Local Spotlight: Exploratorium exhibit explores life in space
SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) -- The Exploratorium's summer exhibition, "Life in Space," explores the challenges of human survival beyond Earth and the ongoing search for evidence of extraterrestrial life, offering visitors an interactive look at space exploration, technology and the future of living and working in space.
The exhibition comes amid renewed public interest in space exploration, fueled in part by NASA's Artemis missions.
This space has been in the zeitgeist in American culture since 1969. That's one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind.
It really does.
Spark a sense of wonder and awe. There's been new interest in space, especially the Artemis missions.
"So we're really moving back into real space. We thought it was timely to do an exhibit that talks about all of that," said Director of Temporary Exhibitions Allison Roach.
"Life in Space is our summer exhibition. We're really looking at the efforts to create the ability and conditions for humans to live and work in space, as well as the search for evidence of life in space," Roach said.
The exhibit examines the technological and scientific questions surrounding space habitation while encouraging visitors to think critically about humanity's future beyond Earth.
"We build exhibits and experiences here to help people ask questions, question answers, and really just explore the world around them," said Chief Science Officer Rob Semper.
"What we're doing at the Exploratorium is investigating two sides of the excitement around space. One is the eternal question that we've had looking up to the stars. Is there life in outer space? And the other side of the question, now with all the technological advances, is: do humans belong in space? And if so, how might we survive, if not even thrive up there?" said Program Director of Public Programs Sam Sharkland.
Visitors first encounter displays focused on the hazards of space, including radiation, extreme temperatures and the vacuum environment beyond Earth. The exhibition also features replica spacesuits from the Apollo and Mercury eras.
"Such a different environment than what we're used to. How do we survive? Because it's not as easy as it looks in some of the movies. It is very, very difficult," said Program Manager Michelle Sweany.
Kaitlin McArdle, lead exhibit developer, described one demonstration focused on the importance of spacesuits and atmospheric conditions.
"Space suits are an incredibly important way that astronauts are able to survive out in space. The vacuum of space is really bad for you and your body. So here you can see we have a little friend inside of our faux space suit here, and one who's not wearing a space suit. So when we take away the air that's inside of this container, you can see that the inside pressure is trying to make its way out as much as it can. So if you go to a different planet that has a different type of atmosphere, the density, the temperature, the actual chemical makeup of that atmosphere will change how the sound is coming across. So at this exhibit here, you can actually see how familiar sounds would sound in different environments, how Beethoven's symphony sounds in different places," McArdle said.
Because gravity cannot be replicated indoors, the Exploratorium also created exhibits that simulate some of the challenges astronauts face in microgravity.
"We can't turn off gravity in the Exploratorium, but we have made some exhibits that explore what it's like to do daily activities without the Earth's gravitational pull," Roach said.
One interactive display, Floating Puzzle, allows visitors to test their ability to complete a simple task while objects constantly drift out of place, mimicking conditions in space. The exhibition also includes video and imagery showing how astronauts eat, move and use tools in low-gravity environments.
"What it's like to eat in space, what it's like to move around, what it's like to use tools. We've been looking for extraterrestrial life, life on other planets," Semper said.
The exhibition also examines humanity's fascination with extraterrestrial life and features "Imagine Aliens," an installation by artist Bettina Forge.
"And I think popular culture speaks to this in science fiction literature, movies, and other ways that we gravitate towards those stories of, is there other intelligent life out there?" Semper said.
"I'm at Imagine Aliens by artist Bettina Forge. This installation invites visitors in to imagine what alien life might look like. Imagine outside of the box of little green and gray men. Now that you've gone through and seen some of the challenges of whether humans can live in space, we're inviting visitors to think about whether you should live in space. We accomplish that through having some experiences that look towards how we've conceived of space colonization. And we have habitation models that look at how we would shield people or living environments from the hazards of living on Mars or the moon," Roach said.
Beyond the exhibition floor, the Exploratorium plans related programming, including lectures, artist appearances, films and adults-only After Dark events.
"At events like After Dark, it's Thursday night for adults only; we have lectures, we have artist presence, and drinks and music for people to enjoy to really get people on the flow of exploring the space," Sharkland said.
Museum officials said membership offers opportunities for repeat visits and access to additional programming throughout the exhibition's run.
There's a whole slate of incredible movies that folks will get to enjoy on Sunday mornings throughout the entire exhibition.
"It's a great reason to be a member: free popcorn. I love that people are learning. I love to watch the aha moments. You go home with it, well, that was really fun, but you did learn something, and I love we're a part of that," Sweany said.
