This Is Blue Origin’s Moon Lander | Blue Moon Mark 2 in Cinematic VFX @DigitalAstronaut

Digital Astronaut We fully animated Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2, the next-generation lunar lander set to carry astronauts to the Moon with Artemis 5 in the mid-2030s.

When we started this animation in 2024, all we had was a single concept image from Blue Origin to go off of. We carefully studied every pixel of that image, painstakingly modeling and animating what this spacecraft might look like and how it might work in action. While much of this is guesswork or future technologies (such as converting water in hydrogen and oxygen rocket propellant), our goal was to capture the spirit and excitement of NASA and Blue Origin’s ambitious lunar plans with Artemis V.

This project was a labor of love for me and my brother Andy, blending cinematic storytelling, VFX, and of course our passion for space exploration. That's why we added a little bonus behind-the-scenes after the short, just to show the process. This is a completely different kind of video for Digital Astronaut but it was a blast.

We’re huge fans of Blue Origin and can’t wait to see this lander come to life in reality, but until then, we hope you enjoy this cinematic short film!

Download our model of the Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark II (for free) here cgtrader.com/free-3d-models/space/spaceship/blue-origin-blue-moon-mark-ii-lander. If you use it for something, please tag us so we can see it!

#BlueOrigin #BlueMoon #Artemis #MoonLanding #SpaceAnimation #NASA #Space #Moon

updated 1 year ago

This Is Blue Origin’s Moon Lander | Blue Moon Mark 2 in Cinematic VFX

Digital Astronaut 2025-02-02 | We fully animated Blue Origin’s Blue Moon Mark 2, the next-generation lunar lander set to carry astronauts to the Moon with Artemis 5 in the mid-2030s.

When we started this animation in 2024, all we had was a single concept image from Blue Origin to go off of. We carefully studied every pixel of that image, painstakingly modeling and animating what this spacecraft might look like and how it might work in action. While much of this is guesswork or future technologies (such as converting water in hydrogen and oxygen rocket propellant), our goal was to capture the spirit and excitement of NASA and Blue Origin’s ambitious lunar plans with Artemis V.

This project was a labor of love for me and my brother Andy, blending cinematic storytelling, VFX, and of course our passion for space exploration. That's why we added a little bonus behind-the-scenes after the short, just to show the process. This is a completely different kind of video for Digital Astronaut but it was a blast.

We’re huge fans of Blue Origin and can’t wait to see this lander come to life in reality, but until then, we hope you enjoy this cinematic short film!

Download our model of the Blue Origin Blue Moon Mark II (for free) here cgtrader.com/free-3d-models/space/spaceship/blue-origin-blue-moon-mark-ii-lander. If you use it for something, please tag us so we can see it!

#BlueOrigin #BlueMoon #Artemis #MoonLanding #SpaceAnimation #NASA #Space #Moon

Real-time animation of light traveling across the solar system (5.5 hours, meditative music)

Digital Astronaut 2025-07-28 | In this real-time 5.5-hour animation, we trace a single beam of light from the Sun all the way to Pluto. I set the video to a few space-inspired meditative songs so you can even leave this on (no mid-roll ads) as you fly through the solar system.

Light moves at 299,792 kilometers per second (or 186,282 miles per second). That’s fast... until you see just how long it actually takes to cross the solar system. There's a lot of space in space. Keep in mind that it took the New Horizons mission to Pluto 9 years to make this journey, and it got a start at planet Earth!

Not to mention the speed at which light passes each planet. Most are blink and you'll miss it!

No narration. No time lapse. Even at light speed, the solar system is vast. This is one way we can begin to appreciate the true size of it.

