Space + Art

Reading about outer space and watching space movies has always been fun for me, so I enjoyed getting to learn more about the history of space exploration during this week. 

An astronaut on a spacewalk

I was already aware that Virgin Galactic is working on developing commercial flights into space. However, I had no idea that asteroid mining has the potential to be a trillion dollar industry. Professor Vesna explained that a one kilometer diameter asteroid could contain an abundance of nickel, metal cobalt, and platinum. Additionally, the water found in asteroids can be broken down into hydrogen and oxygen-based rocket fuels (“Asteroids”). This means that the cost of space exploration could decrease, making it easier for companies to send more probes/rockets into space.

This is a concept sketch of a proposed device that could harvest asteroids.

One of the most common concerns for human travel into deep space is radiation exposure. But, water from asteroids could act as a radiation shield. According to Chris Lewicki, an aerospace engineer, “1 single cubic meter of water can block almost all forms of radiation in space, allowing you to travel to Mars worry-free” (“Asteroids”). Asteroid mining could expand the global economy and our knowledge of the solar system. I hope companies are able to develop the necessary technology so that this can become a reality.

Some of the metals found in asteroids

The artist Arthur Woods has been inspired by space exploration and regularly integrates science into his artwork. In 1993, his project called Cosmic Dancer was sent into outer space to the Russian Mir space station. It was a three-dimensional geometric form made of aluminum. The artist made his project green because the color is associated with nature (Arthur Woods). Woods wanted to study the sculpture in a weightless environment and learn how how art affects humans in orbit. The video of the project (seen below) in space is fascinating. I really liked how one of the astronauts imitated the rotation and movement of the Cosmic Dancer for a bit. It was almost as if he and the artwork were dancing together.

"Asteroids." Planetary Resources Asteroids Comments. Planetary Resources, n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.planetaryresources.com/asteriods/#market-for-metals>.

Dunbar, Brian. "What Is a Spacewalk?" NASA. NASA, 24 Sept. 2009. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.nasa.gov/audience/forstudents/k-4/stories/what-is-a-spacewalk-k4.html#.VV1RQZNViko>.

Hammonds, Markus. "Asteroid Mining: Booming 21st Century Gold Rush? : DNews." DNews. Discovery Communications, 4 Feb. 2013. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://news.discovery.com/space/asteroids-meteors-meteorites/could-asteroid-mining-drive-21st-century-space-industry-130204.htm>.

Tasarra-Twigg, Noemi. "Asteroid Mining: Sci-Fi Economy Becoming Reality?" ForeverGeek. Splashpress Media, 04 May 2012. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.forevergeek.com/2012/05/asteroid-mining-sci-fi-economy-becoming-reality/>.

Vesna, Victoria. "Space + Art Lecture Part 5." Desma 9. Web. 20 May 2015. <https://cole2.uconline.edu/courses/346337/pages/unit-9-view?module_item_id=6472176>.

Whitley, David. "Beam Me up." Traveller. Fairfax Media, 1 Apr. 2012. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.traveller.com.au/beam-me-up-1w0q3>.

Woods, Arthur. "Cosmic Dancer - a Space Art Intervention by Arthur Woods." The Cosmic Dancer Project : Cosmic Dancer Project Information : Arthur Woods. N.p., n.d. Web. 20 May 2015. <http://www.cosmicdancer.com/cosmic_dancer_project_information.php>.