Space2ISS: Invader’s Second Invasion of Space in ISS
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The famous video game referenced in the artist's name, Space Invader, or Invader, creates Invasions from space that gradually infiltrate our society through his artistic mosaics. In 2012, Invader sent his first mosaic to space in the Art4Space Project, which was based in Miami. Later, it developed into the Space2ISS Project, the second and more permanent version of an invasion of space. Some may call it the SPACE_02 mosaic.Aanyways, let’s get into it.
The Opportunity
Two years before the actual launch, members of the European Space Agency discovered that Invader managed to send a mosaic into space without much external help during the Art4Space screening. Thus, they offered to support this project with ESA’s (European Space Agency) capital and install one of the mosaics in the International Space Station (ISS). However, it is unsure which exact screening Invader was mentioning because of the many places the initial project had been screened at, such as Miami, Brussels, Paris, London, New York, Tokyo…
Of course, Invader accepted ESA’s invitation, and in his own words, “a real assault course begins”.
What is the ISS?
The International Space Station (ISS) is a collaborative effort between the USA, Russia, Japan, Canada, and Europe. Crews of up to six astronauts conduct research into life, physical sciences and its applications, and prepare for future human exploration missions. The station is the biggest object ever flown in space, and it covers an area as big as a football pitch. The ISS flies at an altitude of approximates 260 miles (400 kilometers) at a speed of 17.700 mph. Despite its size, the weightless laboratory only takes 90 minutes to make a complete circuit around the Earth. An interesting fact, the astronauts working and living on the Station experience 16 sunrises and sunsets daily.
The Installation
On July 29, 2014, the green light was given. SPACE_02 mosaic was authorized to take off on the Ariane 5 rocket, with the ATV-5 (Automated Transfer Vehicle 5) separated as uncrewed cargo.
Later that year, on November 23, 2014, an Italian flight engineer, Samantha Cristoforetti, took off to the ISS in the Soyuz TMA-15M flight along with two other astronauts. She installed the mosaic on the wall of the Columbus module laboratory in the ISS, being the first work of art exhibited in space. According to the ESA, it was placed in January 2015; but Invader claimed that it was precisely on March 12th. We have no proof of which date was correct.
Now
Originally, SPACE_02 was placed right next to the OVHD (overhead) sign, but it was moved slightly from a recent post on ISS’s official Instagram. At least, it persists in its course around the Earth and completes its 16 orbits per day.
Interestingly, its position can be followed live from the world invasion page. In addition, if the ISS flies over your head you can now flash it by taking a picture directly at the sky with FlashInvaders. You may even see it as a bright dot if you’re lucky, but because of the speed of the ISS, it is unlikely in broad daylight.
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We do not own any copyrights to the photos used
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All rights reserved ~ We do not own any copyrights to the photos used ~
