Space Nation Orbit

29/09/2018

The environment of Northern Iceland is very similar to that of the Moon, with volcanic geology and a lack of vegetation, so the NASA explorers felt that Iceland was a perfect location for their field studies in the 1960s.

The Exploration Museum celebrates the space history of the region, and the owner, Örlygur Hnefill Örlygsson, has led expeditions to various remote parts of Iceland with people such as Apollo astronauts Walter Cunningham, Rusty Schweikart and Harrison Schmitt. Even Bill Anders returned to revisit the locations he trained in back in the 1960s.

Read more at Orbit!

The Exploration Museum in Iceland offers a behind-the-scenes peek at the astronaut training of the Apollo missions, as well as the human drive to explore the unknown.

25/09/2018

Jökulsárlón lake in Iceland is formed by the melting glaciers, and the lake and surrounds has starred in movies like A View to a Kill, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Batman Begins, and more: it seems there’s no better place on Earth to evoke this unique atmosphere of being very, very far from home.

Gazing around you see low mossy slopes, black sand, rocks and lava remnants, a weird mix of a moon-like wasteland and volcanic wilds.

Read more about moonlike Iceland!



https://orbit.spacenation.org/jokulsarlon-iceland-floating-moon/

Explorations at the glacier lagoon in the Vatnajökull National Park on the southern coast of Iceland.

24/09/2018

Living On The Moon: A Visual Story of Iceland

https://orbit.spacenation.org/visual-story-iceland-moon-hierck/

Photographer Martin Hierck captures spectacular images of everyday people and striking space-like landscapes on Earth.

14/08/2018

Before the Apollo mission to the Moon, before those seismic small steps and giant leaps, Neil Armstrong and 30 other astronauts underwent field training in Iceland. In total, 9 of the 12 astronauts who would set foot on the Moon trained in Iceland. The first mission took place in 1965 and the second in 1967.

So of course - when Space Nation wanted to do their first astronaut training experience - it got to be in Iceland!



https://orbit.spacenation.org/iceland-apollo-astronauts/

Before the Apollo mission to the Moon, Neil Armstrong and 30 other Apollo astronauts underwent field training in Iceland. In total, 9 of the 12 astronauts who would set foot on the Moon trained in Iceland. The first mission took place in 1965 and the second in 1967.

13/08/2018

66°North Outdoor Clothing Tested During Space Nation Iceland Astronaut Training Adventure.



https://orbit.spacenation.org/66north-outdoor-clothing-tested-astronaut-training/

11/08/2018

Seems like IKEA is becoming one of the global retailers that will fully embrace the space lifestyle in the future. IKEA is on its way to make a real difference in multiple ways, for example by working to start using recycled and/or renewable materials in all of their plastic products and stopping using single-use plastic products.

IKEA and Neste to collaborate on the first large-scale production of renewable, bio-based polypropylene plastic globally.

01/08/2018

STEM: How To Mold Your Child Into A Future Engineer

Tools to foster a curiosity in STEM at every phase of childhood development.

24/07/2018

The Meaning of Individuals: Atoms in the Void.

While science fascinates itself with the pursuit of the last division of space, which I will here call the “atom” (regardless of its subatomic brethren), human interest fascinates itself with the pursuit of the last division of the human—the particle of the self, the “individual,” beyond which one can, again, seemingly go no further. Or can it?

What, really, is an individual? Are individuals and atoms necessarily restless in the face of nothingness?

23/07/2018

Socrates is famous for having said that, “the unexamined life is not worth living.” Disoriented from its context, the line sounds like a pointless platitude, worthy of a refrigerator magnet. Gwenda-lin examines the quote more.

Socrates says,

19/07/2018

Created in the early 18th century by a science-loving Maharaja, India’s “Jantar Mantar” made remarkably precise measurements of the sun, moon, planets and time.

La Carmina takes you inside India’s Celestial Observatories, Jantar Mantar!

https://orbit.spacenation.org/inside-indias-celestial-observatories-jantar-mantar/

La Carmina explores Jantar Mantar, India, in our Space on Earth series.

