A group of artists has launched a colorful, jellyfish-looking craft into Earth's stratosphere as part of a unique test flight.
This past summer, the Beyond Earth artist collective completed an artwork they've designated "Living Light." The piece of art "combines biology, artificial intelligence, and aerospace technology," and "explores the connections between our blue planet and the boundlessness of outer space," they wrote in a statement. And, on June 18, they flew the artwork nearly 19 miles up (just over 30.5 kilometers) above Earth's surface to the farthest reaches of Earth's stratosphere aboard the inaugural test flight of a craft called "Neptune One."
"By sending artworks to space, that really enables us to really rethink the bounds of creative expression," space artist Richelle Gribble, one of the three artists who made this artwork who is also the co-founder of Beyond Earth and director of the gallery Supercollider, told Space.com. "And when it's beyond Earth, it really shows the capabilities of creativity to be something that always pushes the bounds and pushes us to think differently and redefine what art is and how it's made.
Related: Our mission to 'Mars' at the HI-SEAS habitat
This inaugural test flight for Neptune One "marked a major step towards flying customers to space," said in a statement. "Neptune One's capsule was transformed by Living Light, an art installation by Beyond Earth. The world's largest art installation to travel to space, Living Light echoed the shape of the capsule which will eventually transport explorers to space, and adopted the appearance of a jellyfish.
"The installation represented a shared mission to amplify the essential biodiversity and interdependency of all living organisms specifically hidden ocean life rarely included in the story of life on planet Earth," Space Perspective added.
Gribble is one of three members of Beyond Earth. The collective also includes artists Yoko Shimizu, an artist and researcher specializing in biology and chemistry at the Ars Electronica Futurelab in Austria; and Elena Soterakis, an artist, curator and educator who founded the BioBAT Art Space gallery in New York.
To create this collaborative launch, the trio connected with Space Perspective, a Florida-based company that designed the "Spaceship Neptune," a pressurized balloon-lofted capsule that could carry up to eight passengers and one pilot to 100,000 feet (30.5 km). Recently, the company, which was founded by originally "biospherians," Jane Poynter and Taber MacCallum. Poynter and MacCallum each lived for about two years in the dome habitat known as Biosphere 2.
"They invited us to design the entire capsule structure that would be the payload for their inaugural spaceflight," Gribble told Space.com.
The Neptune vessel is "about the size of a football field," Gribble said, adding that it took six hours to fly the artwork up to its ultimate altitude.
The ship is, as its name would dictate, inspired by the Roman god of the sea and the artistic trio took that information as inspiration. "We really wanted to create a design that was an iteration of that theme," Gribble said. "So we began to really deep dive into looking at the ocean biome, and looking at water and properties of species that live off of the Florida Space Coast."
More: Sending art to space: An interview with artist Micah Johnson
For those just seeing Living Light for the first time, its ocean inspiration is clear, as the artwork emanates a jellyfish-esque shape and transparency. But jellyfish aren't the only species that made their way into this artwork.
"We decided to design a structure that is a composite of over 1,000 different aquatic species, to celebrate the biodiversity of marine ecosystems," Gribble said.
But to create a giant colorful jellyfish-shaped piece of artwork for space, it has to be able to withstand the harsh conditions of getting to space, being in space and landing back on Earth.
"When you're designing for space, it really changes the ways you think about materials," Gribble said. You "have to make it extremely lightweight, to deal with the payload parameters. People don't think of this but yes, space is extremely cold. And so we can't have materials that'll be too brittle or break or absorb too much of the UV light. So even the color choices that we selected had to reflect light to protect the art sculpture."
But these weren't even the only serious restrictions that the art team had to work with in order to create art that could withstand space. Gribble added that "designing for impact when it lands into the ocean was a big consideration. So, how to create this structure so it's resilient enough to not leave any kind of debris behind."
The team wanted to make the structure able to withstand an ocean landing to showcase it at future exhibitions and use it for future projects. But even more importantly, Gribble said, they wanted to ensure that they were doing all they could to avoid leaving any debris or waste behind in the ocean.