Timestamps (5 seconds early):
Mercury - 00:03:05
Venus - 00:05:55
Earth - 00:08:15
Mars - 00:12:35
Jupiter - 00:43:05
Saturn - 01:19:55
Uranus - 02:39:55
Neptune - 04:09:55
Pluto - 05:29:55

🎥 Football field scale model of the solar system youtube.com/watch?v=NC4pLkUYpjA&feature=youtu.be

Deep Space by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

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The Dark Glow of the Mountains by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0

Hyperion: The strange moon youve never heard of

Digital Astronaut 2025-07-17 | Meet Hyperion- an icy, porous, low-gravity oddball that defies expectations of what a moon "should" be. When I first came across photos of Hyperion I honestly couldn't believe a moon like this existed. It not only looks like a sponge, it acts like one too!

Video: What's an asteroid? youtube.com/watch?v=HFJI7l5RqHs
Video: Mars' moons are way more mysterious than you think youtube.com/watch?v=KcM2k482Tqw

10 years ago today… #space #spaceexploration #universe #science #pluto #nasa

Digital Astronaut 2025-07-14 | ...

Why do things float in space?

Digital Astronaut 2025-07-06 | In this episode, we break down one of the most misunderstood concepts in space science — and we do it using a drop tower ride at Dollywood! If you’ve ever wondered why things float in space, the answer isn’t "no gravity". It’s something much cooler: free fall.

We’ll explore how gravity works, why the International Space Station doesn’t crash into Earth, and why astronauts look like they’re weightless even though gravity is still pulling on them. And yep — we even look at how theme park rides give us a tiny taste of the same sensation.

Watch my video about how high you could jump on different planets youtube.com/watch?v=f_Is3c-rKEU&t=95s

This nebula is colder than space (seriously)

Digital Astronaut 2025-07-04 | What’s the coldest place in the universe? You might guess Pluto, deep space, or the shadowy side of the Moon- but it’s actually a dying star in Centaurus. Today, we're talking about the Boomerang Nebula and why it's even colder than space itself.

Watch my video about Neutron Stars youtube.com/watch?v=dQN2BF4aw48

I’m a Christian who loves space. Here’s why that makes sense (w/ NASA scientist Dr. Runyon)

Digital Astronaut 2025-04-13 | Today, I talk a little about my love for space exploration and my Christian faith. For some people, that might seem like a contradiction. Isn’t science supposed to push people away from faith? But for me, like many scientists and astronauts, exploring the universe has only deepened my belief in God.

In this conversation, I sit down with NASA planetary scientist Dr. Kirby Runyon to talk about how studying the cosmos has actually brought us both closer to the Creator. We discuss what the Bible says about space exploration and how, for the Christian, it's actually an act of worship. If you're a Christian, this video is why I think space exploration should matter to you a lot.

I don't often talk about myself on this channel, so this was a fun video to make. Thanks for letting me share the reason behind my passion!

00:00 - Why I love space exploration
01:57 - Famous scientists who are Christians, too
02:44 - Most of what God made is not on Earth
04:05 - Who is Dr. Kirby Runyon?
05:01 - What is Geomorphology?
06:30 - "HOW did God make it that way?"
08:41 - The Bible vs. Science?
10:20 - Science reveals God
11:16 - Why Christians should care about space exploration
12:25 - Studying space is worship / It's all faith

ACTUAL moon landing footage from Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lander on March 2, 2025

Digital Astronaut 2025-03-04 | ...

Here’s why we’re going to the moon’s South Pole #bluemoon #space #blueorigin

Digital Astronaut 2025-02-03 | ...

We animated the future moon lander from Blue Origin! #bluemoon #space #moonlanding

Digital Astronaut 2025-02-02 | ...

How do astronauts sleep in space? #space #nasa

Digital Astronaut 2025-01-17 | ...

NASA’s secret to productivity: How astronauts balance work and rest | Sueño Labs podcast

Digital Astronaut 2025-01-16 | Join me on the Sueño Labs Podcast with Jimmy Leonard as we discuss NASA’s lessons from the Skylab missions, where prioritizing rest transformed astronaut productivity. We’ll dive into how astronauts sleep in space on the International Space Station, what future Moon missions with Artemis might look like (hint: hammocks), and the story behind my Digital Astronaut YouTube channel. We’re going to dig into what NASA learned about work and rest in space and how that can benefit everyone here on Earth!

