Awesome Space

This incredibly detailed model of the Space Shuttle Atlantis resides at Minimundus, a theme park in Klagenfurt, Austria. The model isn’t just static – the shuttle has a full countdown sequence and actually “lifts off,” without leaving the ground.

Because it’s in synchronous rotation with our planet, the Moon always faces Earth on one side, aka the near side. But thanks to the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter, NASA was able to map the far side of the Moon.

Alphonse Swinehart illustrates the sheer enormity of our Solar System by showing in real time how long it takes for light to reach from the Sun to Jupiter, even though it travels at 186,287 miles per second. Aaaaand 43 minutes later…

The music video for Dawn Richard’s hypnotic electro-R&B track Tide: the Paradox Effect. Despite its simple premise – a female warrior marching through a fiery interstellar backdrop – We Were Monkeys‘ visuals are truly spectacular.

Photographer Lance Page creates a unique (and literal) spin on the astronomical time-lapse film, by synchronizing the movement of his camera with the position of the North Star, reminding us that it’s the Earth that’s turning, not the stars.

Behold our planet in its various beautiful states with astronaut Alexander Gerst’s time-lapses, which he took while he was aboard the International Space Station. Check out his tongue-in-cheek space Halloween pics here.

The hype is real. The latest trailer for Star Citizen goes for the jugular with an inspirational slant and a visual showcase that will hook even casual sci-fi fans. It’s as if it hasn’t already raised enough money.

Inspired by classic spacesuits, the Spacelife Jacket is made of water-repellent and reflective fabric. Its hood is coated with thousands of tiny glass beads that refract light, and also has a built-in Bluetooth headset.

“I am tormented by an everlasting itch for things remote.” Erik Wernquist’s short film imagines a future where mankind is able to explore the Solar System. The CGI in the film is based on photos, maps and other real life references.

As its name implies, Space Engine is not a game. It’s simulation software for Windows that lets you explore our universe. The known parts are replicated based on astronomical data; the rest are randomly generated.

JamesTyrwhitt-Drake – who made the color-enhanced time-lapse of Earth – made this 4K animation of the Sun from over 17,000 images taken by the Solar Dynamics Observatory. The sound is based on the sun’s magnetic activity.

AsapSCIENCE explores the challenges associated with colonizing Mars. While water is plentiful and it’s possible to produce air, the red planet has less sunlight and gravity than Earth, and then there’s the little problem of getting people there.

“…Our greatest accomplishments cannot be behind us. Because our destiny lies above us.” Movieclips Trailers made this inspirational mashup of space movies, including Interstellar, Star Trek and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

An international effort 10 years in the making has resulted in another giant leap for mankind. The Rosetta Mission’s Philae lander has touched down on comet 67P/C-G, which is currently about 310 million miles from Earth. Take that Kerbals!

Guillaume Juin created this eye-popping time-lapse short film by editing together thousands of high resolution images taken by the crew of the International Space Station between 2011 and 2014. Best watched in full screen, high def.

As part of NASA’s 3D camera project, astronauts at the International Space Station made a softball-sized ball of water – thanks to the low gravity in the space station – and submerged a GoPro camera inside the ball. 3D video here.

A master and his apprentice turn a wasteland into small celestial bodies. Ambition promotes the International Rosetta Mission, which sent a spacecraft to orbit comet 67P/C-G and will soon drop a lander on the comet’s surface.

Vsauce3 reminds us how awesome our planet is. Even our next door neighbor is so different and hostile. The moon has longer days and nights, wildly varying temperatures, no atmosphere and lots of radiation.

Show Land Rover a photo or video that represents what adventure means to you for a chance to win a training course and trip to space on Virgin Galactic’s SpaceShip Two for yourself and three of your loved ones.

Three trailers in and we still don’t know much about Interstellar, but we wouldn’t have it any other way. Check out glimpses of a dying Earth, the hostile environment on other planets and a walking monolith. A minilith.

Astronauts Mike Hopkins and Rick Mastracchio provide a look at our big blue marble from the vantage point of the International Space Station’s cupola, pointing out cities and landmarks as they orbit far above our planet.

Enemy Starfighter is a mix of real time strategy and space combat sim, and will support the Oculus Rift. It may not be as pretty as other upcoming space shooters, but it’s promising considering it’s being made by one man.

A rocky and icy landscape, a bubble of time and space, tiny monoliths and more abound in the new trailer for Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. Like Rust Cohle, these clips raise more questions even as they reveal more about the movie.