17/07/2018

It wasn’t that long ago that the idea of having a personal robot was fantastically inconceivable as we watched them project messages to humans, assist in flying space crafts, and serve as in-home assistants through movies and television shows.

Here’s a look at peek at the future and a few things that we can expect from in-home robots in the near future.

https://orbit.spacenation.org/4-cool-things-home-robots-can-near-future/

Several ways that robots can improve our lives in the present, or very near future.

16/07/2018

A visit to Jordan just wouldn’t be complete without visiting the vast, enchanting desert lands of Wadi Rum - looks like life on Mars!

The desserts of Wadi Rum in Jordan are a great backdrop for a Mars-like experience without leaving planet Earth.

13/07/2018

Knowing how to reuse and recycle is not enough in order to save the mothership Earth. Climate change is a severe threat, and we need to stop over-consuming natural resources and learn to use them more efficiently by designing materials for products that can have second or even third life.

Read how in Finland they are creating fashion from the forest - Pulp-based textile fibers can be a real solution for more sustainable textiles.

Wood is suitable for nearly anything that can be made from fossil raw materials - also for textile fibers. Finnish forest group is leading the way for creating pulp-based textile fibers.

11/07/2018

Cultural understanding is an important astronaut skill. And sometimes you can understand a culture by examining its children's literature.

Read about discovering Finnish mindscape through the Moomins.

Moomins can teach us a lot about the minds of Finns, and also some advice about how to get along with all humankind.

09/07/2018

Space travel seems to involve exiting planet Earth and finding oneself in some liminal orbit. But where exactly is “outer” space? The very word “outer” suggests that it is not contained in visible boundaries. If we don’t know where outer space is, how do we know what space we are currently inside?

Where is

07/07/2018

Sustainable living is living space lifestyle, and it encompasses everything in your life. Even your beauty regimen!

Here are 16 Top Ethical Beauty Brands That Bloggers Love.
Is your favorite brand on the list?

A list of Earth-friendly, skin-friendly beauty products that our favorite travel bloggers love to use!

06/07/2018

If you do not know anything about the quantum mysteries of the early 20th century, imagine a scientist confronting phenomena that indicate sub-atomic particles are communicating with one another from a distance, or that they are behaving like waves when they are left alone and like billiard balls when they are measured.

Such puzzles forced science into an epistemological quandary: Is reality itself indeterminate?

A Note on David Bohm’s Quantum Theory

https://orbit.spacenation.org/note-david-bohms-quantum-theory/

What Is Real? The Unfinished Quest for Meaning in Quantum Physics is a new book about an old debate: does Niels Bohr and his “Copenhagen Interpretation” of quantum theory tell the whole story?

05/07/2018

Are you visiting London this summer?

5 Activities in London Space & Tech Lovers Shouldn’t Miss.

London has a wealth of museums and festivals for space, tech, and science enthusiasts.

02/07/2018

Watch the Space Nation Iceland Adventure teaser with our own Nienke! She has already started sharing her stories from Iceland - have you been reading them at Orbit?

28/06/2018

Are you traveling to Universal Studios this summer?

If you are a sci-fi nerd or perhaps a member of a family or tribe of sci-fi nerds, you might already be familiar with the wonderland of Universal Studios, Florida. It is a veritable haven of bliss for sci-fi lovers who want to leave the house and engage in a shared activity, a mere three days in the park afforded plentiful shared experiences and practically limitless fodder for future family bonding conversations.

https://orbit.spacenation.org/thrill-seeking-sci-fi-fan-guide-universal-studios-florida/

A few of the sci-fi themed thrill rides at Universal Studios, Florida.

26/06/2018

Looking up into the night sky inspires curiosity at every age and there are many opportunities to turn the spirit of inquiry into learning.

Modern tools make it easier than ever for beginners to develop an appreciation of astronomy. Read these five ways to become knowledgeable about constellations, stars, and planets.

https://orbit.spacenation.org/inspiring-love-space-closer-look-sky/

A beginners guide to learning astronomy.

25/06/2018

How to Use Wearable Tech Like a NASA Researcher!

If you’re one of the millions of people with wearable technology devices such as a Fitbit, Jawbone, or an Apple Watch, you may be steps away from improving more than just your exercise habits. The key is not just the data we receive about our health and habits from our devices, but how we use it to understand the ways that changes in our health and habits affect the other areas of our life.