Gribble tested a small prototype of the art installation at the HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) research station in Hawaii during an analog, or simulated, Mars mission in 2020. (Full disclosure, I participated in the same analog Mars mission as Gribble.)
"During the HI-SEAS analog, I brought a smaller prototype, a miniature of the sculpture," Gribble said, adding that during the analog she "documented as it flew throughout the habitat and also photographed it on the Martian landscape. And this was really intended to brainstorm what it means to design artworks and art objects that are built for space environments."
But this "jellyfish" wasn't just tested and created and flown to the stratosphere all on its own. It also contained a special, tiny capsule with DNA encoded.
"The DNA capsule flown to space on Neptune One inside Living Light, was comprised of three art pieces by each of the artists who make up Beyond Earth," Space Perspective said in the same statement. "In a message To Space, from Earth, each work was converted to DNA and stored inside a metal vial containing an artistic message to space."
Email Chelsea Gohd at cgohd@space.com or follow her on Twitter @chelsea_gohd. Follow us on Twitter @Spacedotcom and on Facebook.
Read the rest here:
Artists launch colorful 'jellyfish' balloon to the stratosphere in inaugural test flight - Space.com
- A Q&A with Katya Echazarreta, the first Mexican-born woman to travel to space - Astronomy Magazine - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Japans planning its first lunar steps with the Artemis program - The Hill - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- DC Eyes Beijing's Investments In Space - Payload - Payload - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- THIS WEEK @NASA: More Partners in Space Exploration, Upgrade to Testing Facilities for Artemis II - SpaceCoastDaily.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Explore Space and Poetry with NASA and Poet Laureate Ada Limn - sxsw.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA warns of secret military presence in space disguised as civilian programs - TweakTown - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NEW: UAH wins first place in college division in NASA's 30th Human Exploration Rover Challenge - Hville Blast - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Are we prepared for Chinese preeminence on the moon and Mars? (op-ed) - Space.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- As space exploration increases, effective space regulation is a necessity - Verdict - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA Announces Winners of Power to Explore Challenge - NASA - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- NASA tests walking robot on Mount Hood for space exploration with universities - KTVL - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Five future astronauts certified from European Space Agency's 2022 graduating class - UPI News - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Sweden becomes 38th country to sign NASA's Artemis Accords for moon exploration - Space.com - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Space start-up claims to have discovered propellant-free propulsion system - NewsBytes - April 24th, 2024 [April 24th, 2024]
- Soyuz Spacecraft Launches to Space Station With NASA Astronaut - SciTechDaily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- This Week In Space podcast: Episode 103 Starship's Orbital Feat - Space.com - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- From 3D To Outer Space: Register For WCC Youth Summer Camps - mitechnews.com - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- NASA and SpaceX: Enhancing Space Exploration with the 30th Resupply Mission - Space Daily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- The Cosmic Enigma: How Space Exploration is Unraveling the Universe's Birth Secrets - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Following Safe Return, NASA's SpaceX Crew-7 to Recount Space Mission - NASA - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- The Heat: Space Exploration - CGTN America - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Time-Lapse Video Captures the Essence of Space Travel - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- TOP 4 Reasons to Return to the Moon - The Universe. Space. Tech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon Successfully Attaches to ISS Bringing Vital Research Payloads - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- End of an Era: Delta IV Heavy Makes Final Journey to the Stars - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Photography exhibition at the Mound delves into space exploration - The National - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Lunar Node 1: the trailblazing lunar beacon guiding NASA's future in space exploration - Boing Boing - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX's CRS-30 Mission: Delivering Innovations and Research to the ISS - yTech - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Remembering Tom Stafford, the Space Races Peacemaker (1930-2024) - AmericaSpace - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- 9 Hints That Kingdom Of The Planet Of The Apes Involves Space Travel - Screen Rant - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- NASA sends science projects and hardware aboard SpaceX's 30th resupply launch to ISS SatNews - SatNews - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- SpaceX Dragon Spacecraft Docks to Space Station With New Science and Supplies - SciTechDaily - March 24th, 2024 [March 24th, 2024]
