What is in a name? Perceived identity, classification, philosophy, and implied duty of the ‘astronaut’.

Sara Langston, Sarah Jane Pell

MULTILINGUAL ASTRONAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY SYMPOSIUM (E8) Multilingual Astronautical Terminology (1)

Abstract

Various cultural-specific names and labels are assigned to someone who travels to space. Some familiar names include: astronaut, cosmonaut, taikonaut, y h ́ang yu ́an (”space navigating personnel”), t`ai kng r ́en (”spaceman”), as well as Citizen Astronaut, civilian astronaut, space tourist and spaceflight participant. But what is in a name? What are the philosophical and cultural values that are applied in identifying ‘astronaut’? Why are we identifying them accordingly? What are the implications of these labels, on a social, moral and legal level? Moreover, how do spacefaring individuals identify themselves in comparison with popular perceptions? The complexity of ideas and interrelationships raised here may benefit greatly from a visual represen- tation. In creating a mandala that serves as a tool for visualising this research-as-design, we will highlight these label identifications and classifications from predominant poetic, legal and aesthetic perspectives. Distinctions in labels and concepts change depending on the classification of the space activity, chrono- logical time and culture. Consequently, the implications of the role may also vary implicating associated ethical and legal duties. This poster will collate and demonstrate some of these fundamental concepts and interpretations of ‘astronaut’ from an interdisciplinary and multicultural approach. This visual framework serves to contribute substantive content on these issues while encouraging further discussion on the evolv- ing nature and interrelationship between names and consequences, philosophy and practice, providing both a historical and modern account of the term ‘astronaut.’

This paper (IAC-14,E8,1,6,x22445) was presented during the 65th IAC in Toronto, CA. MULTILINGUAL ASTRONAUTICAL TERMINOLOGY SYMPOSIUM (E8) Multilingual Astronautical Terminology (1). It was selected for publication in the IAA peer-reviewed journal Acta Astronautica 2015.

Copyright © 2014 International Astronautical Association IAA. All rights reserved.

A Case for an Extreme Art Toolkit.

Sarah Jane Pell

25th SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE ACTIVITY AND SOCIETY (E5) Contemporary Arts Practice and Outer Space: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach (4)

Abstract

To boldly go, is 'one giant leap'. To boldly stay, is 'one elegant dance' that we must learn. To develop the imaginative arc required for bold exploration in time with technology transfer, we need not be looking how to follow, but how to lead. This paper presents a case for the urgent development on an eXtreme Art Toolkit for use in space, as a critical step in our adaptation and embrace of space. Public and private space actors are increasingly preparing accessible and creative interactions including simulation environments and Earth-based analogue training environments for future engagements in space. These facilities enable humanity the opportunity to adapt to, and prepare for, this new domain. Contemporary artists are also creatively exploring the technological and human domains of spaceflight, exploiting simulation and analogue environments and increasingly contributing towards a citizen-space-readiness program in experimental yet significant ways. Historically artists have been critical catalysts and thought-leaders in the development of a global consciousness towards human spaceflight and exploration. Artists today continue to intermesh the state-of-the-art with avante guarde aesthetics, politics and societal imaginings building predictive and speculative fictions for new worlds. They do so for example, by exploring data streams, collaborating with science, accessing space hardware and training facilities from ZeroG flights to Neutral Buoyancy Labs. Such interactions offer an opportunity for research, investigation and exchange. There is increasing evidence that artists not only derive inspiration from space, but they also contribute new forms of exploration and discovery through practice-based-research, poetics, aesthetics and innovation. An arts-inclusve approach to space mission architecture and design is therefore logical if not vital for the future of human spaceflight and exploration. The author presents an overview of the development and demonstration of a prototype eXtreme Arts Toolkit to support this approach. The project is being developed for immediate use on Earth - from Sea 2014 to Summit 2015 - and positioned as a provocative design tool to inspire discussion about further supporting, enabling and encouraging human expression and future creative interactions in space. The longview aim, is to develop the hardware for artistic use at the ISS in 2016/2017.

This paper (IAC-14,E5,4,8,x22459) was submitted to the 65th IAC in Toronto, CA. 25th SYMPOSIUM ON SPACE ACTIVITY AND SOCIETY (E5) Contemporary Arts Practice and Outer Space: A Multi-Disciplinary Approach (4)

Copyright © 2014 International Astronautical Federation www.iafastro.org. All rights reserved.

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