One Direction Takes Over NASA in 'Drag Me Down' Video [WATCH]

For the superstar quartet's first song without long-time fifth boy band member Zayn Malik, One Direction have morphed into astronauts for their latest "Drag Me Down" video and have taken over with the help of NASA's Johnson Space Center in Texas. The big-budget video for the premier track of 1D's fifth album showcases each band member as they endure astronaut training and exploration before launching into the atmosphere.

The Ben and Gabe Turner-directed video depicts Harry Styles, Liam Payne, Louis Tomlinson and Niall Horan spending time with an intelligent robot, touring parts of the mock space station, operating rovers and crawling into simulators as the four eventually regroup to sing their latest single with NASA's aircraft hangers in the background. The four ultimately gear up in bright orange space suits, looking as if they belong in the serious moments of Armageddon. The video concludes with the boy band being launched into space with an unknown destination as its target. In just 12 hours since the videos premiere on Friday, the NASA themed clip has garnered over 5 million views on YouTube, NBC reports.

For fans who have yet to get over Malik's departure from the band in March, let's hope the NASA themed video helps those come to terms with the post-Zayn era. 1D die-hards, however, were surprised upon the "Drag Me Down" release on July 31. "['Drag Me Down'] is the first song from the new album that we've been working very, very, very hard on," Payne said at the time, E! notes. "We can't wait for you to hear it."

One Direction will continue on their stretch of gigs for their On The Road Again Tour. Hopefully, Styles can keep his feet planted firmly on the ground as the singer has taken another onstage tumble--this time in Toronto.

Tags

One Direction, NASA, Music Video