- Moon Race 2.0: Why so many nations and private companies are aiming for lunar landings - BBC.com - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Selects Texas A&M As First Approved Exploration Park Facility - Texas A&M University Today - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Space Economy in 2024 - OODA Loop - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Opinion | It's an exciting time in space exploration. But U.S. leadership is at risk. - The Washington Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Experiment With Fire in Space Ends When Entire Spacecraft Burns Up - Futurism - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA Selects Texas A&M as First Approved Exploration Park Facility - NASA - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Ground-Based Lasers Could Accelerate Spacecraft to Other Stars - Universe Today - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- 8 Space Exploration Books to Add to Your TBR - Book Riot - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Meet the Elected Members of the African Space Council - Space in Africa - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- NASA working with Texas A&M to build new spaceflight research facilities - 25 News KXXV and KRHD - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Inflatable Habitats: Expanding Space Exploration - Lockheed Martin - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- China's Rising Ambitions in Space Exploration: Chang'e Missions and International Cooperation - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Pressured Space Exploration in Today's Era - Mirage News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Exoplanet Hunter Sets Its Sights on Jupiter: A New Twist in Space Exploration - SciTechDaily - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Frontier Aerospace TALOS Engines Used For Space Exploration - PR Newswire - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Exploring the Potential of Minimoons - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Understanding the Role of TRISH in Space Health and its Future Innovations - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Future of Satellite Refueling and In-Orbit Servicing - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Japan makes third attempt to launch next-gen rocket - Yahoo Singapore News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Uruguay becomes latest nation to join NASA's Artemis Accords - UPI News - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- An astronomer's lament: Satellite megaconstellations are ruining space exploration - The Conversation - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Asteroid Mining: A Glimpse into the Future - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Singapore's ESS and Australia's ELA Join Forces to Redefine Space Exploration - BNN Breaking - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Intuitive Machines makes history with lunar lander launch - InnovationMap - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The Potential of Minimoons in Interplanetary Exploration and Space Travel - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- In space exploration, Switzerland punches above its weight - SWI swissinfo.ch - SWI swissinfo.ch in English - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Odysseus Mission: Pioneering the Lunar Economy and Space Exploration - BNN Breaking - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Starlab Announces Leadership Team With new CEO and CFO - SpaceWatch.Global - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- The New Space Race: Private American Companies Compete to Land on the Moon - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Spectrum Advanced Manufacturing Technologies Plays Vital Role in NASA's Deep Space Optical Communications - PR Newswire - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Intuitive Machines Odyssey lunar lander to be launched early Wednesday - The Washington Post - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- New funding for space projects ensures the UK's role in global missions - Innovation News Network - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- SpaceX and Intuitive Machines Lunar Mission: Challenges, Expectations, and Future - Medriva - February 16th, 2024 [February 16th, 2024]
- Farewell to a NASA Hero: Apollo Astronaut Thomas K. Mattingly II Departs at 87 - SciTechDaily - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- NASA Welcomes Netherlands as Newest Artemis Accords Signatory - NASA - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- China's astronauts tend orbital garden to aid deep space exploration - Space.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- All-UK astronaut mission shows that private enterprise is vital to the ... - The Conversation Indonesia - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Former Astronaut Discusses Space Travel and Its Future With ... - Duke Today - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Returning astronauts to the moon is NASA's biggest challenge, but ... - Space.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Australias IPSEC Conference Shows Synergies Between the Space ... - Via Satellite - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Mice embryos successfully grown in space, a promising milestone ... - Salon - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Dava Newman talks Mars exploration and comunication - CMU The Tartan Online - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Science Fact or Fiction: Leveraging Space to Transform Medicine - Kennedy Space Center - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Now astronauts will not get lost in space - SAMAA - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Sci-fi inspired tractor beams are real, and could solve a major space ... - Livescience.com - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Mining Meets Space: Revolutionizing Industry Innovation with Cross ... - AZoMining - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Surf's up: Catch an atmospheric wave as ASU research team ... - ASU News Now - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]
- Ron Baron says Tesla's valuation can hit $4 trillion, but 'SpaceX has ... - Morningstar - November 4th, 2023 [November 4th, 2023]