Netflix Docuseries Tags Along on SpaceX's All-Civilian Inspiration4 Mission

Netflix takes its brand to new heights today with the first two episodes of Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space, a near real-time docuseries about the four civilians who will launch into space aboard the SpaceX capsule later this month. The five-part series follows the crew members as they prepare for their three-day journey, with the finale showcasing unprecedented access inside the spacecraft during the launch.

Also today: Lifetime brings its Harry and Meghan obsession into the present day with Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace, Lisa Rinna returns to Days of Our Lives in Peacock’s spinoff, and Robot Chicken kicks off its eleventh season. Here’s what’s new and noteworthy on TV this Monday:

Countdown: Inspiration4 Mission to Space: Docuseries premiere. The documentary team behind The Last Dance goes behind the scenes of the SpaceX Dragon mission, the first all-civilian mission to orbit, in this new docuseries. Two episodes premiere today, followed by two more on September 13. If the spacecraft launches successfully on September 15, the feature-length finale will hit Netflix later this month. Watch trailer. Streaming on Netflix

Harry & Meghan: Escaping the Palace: TV movie. Jordan Dean and Sydney Morton step into Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's shoes in Lifetime’s third film about the royal couple. The drama tracks Harry and Meghan as they become disillusioned with “The Firm” and choose to step back from their royal duties and move to the U.S., a decision that provides a year’s worth of tabloid fodder. Read our review. 8:00 PM ET on Lifetime

The American Royal Baby: ABC News Special: Special presentation. Lifetime’s Harry and Meghan marathon continues with an ABC News special that originally aired in June in celebration of the birth of Lilibet Diana, the first American-born royal baby. 10:00 PM ET on Lifetime

Days of Our Lives: Beyond Salem: Series premiere. Peacock expands the beloved daytime soap with a five-episode spinoff that's set to reunite viewers with some of their favorite characters, including ISA agent Billie Reed (Lisa Rinna), Dr. Marlena Evans (Deidre Hall), John Black (Drake Hogestyn), and Paulina Price (Jackée Harry). New episodes drop daily ahead of the finale on September 10. Watch trailer. Streaming on Peacock

Robot Chicken: Season premiere. Adult Swim’s stop-motion sketch comedy series returns for its eleventh season of toy shenanigans, with new episodes airing nightly through Friday. Watch trailer. Midnight ET on Adult Swim

The Smurfs: Preview episode. With kids home for school this Labor Day, Nickelodeon is previewing its new Smurfs series with a special midday episode aherad of the show's official primetime series premiere this Friday. Watch trailer. 12:30 PM ET on Nickelodeon

Bachelor in Paradise: New episode. 8:00 PM ET on ABC

College Football: The Louisville Cardinals and the Ole Miss Rebels go head to head in the Chick-fil-A kickoff game in Atlanta, Georgia. 8:00 PM ET/5:00 PM PT on ESPN

Ben & Jerry’s: Clash of the Cones: Season finale. One ice cream master will be given an opportunity to create an original Ben & Jerry’s ice cream flavor as the Food Network competition wraps its first season. 9:00 PM ET on Food Network

The Republic of Sarah: Season finale. Stella (Sarah Baker) is offered a chance to promote Greylock on the international stage, but it will come at a great personal cost. Watch preview. 9:00 PM ET on The CW

The Ultimate Surfer: A surprising twist results in the surfers being greeted by old friends who force them to up their game. Later, four teams enter the Wildcard Wave Challenge in hopes of keeping their dreams alive. 10:00 PM ET on ABC

Claire Spellberg Lustig is the Senior Editor at Primetimer and a scholar of The View. Follow her on Twitter at @c_spellberg.