to become a reality,” the National Geographic’s official Mars website says about the series. “As a clock counts down the final 90 seconds to landing, an expert crew of astronauts endures the final harrowing moments before touching down on the red planet. Even with the best training and resources available, the maiden crew of the Daedalus spacecraft must push itself to the brink of human capability in order to successfully establish the first sustainable colony on Mars.

“Set both in the future and in the present day, the global miniseries event MARS blends feature film-caliber scripted elements set in the future with documentary vérité interviews with today’s best and brightest minds in modern science and innovation, illuminating how research and development is creating the space technology that will enable our first attempt at a mission to Mars.”