Nature Podcast
’Rapture and beauty’: a writer's portrait of the International Space Station
Nov 8, 2024
Samantha Harvey, author of the Booker Prize shortlisted novel Orbital, sets her narrative aboard an International Space Station-like vessel. She delves into the contrasts astronauts face, balancing the awe of space with daily life’s mundanity. Harvey discusses how distance offers new insights on climate change and humanity's vulnerability against nature. She emphasizes the emotional depth of astronauts, urging a deeper connection to their journeys and the importance of environmental stewardship.
26:23
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Quick takeaways
- Samantha Harvey's novel captures the daily lives of astronauts, highlighting the beauty and challenges of life on the International Space Station.
- The narrative interweaves personal astronaut experiences with global themes like climate change, emphasizing humanity's responsibility for Earth's vulnerabilities.
Deep dives
Exploring Life on a Space Station
The narrative focuses on a fictional 24-hour period aboard a space station, which mirrors the reality of life in low Earth orbit. It follows the daily experiences of four astronauts and two cosmonauts as they navigate the unique contrasts of their environment, balancing both the extraordinary and the mundane aspects of their lives. This approach emphasizes that a space station, often seen as a distant and alien place, serves as a domestic environment where daily routines unfold. The setting allows for an exploration of how human beings adapt to and find meaning in both the confinement of space and the vastness beyond.
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