Explorers, astronauts and filmmakers described life in space and on Earth in an epic livestream from the Drake Passage.

Space2Sea Antarctica marks the inaugural voyage in a series produced by FUTURE of SPACE (FoS). This innovative journey blends Earth's uncharted territories with the inspiring narrative of human curiosity and exploration. It encapsulates the core mission of FoS to: Embrace New Frontiers, Celebrate the Human Experience, and Elevate the Conversation. Student journalist Gabe Castro-Root of American University is chronicling the mission for FoS. You can read his latest dispatch below.

Astronauts, scientists and explorers gathered aboard an Antarctica-bound ship on Friday for a panel discussion aimed at inspiring young people's curiosity about the ocean, outer space and their own backyards.

Students in 46 countries were set to tune in to the conversation's live stream, according to Future of Space, the Antarctica expedition organizer. Daniel Fox, co-founder of Future of Space, said it was the first-ever live broadcast from the Drake Passage, the notoriously turbulent stretch of ocean between South America and the Antarctic Peninsula.

The speakers — astrophysicist Neil deGrasse Tyson, "Star Trek" actor William Shatner, filmmaker Céline Cousteau and astronauts Scott Kelly and José Hernández — shared stories of their own early interests in exploration and answered questions sent in from students around the world. The panel was moderated by Janet Ivey, host of the children's television show "Janet's Planet" on PBS.