To see Earth from space is to be forever changed by that view. Since Alan Shepard became the first American to view our home planet from above, countless NASA astronauts have described the feeling of awe at the amazing sight and the profound shift in perspective that followed.
This unique experience is known as the overview effect, a term coined in 1987 by a space philosopher and writer. Frank White in the book of the same name. This phenomenon is causing powerful changes in astronauts' understanding of Earth and life, and may be especially powerful for those who have lived and worked aboard the International Space Station during the 25 years of continuous human presence. The dome module of the orbital laboratory, equipped with seven windows looking towards the Earth, provides an ideal place for observation and reflection.
As Artemis II mission specialist Christina Koch explained:
“The effect of the view is that you look through the dome and see the Earth as it exists, against the backdrop of the entire Universe. You see a thin blue line of the atmosphere, and then when you are on the dark side of the Earth, you actually see this very thin green line that shows you where the atmosphere is. You realize that every person you know is stable and inside this green line, and everything else outside of it is completely inhospitable. You don't see boundaries, you don't see religion, lines, you don’t see political boundaries, all you see is the Earth, and you see that we are much more alike than we are different.”
Koch's Artemis II crewmate, NASA astronaut Victor Glover, said the effectiveness of the overview effect is closely related to the “sea level effect” – humanity's overall experience on Earth. “You go back to sea level and then you have a choice,” he explained. “Are you going to try to live your life a little differently? Are you really going to become a member of this community of Earth?”
Many astronauts emphasize the importance of unity after experiencing the review effect. “You see this is the only planet with a shared atmosphere. That's our shared place in the universe,” said former NASA astronaut Bob Behnken. “I think from that perspective, when we go through things like a pandemic or see problems in our country or around the world, we realize that we are all facing them together.”
Seeing Earth from space can also change the way they think about home. Former NASA astronaut Nicole Stott remembers wanting to see her home state of Florida during her first mission to the International Space Station. “Finally, we flew over Florida. I wanted to go to the window and look at it, but then somewhere along the way I realized that I didn't look at Florida the same way anymore,” she said. “I still wanted to see Florida, but Florida just became this special part of the home that is Earth. We're all Earthlings.”
For some astronauts, the change in perspective inspired them to make changes on the ground. “I think if you're not a conservationist before you go into space, you'll at least be part of a conservationist when you come back. Because when you see how thin this atmosphere is, this protective layer that we have here, you think, wow, we really need to take care of this because it really looks so fragile from space,” said retired NASA astronaut Mike Foreman.
Others hope to share the review's impact with more people. “That kind of perspective helps you grow. It really inspired me to try to give more people this experience and get a permanent foothold among the stars for our species,” said former NASA astronaut Jack Fisher. “I want to do everything in my power to help humanity and humanity in general move on, grow and develop in the way that I know they are capable of.”
Future orbital laboratory crews can expect a similar experience. “The moment you are overwhelmed by this prospect, when your eyes see nothing but the beauty of the Earth – every crew member I have brought [the cupola] “I cried over the revelation,” said retired NASA astronaut TJ Creamer. – My heart stops. It's heartbreaking. It's breathtaking.”
To learn more about the prospects for astronauts on the International Space Station, check out “Down to Earth“on NASA+.