Sueño Labs on Spotify: open.spotify.com/show/6hw5JtWTl6E3M0ajN1DXAT?si=CzYtFwLtSTO-YL1c4dBMoA
Sueño Labs on Apple Podcasts: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sue%C3%B1o-labs/id1751920901

00:00 - Intro
02:34 - How Digital Astronaut started
07:25 - How space exploration improves life on earth
16:43 - How do astronauts sleep in space?
31:44 - The high stakes of SkyLab
35:40 - Astronaut burn-out
38:42 - How more rest boosted astronaut productivity (and our's too)
50:40 - Artemis moon missions / How going to the moon will prepare us for Mars
54:53 - Sleeping on the moon
56:43 - Outro

Canadas robotic arm for the moon | Canadarm 3 | with Ken Podwalski

Digital Astronaut 2024-11-22 | In this special episode, I sit down with Ken Podwalski, the Gateway Program Manager at the Canadian Space Agency, for a look at Canada’s next leap in space robotics. Canada’s contributions to space have been groundbreaking, from the Canadarm on the Space Shuttle to Canadarm2 on the ISS, and now, they’re building the most advanced version yet—Canadarm3 for the Gateway Station. Ken dives deep into the challenges of building robotics that can handle the unique demands of lunar orbit, as well as the exciting new Canadian Lunar Utility Rover designed to help build infrastructure on the Moon’s surface. Plus, we even discuss how these innovations set the stage for future missions to Mars. This conversation opened my eyes to just how much Canada is doing to make a long-term human presence on the Moon possible—trust me, you don’t want to miss it!

00:00 - Canada's Executive Director of the Gateway Program, Ken Podwalski
01:16 - Canadarm2 on ISS
02:34 - What comes after the International Space Station?
02:54 - Gateway Station for Artemis
03:36 - Canadarm3
05:49 - Challenges of solar storms
06:10 - Challenges of lunar dust (regolith)
08:01 - Thermal challenges
08:56 - When will Canadarm3 launch?
09:25 - Canadian Lunar Utility Vehicle
10:19 - Canada's mission from Moon to Mars

Like the Canadarm3 shirt? Buy your's here! etsy.com/listing/1773924910/canadarm-3-shirt-space-csa-enthusiast?ref=listings_manager_grid

Space shirts, mugs, stickers, and more! Check out the new store

Digital Astronaut 2024-10-28 | ...

Unique space shirts, mugs, stickers and more - Merch Store Announcement

Digital Astronaut 2024-10-28 | For the last few months, I've carefully designed unique shirts, stickers, mugs, and more for space nerds like me. Today, I'm thrilled to finally share it with you. This is only a start - I'll be adding new items every once in a while. And if you have any requests, please let me know!

Shop the new store on Etsy here etsy.com/shop/DigitalAstronautShop

Whats an asteroid? Could an asteroid hit Earth one day (again)?

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-20 | Asteroids are rocky objects orbiting the Sun, remnants from the early solar system. Today, we’re exploring some of the largest rocky objects in our solar system. I’ll talk about the asteroid belt and how asteroids sometimes come much closer to Earth than we’d like- such as Apophis, the asteroid that probably won't hit Earth in 2029 or 2036.

We’ll dive into NASA’s DART mission, which tested how we could redirect a dangerous asteroid, and I’ll explain how missions like OSIRIS-REx are helping us study asteroids up close. Asteroids actually hit the Earth more often than you might think!

Plus, did you know asteroids could one day be mined for valuable resources? From understanding the risk of asteroid impacts to uncovering the potential for asteroid mining, this video gives you an overview of these strange space rocks. If you’ve ever wondered about the role of asteroids in the solar system—or what would happen if one hit Earth—this video is for you.

00:00 - What’s an asteroid and how big are they?
00:45 - What’s the asteroid belt?
01:04 - Mars’ asteroid moons
01:28 - Are asteroids dangerous?
01:58 - Apophis: The most dangerous asteroid
02:38 - Redirecting dangerous asteroids (DART)
03:29 - Arrokoth / New Horizons
04:06 - Bennu / Ossiris-Rex
04:28 - Asteroid mining
05:31 - Like exploring space?

