Friends in Space

Digital Design, Data Driven Design

The first social network to extend beyond Earth linked people all over the planet with the first female Italian astronaut during her expedition to the International Space Station.

During the six months that Friends in Space was live, thousands of people from all over the world connected with one another and continued the conversation on social media.

Learn more about the project

When people on Earth near the yellow orbital path of the ISS said hello, a circular trace appeared.

When people on Earth near the yellow orbital path of the ISS said hello, a circular trace appeared.

The closer a person was to the spacecraft, the bigger the trace and the louder the greeting to Sam.

The closer a person was to the spacecraft, the bigger the trace and the louder the greeting to Sam.

Users watched and joined the community in real time on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Users watched and joined the community in real time on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.

Different views allowed users to see the mission in real time, what had passed, and what lay ahead.

Different views allowed users to see the mission in real time, what had passed, and what lay ahead.

MIT Media Lab

Brand Identity, Signage & Environmental Graphics

Visual identity and wayfinding for the innovative, interdisciplinary research laboratory at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Friends in Space