Project: HOMECOMING

architecture art direction branding campaign concept environment graphic design photo recycle Space

NASA Space Resource Recycling Project: HOMECOMING

<Project: Homecoming> digs into the shaded side of the space race triggered in the mid-20th century; between ideology and science. As what's known so far, the 20th century is often misunderstood as a golden age of space development. Behind the stage, were numerous efforts regarding sustainable space development and considerations among the environmental impact of the space race.

In the absence of constant archives, these struggles were dismissed throughout decades. Now we put them back on stage to reassert its significance and to reinvent our attitude toward sustainable space and earth, all together.

1. The Visions

The 20th century was nothing but about the space race. The first artificial Earth satellite, the first humans on the Moon, and the first reusable spacecraft all took place during such a short period of time. Discoveries were made on a daily basis, and those major successes represented the success of mankind.

However, some researchers spoke out the possibilities of the environmental crisis that could take place in the near future. Due to the massive surge in space projectiles, satellites and probes could cause a chain collision on the earth's orbit. If the space race intensifies, more rockets will be launched in the future, and if the population is not controlled, a series of collisions may make it impossible to enter space itself in the worst case.

After discussion in depth, Task Force was established to react to the issue in the long run and “Resource Recycling Scheme” was built as a follow-up strategy. The project was named HOMECOMING, based on its idea of making second-handed products by recycling different parts from projectiles after they return back home.

2. The Codes

A number of experts and internal personnel from the Task Force confirmed an agreement that future space development should proceed based on sustainability. The main content is to recover spacecraft launched into space and allow them to be recycled/reused in various forms depending on their characteristics when they return.

As a result, the team came up with a code system to organize and classify all different parts that came out of spacecraft, and to subject them under several categories; including its material, size, and recycling levels. Before the launch, these codes were imprinted to every individual part that could be potentially recycled. After their long journey, spacecraft were disassembled at the recycling center. The parts were then stored in the resource archive located at the underground of the center.

3. The Products

The team was responsible for multiple stages of recycling spacecraft. Product design and prototypes were key tasks of this project. Multiple research and experiments to seek possibilities for implementation took place in the recycling center, and primary records were found through years of explorations.

The artifacts including blueprints, product briefs, and photos, or even the product itself explain how the team tried to demonstrate their ideas of HOMECOMING. Through the high level of implementation, they’ve showcased not only their visions but their own interpretation of how sustainable space development should be.

4. The Manifesto

Now, we are here to spread out the ideas and visions that the precedents tried to pursue. As an individual living in the time of civil space race, the serious risks of space debris must be spoken out in public. Earth is not only land, sea, and life, but includes all the spaces that gravity might act. Protect and Preserve.