Comet from Earth vs up-close 🤯

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-13 | ...

What s a comet?

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-13 | Comets are some of the most beautiful objects in space and we’ve actually explored them up close. Today is comets 101. I explain exactly what a comet is, where they come from, and how they form those colorful glowing tails as they approach the Sun. We’ll highlight NASA’s Deep Impact mission that crashed a probe into a comet (intentionally), and ESA’s Rosetta mission which studied Comet 67P up close. From the distant Oort Cloud to their high-speed journeys through space, comets have fascinating stories to tell.

00:00 - Intro
01:00 - What are comets?
01:23 - Why do comets have tails?
02:38 - What does a comet look like up close?
03:49 - What happens when a comet hits a planet?
04:52 - Like exploring space?

Saturn V, Space Shuttle, Space Launch System | The First 3 Minutes | Rocket Launch Comparison

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-06 | A real-time comparison of the launches of NASA's three most recent rockets- the Saturn V, the Space Shuttle, and the Space Launch System during the first 3:30 minutes of flight.

Saturn V - Apollo 11, 1969
Space Shuttle - STS-129, Atlantis, 2009
SLS - Artemis I, 2022

Mixed with commentary audio from all three launches, this video demonstrates how NASA's rockets operate during the first 3 minutes of flight. I would love to make a longer one (potentially all the way to orbit), but there is limited onboard footage of those minutes during the Saturn V launches.

I've added in telemetry data on altitude and velocity, although different resources even within NASA contained some contradictory readings. I've tried to sift through all of it and provide the most accurate measurements, but those should be taken with a grain of salt.

New Mercury photos, hot off the press from the BepiColombo probe!

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-05 | ...

Mercury is one of the hardest planets to explore. Here’s why!

Digital Astronaut 2024-09-04 | ...

It’s a big universe! Check out this zoom out from the farthest star #space #astronomy

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-30 | ...

The farthest star weve ever seen- Earendel | James Webb Space Telescope astronomy

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-30 | Take a look at the most distant star we have ever seen. This tiny red dot in the Sunrise Arc Galaxy is actually a single star- Earendel- and it is 12.9 billion light-years away. Today, we'll explore how astronomers first detected this ancient star, first with the Hubble Space Telescope and then with the James Webb Space Telescope, and the miracle that makes it visible to us despite its mind-blowing distance. We've layered these beautiful photos into a mind blowing animation at the end, just to show the scale of this distance!

Earendel is located in the Cetus constellation.

Fans of J.R.R. Tolkien will certainly recognize the name. This star was nicknamed Earendel by the discoverers in honor of the character from Tolkien's legendarium. Eärendil is the name of a half-elven character mentioned in several of J. R. R. Tolkien's books (The Silmarillion and The Lord of the Rings, primarily) who travelled through the sky with a radiant jewel that appeared as bright as a star. NASA astronomer Michelle Thaller confirmed that the reference to Tolkien was intentional. Pretty cool! Tolkien derived this name from an Old English poem in which it meant 'morning star' or 'rising light'.

Did you know Mars has two moons? #space #mars

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-23 | ...

Mars’ moons are more mysterious than you think

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-23 | Most people don’t even know that Mars has moons, but Phobos and Deimos are some of the most intriguing objects in our Solar System. In this short video, I'm going to explain why these tiny, asteroid-like moons are so unique—and what makes them different from our own Moon. From their unusual orbits to the mysteries of their origins, Mars’ moons are a bit more mysterious than you might think.

Which is better- Apollo or Artemis? #space #artemislaunch #artemisprogram #apollo #science

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-16 | ...

10 key differences between Apollo and Artemis moon programs

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-16 | Let's compare NASA's Apollo of the 1960s to Artemis of the 2020s and figure out - which is the better moon program? We'll pit the mighty Saturn V against the SLS, the Lunar Module against Starship HLS, and the mission plans of both moon missions in these 10 differences.

