Space Exploration Initiative

Creative Commons

Attribution 4.0 International

NASA, ESA, H. Teplitz and M. Rafelski (IPAC/Caltech), A. Koekemoer (STScI), R. Windhorst (Arizona State University), and Z. Levay (STScI)

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Article Research

MIT’s zero-gravity musical instrument provides a soundtrack for space travel

The Telemetron was created in response to a call from the MIT Media Lab’s Space Exploration Initiative.
Article Research

A musical instrument for astronauts and other news

BBC Click's Nick Kwek looks at some of the best technology stories of the week.
Post Research

Earthrise, 50 years later

Thoughts from the Media Lab's Space Enabled group and Space Exploration Initiative
Post Research

Media Lab at Ars Electronica 2018

The Ars Electronica Festival runs from September 6-10, 2018 in Linz, Austria
Post Research

SXSW 2019 PanelPicker Proposals

Media Lab students, faculty, researchers and affiliates pitching panels at SXSW 2019
Post Research

Curating the human experience of space—present, future, and fiction

Xin Liu discusses the Space Exploration Initiative's upcoming arts exhibition at Ars Electronica
Article Research

Making Music in Space

Nicole L'Huillier speaks at Sónar+D
Article Research

Science Fiction for tomorrow's day to day

Ariel Ekblaw speaks at Sónar+D
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Ani Liu tests her Smells for Space project while floating in zero gravity

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 Spatial Flux on board the Zero-G flight

"},{"image":{"url":"https://dam-prod.media.mit.edu/uuid/dad46fdf-7db3-4c6d-98ec-783aea83b931"},"title":"Orbit Weaver performance in Zero G","caption":""}]' data-gallery-title='Zero Gravity Arts Projects' data-gallery-tags='[]' data-hero-image='https://dam-prod.media.mit.edu/thumb/2017/11/21/Grappler2.jpg.1400x1400.jpg' data-gallery-pk='341671'>
Gallery Research

Zero Gravity Arts Projects

Arts and research projects from the Space Exploration Initiative's first parabolic flight that are being exhibited at Ars Electronica. 
Article Research

The Telemetron is a post-Earth musical instrument designed for zero gravity

The Telemetron generates musical compositions using gyroscopic “chimes.”
Article Research

Project TESSERAE, a Self-Assembling Space Architecture

The TESSERAE project is a design experiment in imagining how to bring the concept of geodesic domes from Earth into orbit.
Article Research

MIT's 'Orbit Weaver' turns astronauts into spiders

A new MIT Media Lab device takes a page from Spiderman to help astronauts navigate while weightless.
Post Research

TNW 2018: Designing Our Sci-Fi Space Future

For more on the Space Exploration Initiative @TNW2018, you can read the full article, "Making Star Wars a Reality through Design Thinking...
Article Research

"Life, uh, finds a way"

Biomimicry looks to living organisms to create the future of sustainable engineering.
Article Research

Prototypes for the new space age

The Media Lab Space Exploration Initiative shares results and next steps from its first zero gravity research mission
Article Research

A guide to daily life on Mars

What would daily life be like on the Red Planet?
Post Research

Inventing Smells for Space: A chemistry, design, and R&D collaboration with IFF

A chemistry, design, and R&D collaboration with International Flavors and Fragrances, Inc.
Video Videos

MLTalks: Neal Stephenson

Award-winning science fiction author Neal Stephenson
Video Videos

Beyond the Cradle 2018: Track A (Industry talks)
Video Videos

Beyond the Cradle 2018: Track B (Panels and keynotes)
Article Research

“Life, uh, finds a way”—Applying lessons from evolution to go to Mars

Biomimicry looks to living organisms to create the future of sustainable engineering.
Post Events

Beyond the Cradle 2018: Workshops

Beyond the Cradle 2018 workshop descriptions
Post Events

Beyond the Cradle 2018 Speakers

Beyond the Cradle 2018: Speakers
Gallery Research

Space Exploration Initiative Zero Gravity Flight

Research projects deployed in zero gravity, November 2017.
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Rhapsody in Zero G

Reimagining research for life in space
Video Videos

Scientific Analogs and the Development of Human Mission Architectures for Ocean and Space

Darlene Lim, NASA Ames
Article Research

Surface to Unlimited

There will be space makers and tinkerers, space theorists and humanists, space artists and athletes.
Post Events

Media Lab sets sights on space

MIT Media Lab event, Beyond the Cradle, launches a new initiative to explore the final frontier. 
Gallery Research

Beyond the Cradle 2017 Speakers Gallery

Warren Ellis photo credit: Ellen J. RogersJoi Ito photo credit: Mizuka ItoJoe Paradiso photo credit: Sam Ogden