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The Suitability of the Cosmic Stones in the Space Environment
Material Aspects
Other than the obvious weight and logistical characteristics of the Cosmic Stones selected for spaceflight, there appears to be no technical obstacles to their eventual manifestations on spacecraft, space habitats or placement on the surfaces of other planetary bodies.
This picture of asteroid 951 Gaspra was obtained
by the Galileo spacecraft during its approach
to the asteroid on 29 October, 1991. Photo: ESA
Indeed, the geomorphic shapes of the Cosmic Stones - formed by the terrestrial natural forces on planet Earth share a interesting "Correspondence" with other celestial entities. They exhibit a striking similarity to asteroids which have been eroded, not by water and wind, but by numerous impacts from other asteroidal materials. Likewise a liquid substance such as water in weightlessness forms itself into a rounded bio-morphical form due to the attractive force of surface tension of the water molecules.
A globule of water next to the Cosmic Dancer sculpture
on the Mir space station. 1993
Concerning their suitability for integration in crewed environments such as space stations and future interplanetary spacecraft, the material of the Cosmic Stones is non-flammable and durable. The edges of stones are blunt and rounded.
The acrylic paints which will be used are Lascaux Artists Paints which have been tested by the Russian space agency for their approved use in the closed environment of a crewed space habitat (Mir space station). These paints exhibited no toxic out gassing or other issues. Lascaux paints were used for the Cosmic Dancer sculpture [1] flown to the Mir in 1993 and on the twenty artworks selected for the Ars Ad Astra project sent to Mir as a part of the ESA Euromir95 mission.
Preparation of the Cosmic Dancer sculpture at
Kayser-Threde GmbH, Munich, Germany
The Cosmic Stones selected for spaceflight to a crewed habitat will receive a final varnish consisting of a two-component epoxy coating which will enable the Cosmic Stones to be sterilized with alcohol in order to prevent the introduction of bacteria and fungi into the space habitat - a process that was employed by the German Aerospace Company Kayser-Threde GmbH in the preparation of the Cosmic Dancer sculpture for transport to the Mir space station in 1993.
Psychological Aspects
It has been shown and reported that astronauts and cosmonauts on long duration mission in Earth orbit specifically appreciate the presence of objects that bear a strong relationship to the home planet. The color, form and the tactile qualities of art objects sharing the somewhat cramped living quarters of the crews are also very important characteristics.
Cosmonaut Alexander Polischuk speaking about the qualities of the Cosmic Dancer sculpture on the Mir space station in 1993:
"When the Progress arrived and we unwrapped the sculpture we were very pleased as it was like we saw an old acquaintance. But we were quite surprised as the color of the sculpture was different than the training model - it was green! But it was maybe even better so. The combination of the light green and yellow color has a more calming effect and this is very important for us in stress situations."
"One can see in this figure any being one wants. Therefore it is interesting to enjoy looking at it and to hold it in ones hands. When holding it in ones hands, one caresses it and feels a cozy feeling, as if one would hold a living being. We think that such art works are not only important to the artists who send them into space but also for us cosmonauts who simply feel the presence of a little artwork as comfortable." [2]
Cosmic Dancer Sculpture
Cosmonaut A. Polischuk with sculpture on the Mir Space Station (1993)
35 x 35 x 40 cm, 1 kilogram
ESA astronaut Thomas Reiter speaking about Ars Ad Astra: The 1st Art Exhibition in Earth Orbit .- Mir Space Station/Transinne, Belgium link-up, November 30, 1995
".....and let me tell you that there are many things here on board which keep us alive, of course technical systems which produce oxygen to breathe, water to drink which clean the air from carbon dioxide, food and all these things which help to keep us alive, life support systems. But I can tell you that this kind of thing (he holds up a painting) are a part of what is necessary to keep us alive, to keep the memory to the Earth, to our families, to our friends, to the nature." [3]
The Cosmic Stones are artworks that seem especially suited for integration in crewed environments in space as they:
- are art objects that are in the midst of their own particular journey which began hundreds if not thousands of years before in the fundament of the home planet where they were given their present shape by the natural forces of Earth;
- have been endowed with numinous qualities inspired by insights into the nature of the universe derived from our explorations into the microcosmos,
- are composed of a benign and non-flammable material,
- their shapes are blunt and rounded,
- utilized art materials that can be considered as "space qualified" by their use on previous space missions involving crewed environments,
- can be easily sterilized to prevent bacterial or fungal infections,
- are finished in an artistic manner that combines aspects of color, form and tactility that would appear to be psychologically beneficial to human crews on missions in Earth orbit and beyond.
Artist's Conception of a Cosmic Stone on the International Space Station (ISS)
The Cosmic Stones also appear to be suitable artifacts to take to and leave as human markers on other celestial bodies in the Solar System such as the Moon or Mars. Their inert composition endow the Cosmic Stones with qualities of durability and ease of handling. Likewise, with proper preparation and sterilization procedures any biological contamination risk to extra-terrestrial environments can be minimized. Special UV resistant varnishes will be used to reduce or hinder the effects of UV radiation that will impose a deteriorating effect on the acrylic paints in the long term. Personal experience with outdoor sculptures painted in this manner has shown an acceptable terrestrial life-span of plus twenty years. The effect of extreme temperature fluctuations on the painted surface needs to be examined in more detail and such an investigation would be integrated into any feasibility study once a launch opportunity to another celestial body becomes defined.
Artist's Conception of a Cosmic Stone placed on Mars
References
- 1993 Arthur R. Woods, The Cosmic Dancer: Sculpture and the Absence of Gravity - March 21-27, Published in LEONARDO 26, No 4. pp. 297-301.
- 1994 Arthur R. Woods, Art In Space: The Spaceflight of the Cosmic Dancer Sculpture - Article published in Earth Space Review. Vol. 3. No. 2. April-June. Also cover of same issue. See also: www.cosmicdancer.com/comments.html
- 1995 Arthur R. Woods, Ars ad Astra: A Cultural Experiment on EUROMIR 95, Paper IAA-95-IAA.8.2.04 presented at the 46th International Astronautical Congress, Oslo, Norway, October 2-6.
What are Cosmic Stones?
Origins of the Cosmic Stones in my Art
The Cosmic Stones as Art Objects
The Suitability of the Cosmic Stones in the Space Environment
Our Future: Will it be a "Space Age" or a "Stone Age"?
The Cosmic Stones Project as an Art Catalyst of the Space Age
Project Development and Implementation
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