Category Archives: Living in Space

Here’s a video animation showing a time lapse view of the assembly of the International Space Station:

Future space, Living in Space, Space Arts

Bryan Versteeg – space illustrator extraordinaire

February 16, 2014 TopSpacer

Artist Bryan Versteeg, who has created illustrations for many space endeavors including Deep Space Industries and Mars One, is profiled in this article, which includes a gallery of his work: Bryan Versteeg’s Mars One Illustrations Show Human Life On Another Planet – Huffington Post (Canada).

“The Martian” – Andy Weir’s debut novel becomes a best seller

February 12, 2014 TopSpacer

Andy Weir‘s book, The Martian: A Novel, has become an unexpected hit and there is already a movie in the works: A Survival Guide to Mars: A Computer-Scientist-Turned-Novelist Explores Life on Mars in Debut Thriller – WSJ.com

What if you were the last person on Mars?

That is the dizzying premise of Andy Weir’s meticulously researched debut novel, “The Martian.” The novel, which began as a self-published science-fiction serial, is shaping up to be an international hit, with publication rights sold in 21 countries and a movie in the works.

The story opens as astronaut Mark Watney, the lowest-ranking crew member of NASA’s third manned mission to Mars, wakes, aching and fuzzy headed, from an unconscious stupor in his space suit. He is stranded on Mars, after his crew got hit with an unexpectedly powerful sand storm six days into their monthlong mission. He was presumed dead and left behind when the crew evacuated. Satellite radio communications with NASA blew out. The next scheduled Mars mission is four years away, and Watney only has enough food to last 300 days.

DIY space, Living in Space, Space Systems

Copenhagen Suborbitals: Cameron Smith’s year of making space suits

February 12, 2014 TopSpacer

Dr. Cameron M. Smith, an anthropologist at Portland State University and a DIY space suit maker, gives an overview of what the past year of working with Copenhagen Suborbitals has been like and what lessons he learned: A Year With Copenhagen Suborbitals: Lessons Learned – Wired Science.

One development in particular was the founding of the organization: Pacific Spaceflight – Pressure garments for space tourism and exploration

“Dr. Smith in the pressure suit and coverall, taking a break between pressure tests
in Copenhagen, August 2013.” Credits: Jev Olsen, Copenhagen Suborbitals.