A Cosmic Conversation with Astronaut Nicole Stott
28 JUN 2023
Comoclub meets Nicole Stott, a veteran NASA astronaut who will be leading Island Astronauts Camps at our COMO resorts in the Turks and Caicos islands and the Maldives.
Nicole Stott spent almost three decades working with NASA, 104 days in space at the International Space Station (ISS), and was the tenth woman in history to conduct a space walk. She is also co-founder of the Space for Art Foundation.
Her tales from the cosmos promise to inspire and educate our young Comoclubbers. Here are some extracts from our recent chat:
Could you describe what it was like looking down on Planet Earth for the first time?
Nicole: The view was crystal clear. All Earth’s colours glowed with a kind of iridescence and translucence I’d never seen before. I told my son to imagine he was looking at the brightest light bulb imaginable, splattered with all the colours of Earth and held up against the blackest black.
Space has inspired artists for centuries. What value does art have in helping us understand space?
Nicole: Art can bring the science of exploration closer to human understanding. Art is a universal communicator. Beyond the scientific community, an artistic interpretation of space exploration allows us to communicate and engage with audiences who might not otherwise know about the ISS, and the work being done there for the benefit of all life on Earth.
In your opinion, what is the most important issue space technology could solve on Earth?
Nicole: Cooperation. If we behave like crewmates, not passengers, we have the power to create a future for all life on Earth that’s as beautiful as it looks from space.
How does the work of the Space for Art Foundation fit into your mission after retiring from NASA?
Nicole: I wanted to use art as a way to share my spaceflight experience, especially with audiences who might not otherwise understand the extraordinary work being done. The aim was to give distraction, inspiration and a creative outlet to those who need it most. The Space for Art Foundation has evolved into a planetary community of children who share in the wonder of space exploration through the healing power of art.
Embark on a cosmic journey of the imagination at COMO Hotels and Resorts.
Nicole will lead a series of Island Astronauts Camps at COMO Parrot Cay in the Turks and Caicos Islands on 13-19 April 2024 and at COMO Maalifushi in the Maldives on 5-14 August 2024. She will also be leading a reef dive at COMO Cocoa Island in the Maldives on 16-17 August 2024.
Join us for a journey of the imagination that transcends the confines of our planet. Book your stays for one of our Island Astronauts Camps at comohotels.com.