Let’s talk about it
- Space Oddity is a 1969 song written and originally sang by David Bowie. Commander Hadfield changed the lyrics. Compare Bowie’s lyrics to Cmdr. Hadfield’s. What changes did he make? Do any of them reflect how human space exploration has changed since 1969?
- What factors make it hard to play guitar in space?
- How did Commander Hadfield set up his camera?
- Commander Hadfield describes life in space as, “We’re taking the culture we were raised with to a new place and adapting it.” Can you think of some examples of how astronauts have to do this in space? Have you ever had to do this in your life on Earth? If so, explain.
- Commander tweeted regularly from space and Skyped into classrooms in Canada. He mentions that NASA uses social media to help people on Earth understand spaceflight. Do you think this is an effective way to teach people about spaceflight? Why or why not?
- Is there anything you have learned from astronauts in space using social media? If so, what is it?
- As he says in the video, Commander Hadfield believes that understanding the human side of space exploration is important. What does Commander Hadfield mean by “the human side of space exploration?”
- Historically, people have seen the end results of great achievements. Now, thanks to a variety of media, we are able to communicate with scientists and others as they do their work. Commander Hadfield invites us to imagine that Michelangelo could have spoken to us via webcam while painting the Sistine Chapel. If you could watch and ask questions of a historical figure doing their great work, who would it be?
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