What Is the Overview Effect, and How Can Space Travel Trigger It?
So far, few human beings have experienced space travel or looked down on Earth from a great distance. Of those who have, many report a significant shift in their thinking. In this article, we explore a phenomenon called the overview effect, and how seeing the world from space can change an astronaut’s whole perspective on life.
From space, Earth is a beautiful “pale blue dot.”
The overview effect describes how, when astronauts see the Earth for the first time from space, they immediately see the true reality of our planet in the universe. It is a tiny ball of life in the darkness—a pale blue dot in a void. From space, the Earth looks vulnerable, small, and infinitely beautiful and precious. As Michael Collins of the Apollo 11 mission reported, what surprised him the most was his realization of just how fragile the Earth really is.
Likewise, the overview effect often brings a new sense of mental clarity and perspective to problems on Earth. From space, national boundaries do not exist. Conflicts appear less important, and money and material goods seem trivial.
Astronauts who experience the effect may feel a heightened understanding of the “big picture” that completely overwhelms them in their realization of the fragility and unity of life on Earth.
It is now more than 50 years since Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins landed on the moon in Apollo 11, becoming the first people to view the Earth from the surface of our moon. At the time, Buzz Aldrin described the world as “a brilliant jewel in a black velvet sky.”
The overview effect can trigger a new environmental consciousness.
Many astronauts report that the overview effect induces a strong desire to protect the Earth and environment. Evidence of anthropogenic ecological destruction is often a key driver. From space junk to the massive forest fires in North America and Australia in 2019, astronauts often see firsthand the impact of humankind’s actions on a massive scale. The experience can spark an overwhelming urge to protect the planet.
Frank White first used the term “overview effect” in his 1987 book of the same name.
A leading space philosopher and author, White used the term to describe the powerful cognitive shift many astronauts experience upon seeing Earth from space.
Through his interviews with 30 celebrated astronauts and cosmonauts, Frank White drew parallels between their experiences. He examined how circling the Earth every 90 minutes profoundly affected space travelers’ perceptions, not only of the world, but of their place in it.
In the book, White looked at how these experiences have affected not only the views of the astronauts, but of all humankind, as the astronauts report back to the rest of us. The book provides a rationale for space exploration and presents space settlement as an inevitable next step in the evolution of human society and consciousness.
NASA astronaut Ron Garan also described the overview effect in his book.
In The Orbital Perspective, Garan explains the incredible feelings he experienced in his mission carrying out maintenance work at the International Space Station (ISS) in 2008. As part of the mission, Garan performed a “windshield wiper” maneuver, which propelled him in an arc over the ISS.
Garan explained that, as he reached the top of the arc, it seemed as though time stood still. He reported feeling overwhelmed by emotion and awareness. Looking down at the Earth, he saw it as it really is for the first time: a stunning, fragile oasis.
Garan’s experience also evoked a deep concern for his fellow humans. He reported that, as he looked down at our planet sheltering life from the harshness of space, he felt an overwhelming sense of sadness. He realized that despite the awe-inspiring beauty of our shared paradise, countless people still go to bed hungry every night and lack access to clean drinking water. It was profoundly sobering for him to realize that social injustices, conflicts, and poverty persist.
There is an opportunity for more people to experience this effect.
Space for Humanity is a groundbreaking nonprofit organization that promotes space exploration as a catalyst for human interconnectedness. It seeks to expand access to space for all, rather than the few.
Individuals from all countries, ethnicities, and backgrounds are welcome to apply to Space for Humanity’s Sponsored Citizen Astronaut Mission. This project will send a diverse crew of nonprofessional citizen astronauts on sub-orbital spaceflights—and therefore provide an opportunity for anyone to experience the overview effect firsthand.
Applications for the mission were open from July to November 2019; currently, applications are closed until 2021 as Space for Humanity waits for its spaceflight partners to launch their citizen spaceflight programs.
In addition to the Sponsored Citizen Astronaut Mission, Space for Humanity also works to democratize access to space by educating the public and training the next generation of leaders.