Wearable technology keeps astronauts and Earthlings healthy and safe.

21/06/2018

AlexAlexGalaxy interviewing participants at the Yuri's Night Los Angeles party. See who all she found at the party!

16/06/2018

Stay tuned for the Space Nation Iceland Adventure web series!

Meanwhile, download the Space Nation Navigator app and start training your astronaut skills.

https://www.spacenationnavigator.com/

16/06/2018

Living On The Moon: A Visual Story of Iceland

Photographer Martin Hierck captures spectacular images of everyday people and striking space-like landscapes on Earth.

15/06/2018

In the 1960’s, the world was eager to explore life beyond our atmosphere. The very idea captivated the imaginations of everyone from school children to scientists, and of course, artists.

Here are our 10 favorite songs for a swingin’ Old Space Era Playlist!

https://orbit.spacenation.org/soundtrack-old-space-era/

In the 1960's, the idea of space travel inspired countless creatives. Here are some of our favorite songs from the first Space Era.

14/06/2018

Engineering is an expansive subject that contains a vast number of specialties whose contributions to society makes life more awesome.

You may be familiar with mechanical, electrical, aerospace, and civil engineering, but with a knowledge of fundamentals in engineering, there are limitless opportunities to shape the future. Here’s a look at three different careers that use engineering in surprising ways.

Three interesting career paths in the field of engineering.

13/06/2018

For parents, it is important that children are inspired to learn and explore in a variety of ways, from an early age. For teachers, it is often a struggle to give adequate classroom instruction time to STEM concepts, in addition to other required subjects.

Thanks to technology, innovative children’s authors, astronauts who are very cool and genuine people, and an organization called Storytime from Space, space enthusiasts of any age can watch astronauts read picture books while in space.

https://orbit.spacenation.org/kids-dream-big-bedtime-stories-astronauts/

Storytime from Space gives everyone access to a real life astronaut, via YouTube.

13/06/2018

Are you already using the Space Nation Navigator app?
Did you know that you can read the latest posts from Orbit in the app?

Download it now:
https://spacenationnavigator.com/

12/06/2018

The best thing about science and technology is the ways it can improve our lives on Earth. It is always exciting to have medical breakthroughs, some of the more “every day problems” can be solved by science too!

We haven’t been able to slow the passage of time, but we can look our best at any age, with a little help!

Here are a few beauty gadgets that can help with common self-care woes.

Technology has brought us several gadgets to enhance beauty. We can thank science for help with acne, wrinkles, and unwanted hair.

11/06/2018

What do you know about physics? This particular branch of science has to do with the nature and properties of matter and energy. Maybe you avoided taking physics class in school, but even though you may not be able to describe how physics is used to calculate the age of the universe, physics is at work in our daily lives. Fundamental principles of physics such as energy, motion, and forces govern the world around us and are present in ways you might not expect.

Here are three surprising places you’ll find them at work in your daily life.

A few ways that the laws of physics are present in our daily lives at home.

10/06/2018

The Metropolitan Museum of Art has a stunning new exhibit: “Heavenly Bodies: Fashion and the Catholic Imagination.”

https://orbit.spacenation.org/sacred-investment/

When sacred vestments are designer investments, is fashion sneaking in the back door of religion?

09/06/2018

Space on Earth: Easter Island, Land of Moai and Alien Landscapes

The mysterious statues on Easter Island inspire alien fantasies.

09/06/2018

We can't wait to watch the First Man movie!

But remember.. Astronaut experiences aren’t limited to the movies, you can train like one from our own phone. Download the Space Nation Navigator now: https://spacenationnavigator.com/

08/06/2018

For some, the idea of “math” conjures up feelings of fear, dread, and confusion. But, despite how you feel about algebra, geometry, trigonometry, calculus, differential equations, and the myriad of mathematical topics you may have been subjected to in school, math is all around us.

Here are a few mathematical concepts that you can embrace (not fear!) and examples of ways they appear in our daily lives.

Many people have a math phobia, but happily, you might already be using math skills to win at life.