On one hand, this isn't a fair fight because Apollo actually LANDED on the moon and Artemis is still in development. So what we're going to do is focus on capabilities - in other words, what are these two programs actually designed to do, how will they do it, how much will it cost, and what comes next.

What do you think? Which moon program is better? Share your thoughts in the comments!

00:00 - Intro
00:41 - Purpose
01:17 - Architecture
02:08 - Space Agencies
02:59 - Crew
03:25 - Lunar Locations
03:52 - Duration
04:17 - Rockets
07:28 - Landers
08:48 - Funding
10:48 - The Future
12:45 - Which is better? Apollo or Artemis?

📚 Other Resources
🔗 How space exploration benefits the world nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/benefits-stemming-from-space-exploration-2013-tagged.pdf
🔗 How NASA has benefitted the United States economy spinoff.nasa.gov/pdf/AIAA%202011%20Quantifying%20Spinoff%20Benefits.pdf
🔗 The Artemis Program nasa.gov/specials/artemis/index.html

NASAs Moon Plan Overview | Artemis Program Architecture

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-09 | NASA's new moon program, Artemis, will send humans to the moon in a much more complicated way Apollo did in the 1960s.

Today, we're going to walk through the full mission architecture for Artemis IV and see how the various rockets (SLS and SpaceX Starship), Lunar Gateway Station, and the Starship HLS and Blue Origin Blue Moon landers will work together to get astronauts back to the moon.

If the term "mission architecture" sounds complicated to you, it simply means the mission plan. A mission architecture outlines all the components and steps needed for a space mission, including spacecraft, launch vehicles, operations, and mission objectives, ensuring all parts work together seamlessly to achieve the mission’s goals. That's what we're covering today for Artemis!

Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our journey back to the Moon as a part of our new Artemis video series.

00:00 - Artemis Mission Architecture
00:54 - Lunar Gateway Station
01:55 - Lunar Lander (HLS)
02:25 - SLS
02:40 - Orion
03:15 - Moon Landing
03:55 - Return to Earth
04:08 - What's Left?
05:02 - When is Artemis happening?
07:20 - Will there be delays?

We’re going back to the moon- new series on the Artemis program starts this week!

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-04 | ...

From Apollo to Artemis: Were about to return to the moon (Series Trailer)

Digital Astronaut 2024-08-02 | After over 50 years since the Apollo program, we're finally going back to the Moon.

I'm thrilled to announce our new series on NASA's Artemis program, the mission set to return humanity to the Moon. It's a new Digital Astronaut series that will feature shorter, more frequent videos focused entirely on these exciting new missions.

We'll cover everything from the powerful Space Launch System to the international Lunar Gateway station. I'll delve into the cutting-edge landers, the Artemis Accords, the new spacesuits, and introduce you to the Artemis II crew. And of course, we'll discuss the highly anticipated SpaceX Starship rocket and HLS. This series is designed to hype you up and provide a comprehensive look at each component of the Artemis program.

If you're watching this trailer on the day it comes out, the first Artemis episode will debut in one week, offering a brief overview of the entire Artemis mission architecture.

Don't forget to subscribe and hit the bell icon to stay updated on our journey back to the Moon. I can't wait to explore this new program with you!

The razor sharp mountain on Jupiters moon | Steeple Mountain on Io | 3D visualization

Digital Astronaut 2024-07-19 | I’m hiking in Tennessee and sharing about Io’s Steeple Mountain, a 7-km-high marvel of our solar system. Although we can't hike it today, I am going to show you a high resolution animation of this incredible mountain. In April of 2024, image scientists from JPL created a 3D model of Steeple Mountain based on images from the Juno spacecraft. Explore this unique formation and stunning views from Jupiter’s moon!

Original Steeple Mountain animation from NASA JPL: jpl.nasa.gov/images/pia26294-ios-steeple-mountain-artists-concept

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 15 Pro
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

Actually, Pluto IS a planet. Heres why the IAU got it wrong.

