Science Friday

‘Orbital’ Imagines The Inner Lives Of Astronauts On The ISS

Jan 21, 2025

Samantha Harvey, an acclaimed author known for her Booker Prize-winning novel Orbital, chats with former NASA astronaut Katie Coleman. They explore the profound impact of living on the ISS, including the emotional toll of isolation and viewing 16 sunrises a day. Harvey discusses her inspiration for writing during lockdown, while Coleman shares the challenges of articulating the unique experience of space. They also reflect on the legacy of the ISS and how literature can bridge the gap between science and the human experience in space exploration.

21:51

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Episode guests

Samantha Harvey

Katie Coleman

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Episode notes

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Quick takeaways

Samantha Harvey's novel captures the intricate balance of extraordinary experiences and mundane daily life of astronauts on the ISS.

Dr. Cady Coleman's insights emphasize the unique, personal nature of each astronaut's journey and the challenge of sharing those experiences with loved ones.

Deep dives

Imagining Life in Space

The podcast explores the deep contrasts between experiencing life in space and merely imagining it. Samantha Harvey, the author of a novel set on the International Space Station (ISS), reveals that while she has researched extensively, her feelings as someone who has not experienced space travel influence her writing. She discusses her challenge in translating the awe and wonder of observing Earth from space into relatable words, noting the difficulty in conveying the extraordinary moments against the backdrop of mundane daily life. The exchange highlights how such imaginative work can evoke emotion and insight, helping people on Earth grasp the complexities of the astronaut experience.

Intro

4min

Capturing the Cosmic Experience

8min

The Mythical Lives of Astronauts: A Journey of Access and Connection

4min

The Intersection of Literature and Science in Space Exploration

2min

Reflections on the Legacy of the International Space Station

4min

From down here on Earth, life on the International Space Station seems magnificent: floating through the day, enjoying stunning views out your window, having an experience only a handful of other people will ever get.

But what’s it really like to live up there? How does experiencing 16 sunrises and 16 sunsets every day change your perception of time? How do you cope with being so far from the people you love?

Those are some of the questions explored in the novel Orbital, which won the Booker Prize late last year. In the book, author Samantha Harvey imagines the inner life of astronauts aboard the ISS.

Host Flora Lichtman is joined by Samantha Harvey, along with astronaut Dr. Cady Coleman, who spent almost six months on the Space Station, and is an author herself. They talk about the unexpected mundanities of living in space, how Harvey was inspired to write the book during lockdown, and how astronauts make sense of their new reality when separated from the rest of humanity.

Transcripts for each segment will be available after the show airs on sciencefriday.com.

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Science Friday

‘Orbital’ Imagines The Inner Lives Of Astronauts On The ISS

Episode guests

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

Deep dives

Imagining Life in Space

The Challenges of Expression

The Intersection of Art and Science

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts