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So where are the extraterrestrial beings?
Not so very long ago, astronomers were theorising about life on practically every planet in the solar system whereas today the Earth is sometimes envisaged as the only haven for living beings... have the extraterrestrial beings disappeared in-between times?
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The rapid growth of New Space
For several years, entrepreneurs have been aspiring to develop a new approach to the space industry and targeting a reduction in launch costs. Is the private sector going to revolutionise human space flight?
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Avatar’s Venture Star
The spaceship from James Cameron’s film is far less fanciful than it appears and even plausibly deals with several problems posed by interstellar travel.
Moon Boots: shoes that come from Apollo
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| Moon Boots come in several colours and change in line with the fashion, but its Apollo-alluding design remains unchanged, and is still just as symbolic. Official Moon Boot website Credit: Tecnica |
We are currently celebrating the fortieth anniversary of Apollo 12, a mission which, four months after Apollo 11, put its name to the first return to our natural satellite (see this Enjoy Space feature). The American lunar programme made its mark and it is not, therefore, surprising that artists and designers were influenced by this great adventure. At a time when the first snows are falling on the ski resorts, let’s take a look at a model of snow boot that was directly inspired by Apollo: the Moon Boot.
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| Walking on the Moon was the main feat of Apollo: the boots worn by the astronauts logically therefore inspired Giancarlo Zanatta, the Moon Boot creator. See the images of the Apollo 11 and Apollo 12 missions in our portfolios. Credit: NASA |
Moon Boot's creator Giancarlo Zanatta confirmed to us that Armstrong’s first steps were indeed behind these shoes which have survived the ups and downs of fashion for almost 40 years.
Enjoy Space: Where did the idea of the Moon Boot come from?
Giancarlo Zanatta: When I watched Neil Armstrong place his foot on to the Moon in this shoe with its completely novel shape, I tried imagining it on the snow and I came up with lots of ideas. With this kind of boot, we could establish a new concept, without left and right feet and in multi-sizes. As soon as they put on their Moon Boots, I think that all holidaymakers today feel a little as if “they have their heads in the clouds”, but in the right sense of the term: it’s escapism!
Enjoy Space: We are now celebrating the lunar programme’s 40th anniversary, has your view of this event changed over the years?
Giancarlo Zanatta: Not really, because this break-through of a man stepping on to another planet is still what dreams are made of...
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| Moon boots are featured in the new “Win Your Visa for the Moon” attraction at the “Cité de l’Espace”: would you be able to recognise those that walked on the soil of our natural satellite? Credit: Cité de l’Espace |
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| The fortieth anniversary of Apollo has obviously led to the launching of a commemorative Moon Boot! Credit: Tecnica |
Published on 20 November 2009