Digital Astronaut 2024-07-13 | There are WAY more planets in our solar system than you realize. To be honest, this is probably my favorite video to date because this story is a lot bigger and more exciting than I expected.

Today, I’m joined by expert planetary scientist Dr. Alan Stern to tackle a hotly debated topic: Why is Pluto not a planet, at least according to the IAU? And why do NASA and planetary scientists, including Dr. Stern, argue that Pluto should be a planet? We'll dive into the reasons behind the International Astronomical Union's controversial 2006 redefinition and explore why it might be fundamentally flawed.

Dr. Stern, who led NASA's New Horizons mission to Pluto, offers an authoritative perspective, revealing that there are actually far more than the traditional 8 or 9 planets in our solar system. We're going to learn about the geophysical definition of a planet, which includes over a hundred celestial bodies, and why this broader view matters.

As you can tell, this episode is not just about Pluto; it's about recognizing the diverse array of planets that make our solar system fascinating. From Pluto, to our very own moon. Tune in to uncover the scientific and political drama behind Pluto's demotion and discover why redefining planets can spark curiosity and exploration in the next generation of scientists.

Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Why isn't Pluto a planet anymore?
01:45 - Meet Dr. Alan Stern
02:40 - Why did the IAU vote to change the definition of a planet?
04:24 - The flawed process of the 2006 IAU vote
06:11 - A better definition of a planet (Geophysical Planetary Definition)
07:27 - The issues with the IAU definition
10:42 - How do planetary scientists define a planet?
12:00 - Moons can be planets, too
13:04 - There are way more than 8 or 9 planets
14:34 - Yes, Pluto is a planet

Other Resources:
🔗 Geophysical Planet Definition (Universities Space Research Association) https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/eposter/1448.pdf
🔗 Study by Dr. Philip Metzger on Planetary Definition in Scientific Literature researchgate.net/publication/355730140_Moons_Are_Planets_Scientific_Usefulness_Versus_Cultural_Teleology_in_the_Taxonomy_of_Planetary_Science
🔗 48th Lunar & Planetary Science Conference abstract on the Geophysical Planetary Definition https://www.hou.usra.edu/meetings/lpsc2017/pdf/1448.pdf
🔗 Wikipedia Geophysical Planet Definition en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geophysical_definition_of_planet
🔗 Dr. Alan Stern’s Website https://alanstern.space
🔗 Dr. Stern’s lecture on Planethood and Pluto youtube.com/watch?v=fvkauNOfKL4
🔗 Press release from the IAU in 2006 iau.org/news/pressreleases/detail/iau0603
🔗 Video of IAU 2006 Session 2, in which the debate and vote take place iau.org/public/videos/detail/iau2006session2
🔗 Images from the 2006 IAU iau.org/public/images/archive/category/general_assembly_2006

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
Special Guest: Dr. Alan Stern https://alanstern.space
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Footage and Images: NASA, IAU

💻Equipment Used:
Sony 6500a
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

Watching the 2017 in East Tennessee | 2017 Solar Eclipse

Digital Astronaut 2024-04-08 | This is an older video I'm re-uploading today in celebration of the April 8, 2024 solar eclipse! In August of 2017, my family journeyed to Friendsville, Tennessee, to watch the total solar eclipse from the lake. Actually, this was the very place where Jill and I got married, so it was really special being back for this!

We filmed and photographed it with two Sony a6500's and I also had my drone doing circles in the air to show the changing landscape. I'm so glad I had the drone as those shots ended up being my favorite, especially right when the moment of totality comes and you see the rapidly changing light on the clouds.

I didn't really know what I was doing - as you can see from the number of shots that are blurry or blown out. But still a fun video that I wanted to share with you all on this special day!

