THE BEST Astronauts

We all know that science fiction takes its share of liberties with its depiction of what life is like in space. In this clip from Vanity Fair, astronaut Chris Hadfield shares his thoughts on what movies like Gravity, Armageddon, The Martian, and Interstellar got right and wrong.

Designer VisualDon has created all kinds of wonderful video eye candy, including this emotive and calming image of an astronaut on an endless walk along the lunar surface as the Earth hangs in the distance. The video is available for free download for non-commercial use, or can be licensed for commercial use.

100 Astronauts is challenging space-themed card game, in which players compete to build the biggest colony. Combine materials to build structures, which allow your colony to grow. Then strategically trade cards to improve your chances or to sabotage your opponents.

Filling up an actual astronaut’s helmet with hot coffee sounds like a terrible idea. But these ceramic astronaut mugs make a bit more sense for your morning cuppa. Each one looks like a bubble-shaped helmet, complete with a shiny visor and handle in gold, black, or silver.

Too many sticky notes sprawled all over your desk? Keep your personal space organized with Fred’s moon-shaped corkboard and pin set. Each of its six pushpins look like tiny astronauts as they float above the lunar surface. Measures 7″ in diameter.

Add a little space to your desk with this whimsical lamp from Paladone. The tiny astronaut takes his space walk at the end of an adjustable gooseneck, as he floats above the lunar base below. Runs on USB or 3 AAA batteries, so it’s definitely just an accent light.

We can think of no better outfit to wear when go see the movie First Man than this space suit hoodie from GearHumans. It features a 3D photographic print of the suit astronaut Neil Armstrong wore during his Apollo 11 mission to the moon.

Directors Andrew Chesworth and Bobby Pontillas of TAIKO Studios present a heartfelt and beautifully animated short film about the trials and tribulations of a girl who hopes to grow up one day to become an astronaut.

Our best look yet at Damien Chazelle’s biopic about astronaut Neil Armstrong (played by Ryan Gosling), and the trials and tribulations of the years leading up to his landing on the moon. It’s no coincidence it’s being released in October, in time for year-end Oscar noms.

Director Martin Nabelek’s CGI short film is short on story, but big on atmosphere, as we are left to ponder just what this space explorer is doing, and what the universe has in store for him. Be sure to check out the equally compelling VFX breakdown reel.

David Ariew, Derrick Borte, and Michael Marquat of A Bad Think collaborated on this haunting music video about an astronaut’s journey through the cosmos. The song reminds us more than a little bit of Pink Floyd, and we mean that as the highest of compliments.

The latest wearable tech for astronauts, this custom-fit spacesuit weighs just 20 pounds, and is made from modern materials which improve mobility and comfort. The suit was designed for use on Boeing’s Starliner capsule, which is expected to transport a crew to the ISS in 2018.

ISS astronaut Scott Kelly demos a pair of special teflon-coated paddles which allow him to bounce a blob of water between them just like a ping pong ball. We’re guessing the slow motion movement through microgravity would make for some really long rallies.

Filmmaker Tom Kucy put together this soul-stirring short film using a mix of elements from NASA’s Apollo Archive, using a subtle technique called parallaxing to bring life to these serene scenes of space exploration. (Thanks Greg!)

Adam Savage loves to attend the San Diego Comic-Con in full costume. This year he went as a 2001: A Space Odyssey astronaut with a very special guest: retired astronaut Chris Hadfield. Skip to 9:50 for their “spacewalk.”

For the BBC’s Richard Hammond Builds a Universe, the Hamster gets the rare privilege of wearing a real pressurized NASA spacesuit, designed for the harsh conditions on Mars. He does look a bit like Buzz Lightyear in that thing.

Ever wanted to float in space like an astronaut? It turns out that it’s less like floating, and more like a free-fall in orbit around the Earth. Watch and learn in this short TedEd lesson from Matt J. Carlson, animated by Josh Harris.

Yes, we know we just posted a clip of Chris Hadfield earlier today, but we couldn’t resist posting this emotional clip sung by the Canadian astronaut on his final day on the International Space Station before returning to Earth.

Whether you’re a kid, or just a kid at heart, looking up at this satin nickel ceiling fixture will remind you of your dreams of being an astronaut. And just think, someday you really might live on Mars.

Australian painter Jeremy Geddes often uses space travelers in urban environments as a motif in his hyperreal/surreal work. The results are amazing dreamlike images like these.