Astronauts' Melodious Tune at Landing Site
In the realm of contemporary literature, Samantha Harvey's novel "Orbital" stands out as a captivating exploration of the human condition in the unique setting of the International Space Station (ISS). The book, which won the 2024 Booker Prize unanimously, offers a compelling portrayal of an ordinary day in the ISS, intertwining science and literature in a manner that sheds light on our world from a cosmic perspective.
Set 400 kilometers above the Earth's surface, the ISS, with its old, dented, and cracked exterior, serves as an old hostel for its six current inhabitants, including two women and four men. The novel describes the station as a place where the rapid succession of dark and light creates a sense of intoxication, reflecting the passage of time in this extraordinary environment.
The ISS crew's daily routine includes meals, research, and maintenance activities, all of which are meticulously described in the novel. One of the most striking aspects of life on the ISS, as portrayed in "Orbital", is the sense of solitude and disorientation. Astronauts ponder whether they are heroes or fools, questioning the arrogance of their "phallic spacecraft" launched into space.
The novel delves into the astronauts' introspection, exploring their fascination, distraction, self-love, and self-hatred while in space. One thought expresses, "There is no center, only a vertiginous mass of dancing things." The ISS crew also experiences moments of profound beauty, such as observing the auroras from the station, which appear as a trapped creature.
The crew's contemplation of humanity's impact on Earth is particularly poignant. They witness a hurricane charging with unprecedented violence, a stark reminder of the fragility of our planet from their lofty vantage point. The novel transcribes these thoughts and intertwines them with the appearance of the northern and southern constellations, the flow of Earth's enchanting landscapes.
The ISS crew's interactions with each other are also a central theme in the novel. They depend on each other for survival, sharing air, drinking purified urine, and brushing against each other in the corridors. The novel includes a scene where astronaut Chie, a Japanese woman, reveals that her mother has died, offering a glimpse into the personal lives of these cosmic explorers.
Despite several online rumours about a Japanese astronaut named Chie living on the ISS, there is no verifiable information to support this claim. The available search results mention a scam involving a fake astronaut persona but do not provide any real astronaut named Chie.
In "Orbital", Harvey draws inspiration from classical works such as those of Lucretius, Dante, and Leonardo, infusing her narrative with beautiful geographical and meteorological descriptions. The novel demonstrates how science and literature can interpenetrate and complement each other in understanding the world, offering a thought-provoking and engaging reading experience.
As the ISS completes sixteen orbits in twenty-four hours, moving from one Pole to the other each time, and plunging at over 27,000 kilometers per hour, it serves as a testament to human ingenuity and ambition. Through "Orbital", Harvey invites readers to join the ISS crew on their journey, offering a unique perspective on our world and our place in the cosmos.
Read also:
- Inadequate supply of accessible housing overlooks London's disabled community
- Strange discovery in EU: Rabbits found with unusual appendages resembling tentacles on their heads
- Duration of a Travelling Blood Clot: Time Scale Explained
- Fainting versus Seizures: Overlaps, Distinctions, and Proper Responses