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Shot & Edited: Jared Belcher
Episode Music: “All is Not Lost" by Tony Anderson

💻Equipment Used:
Sony a6500
DJI Mavic Pro
2015 iMac
Final Cut Pro

That time we went behind-the-scenes at a Space Shuttle Launch

Digital Astronaut 2023-12-04 | It's story time! Twenty-five years ago today, my family went to NASA watch Space Shuttle Endeavor, STS-88, take the first US piece of the International Space Station. It's was supposed to be a normal, touristy trip. Instead, we unexpectedly found ourselves among the families of the astronauts in a behind-the-scenes experience we'll never forget. In this special episode, I sat down with my mom to share with you one of our family's space stories.

Thanks to NASA and to the Ross family for an incredible experience we will never forgot.

Happy 25th anniversary to the International Space Station! #nasa #space

Digital Astronaut 2023-11-20 | ...

Planet Venus: The Hottest Planet of the Solar System

Digital Astronaut 2023-11-06 | Today, we explore Earth's angsty twin, the planet Venus. It's the hottest planet in our solar system and unlike anywhere else we've been. We've used real photos from Venus, as well as high-resolution 4K animations to offer you a glimpse of what it might be like on the surface. We'll delve into its thick, toxic atmosphere, its acid rain, the massive volcanos and lava canals, and those breathtaking sulfuric clouds. From the Soviet Verera landers of the past to the innovative NASA concepts for human exploration in the future (like cloud stations!), Venus is an incredible (and slightly terrifying) planet to explore. Many at NASA think we should send humans to Venus before we go to Mars, and I tend to agree!

Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:38 - Seeing Venus in the Sky
01:05 - How long is a day on Venus?
01:40 - What's it like on Venus?
02:48 - The hottest planet in our solar system
03:17 - How did Venus get so hot?
03:52 - Venus' sulfuric acid rain
04:25 - Volcanos on Venus
05:15 - First missions to Venus
06:00 - Photos from Venus' Surface
06:20 - Could humans explore Venus?
08:08 - NASA's Apollo Venus Program
8:47 - NASA's cloud station concept
09:40 - Outro

Other Resources:
🔗 Learn more about Venus- solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/venus/overview
🔗 Watch Dr. Kirby Runyon's explanation of the Venus Backflip Maneuver - youtu.be/TEAJyo8JXpY?si=t9sCi08bPKLS13e8
🔗 Read the 2022 report on why we should explore Venus before Mars - https://kiss.caltech.edu/final_reports/Venus-Science-Final-Report.pdf

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.

💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Sony A6500
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

Musicbed SyncID: MB01P5Q06ANDWMV

Artemis-1 Launch Cinematic 4K (FULL VOLUME) No Music (NASAs SLS Rocket)

Digital Astronaut 2023-10-17 | By popular demand and to celebrate the 1 year anniversary, I've made an Artemis-1 cinematic launch video with no music. Just raw, solid rocket booster power. Using some of the best, slow-motion footage from NASA, combined with carefully edited sound design, I've tried to make the best launch video for rocket purists who just want to feel the power of the Space Launch System.

I recommend listening with high quality speakers or headphones for the full experience. Enjoy!

Other Resources:
🔗 NASA SLS homepage - nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/index.html
🔗 NASA Artemis-1 Details - nasa.gov/artemis-1
🔗 Overview of SLS - nasa.gov/exploration/systems/sls/fs/sls.html
🔗 Learn more about the Lunar Gateway - nasa.gov/gateway/overview
🔗 Learn more about the Orion Spacecraft - nasa.gov/exploration/systems/orion/about/index.html
🔗 Buy the Lego SLS set from Amazon - amzn.to/3RobStH

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Directed, Edited, and Sound Design by: Jared Belcher
Video and Audio provided by NASA

💻Equipment Used:
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
Final Cut Pro

How NASA explored Pluto: The New Horizons mission (with Dr. Alan Stern)

Digital Astronaut 2023-05-19 | In 2015, Pluto was explored for the very first time by NASA's New Horizon mission. Joining our conversation today is Dr. Alan Stern, a renowned planetary scientist and the leader of that very Pluto mission. In this short documentary, we're unraveling the incredible story of the longest and farthest space exploration mission humankind has ever embarked upon- all inspired by a tiny postage stamp!

