# Reach Across the Stars — A Universe of Explorers

> Interactive educational app featuring women in STEM careers and space exploration. (iPhone/iPad app by Smithsonian Institution.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reach-across-the-stars/id1494523541 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Smithsonian Institution](https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865)
- Category: Education, Entertainment
- Price: Free
- Rating: 4.20/5 from 26 App Store ratings · 5 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 11.0 · 1.2 GB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-04-28
- Data updated: 2026-08-14
- Monetization: free
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reach-across-the-stars/id1494523541/reviews.md

## What is Reach Across the Stars?

In the app’s journeys, a current scientist takes viewers into her work environment, recalling her favorite career moments as well as challenges and obstacles. Some of the feature stories combine audio interviews, video, 3D environments and 360-degree virtual reality content to let viewers peek into the worlds of these scientific heroes.

A user can explore NASA’s Chandra X-ray Observatory astronaut Cady Coleman, tour the Crab Nebula pulsar with astrophysicist Jocelyn Bell Burnell, and get a behind-the-scenes look at the Mars 2020 rover with Christina Hernandez, an instrument engineer at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory.

Some of the women in the stories of this new app include computer scientist Grace Hopper, astronomer Nancy Roman, mathematician Katherine Johnson, physicist and chemist Marie Curie and astronauts Mae Jemison and Sally Ride.

The project received support from the Smithsonian American Women’s History Initiative, Because of Her Story. Launched in 2018, Because of Her Story is one of the country’s most ambitious undertakings to research, collect, document, display and share the compelling story of women.

Support also comes from Chandra. The Chandra X-ray Observatory, one of NASA’s “Great Observatories,” has a special connection to the Smithsonian as its science and operations center is at the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory in Massachusetts. The Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama, manages the Chandra X-ray Center on behalf of NASA.

## Key features

- Immersive scientific environments
- Audio interviews with scientists
- 3D and 360-degree VR content
- Biographies of women in STEM
- Behind-the-scenes looks at space missions
- Exploration of NASA observatories

## Recent user reviews (5 of 5)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/reach-across-the-stars/id1494523541/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Cool

*2022-11-05*

Just wanted to drop a thank you.   Love this little app.

### 1/5 — Doesn’t load

*2021-03-25*

It never makes it past the volume suggestion and says no internet detected, even when I’ve turned it on and off to make sure it’s connected.

### 5/5 — Ok,I can’t explain how much I like this game.

*2020-10-31*

My favorite things to learn about is science,history,and space and all those things are in this app! +plus I know what a nebula is+

### 2/5 — Not a well designed app

*2020-07-06*

Not well designed, seemed to be just a copy of “star gazing and constellation” apps. Also doesn’t provide any sources of fact checking and isn’t that insightful. Could have had more “fun facts” or games as a learning app that is seemingly geared towards children.

### 5/5 — Super cool

*2020-07-06*

I love learning about scientists and this gives a chance to explore the stars too.

## Frequently asked questions about Reach Across the Stars

### What is Reach Across the Stars?

Reach Across the Stars is an educational app that immerses users in the work environments of pioneering women in STEM. It features personal stories, challenges, and achievements through a mix of audio interviews, video, 3D environments, and 360-degree virtual reality content.

### What kind of content does Reach Across the Stars offer?

The app allows users to explore the work of scientists like Cady Coleman, tour celestial bodies with astrophysicists, and get behind-the-scenes looks at space missions with engineers. It highlights figures such as Grace Hopper, Nancy Roman, Katherine Johnson, Marie Curie, Mae Jemison, and Sally Ride.

### Is Reach Across the Stars suitable for children?

Yes, Reach Across the Stars has an age rating of 4+, making it suitable for young learners. The content focuses on inspiring figures in STEM and space exploration, presented in an engaging and educational manner.

### What devices support Reach Across the Stars?

Reach Across the Stars is available on iPhone, iPad, and iPod. The app is designed to leverage the capabilities of these Apple devices for an immersive educational experience.

### How often is Reach Across the Stars updated?

The app was last updated on May 29, 2021, to version 3.1. While specific update frequency isn't detailed, this indicates ongoing development and content additions since its release in 2020.

### What is the user rating for Reach Across the Stars?

Reach Across the Stars has a rating of 4.2 stars based on 26 ratings. This suggests a generally positive user reception to the app's content and educational value.

### Does Reach Across the Stars have ads?

No, Reach Across the Stars does not contain advertisements. The app is completely free to download and use without any ad interruptions.

### Can I access Reach Across the Stars offline?

The provided data does not specify whether Reach Across the Stars can be used offline. However, given its immersive content like VR and video, an internet connection may be required for the full experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 3.1 — 2021-05-29

Improved loading time and usability upgrades.

### 3.0 — 2021-01-27

New content and AR experiences featuring Astronauts Suni Williams and Jessica Watkins

### 2.0 — 2020-06-25

This version includes new AR and chat content featuring:
- Christina Hernandez, a systems engineer at the NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) who works on the Mars 2020 Rover
- Jocelyn Bell Burnell, an astrophysicist who discovered the first Pulsar

### 1.12 — 2020-05-03

Initial Release with small bug fixes and performance optimizations.

### 1.11 — 2020-04-30

Initial App Release with bug fixes.

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All apps by Smithsonian Institution: https://appshunter.io/developer/370564865

## Related topics

[Reach for the Stars](https://appshunter.io/ios/topics/reach-for-the-stars)

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-14.*