00:00 - Intro
02:04 - When was Pluto discovered?
03:08 - Why send spacecraft to the planets?
04:32 - Who is Alan Stern?
05:59 - The case for a Pluto mission
07:27 - The New Horizons probe
09:26 - New Horizons launches for Pluto
11:00 - What can New Horizons do?
14:04 - The July 4th anomaly
16:00 - The Pluto flyby
17:47 - What we found at Pluto
19:24 - What happened to New Horizons after Pluto?
20:57 - Recap

👕 Buy the New Horizons Shirt (and support the channel!): https://digital-astronaut.square.site/product/new-horizons-dark-shirt-/17?cp=true&sa=false&sbp=false&q=false&category_id=4

Other Resources:
🔗 Visit New Horizons website and gallery http://pluto.jhuapl.edu
🔗 Buy Alan Stern's book "Chasing New Horizons" https://alanstern.space/chasing-new-horizons/
🔗 Watch the National Space Society's incredible Pluto flyby promo video youtube.com/watch?v=-Hbp8QYUQpc

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
Special Thanks to our Episode Guest: Dr. Alan Stern
Video and Image Thanks to: NASA, APL, National Space Society, and Southwest Research Institute
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Episode Music by: Bradford Night, David A. Molina, Will Patterson, Luke Atencio, Roary

💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Sony A6500
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone
2022 MacBook Air (M2)
2019 MacBook Pro
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

NASA unveils new suit for the moon

Digital Astronaut 2023-03-15 | ...

Mercurys Spin-Orbit Resonance (Animation)

Digital Astronaut 2023-03-03 | This is an animation we created for our episode about the planet Mercury, but we thought it might be helpful on its own. In the animation, the green light is a simple way to mark when a full rotation has happened. The astronaut is simply there to help you see Mercury's rotation. The yellow line is the zenith of the sun's light to help you mark the solar days.

Mercury is tidally locked with the sun in a 3:2 spin-orbit resonance, meaning that it rotates on its axis exactly 3 times for every two trips around the sun. Three sidereal days every two years.

A year on Mercury (the time it takes to orbit the sun once) is only 88 days. A single solar day (the time it takes for the sun to be in the same position in the sky on Mercury) takes 176 earth days. So its solar day is twice as long as its year. And while most planets in our solar system have fairly circular orbits, Mercury has an elliptical orbit. At its closet, or perihelion, Mercury is 29 million miles from the sun (47 million km) and at its farthest, or aphelion, it’s as far as 43 million miles (70 million km). As this happens, Mercury’s spin (its sidereal day) is constant, but the position of the sun in Mercury's sky speeds up, slows down, and even goes backwards sometimes!

So here are the highlights about Mercury's unique orbit:

Mercury’s orbit is highly elliptical.
Its year is 88 earth days.
Its Solar Day is 176 earth days.
Its Sidereal Day is 88 earth days.
Its tidally locked in a 3:2 spin-to-orbit resonance.

We hope this animation is helpful!

Watch our explanation episode about Mercury: youtube.com/watch?v=2JHpyRp2Sbw

Planet Mercury: The closest planet to the sun

Digital Astronaut 2023-03-03 | The closest planet to the sun is Mercury. It’s a rocky, desolate planet covered in craters but with a heart of iron- literally! But don’t let its barren surface fool you - Mercury is wild. Named after a Roman god, it has the gravity of a much larger planet and in a single day, the temperature changes over 1,100℉! And wait until you hear about Mercury’s days.

In this episode, we’re going to talk a lot about planetary orbits. We’ll try and wrap our heads around Mercury’s elliptical orbit, its solar days, sidereal days, and orbital resonance. Plus, we’re going to talk a little about why Mercury is difficult to explore and the spacecraft that have, including Mariner-10, Messenger, and BepiColombo.

Although it may seem like a boring, rocky little planet, Mercury has a lot of character and quirks.

Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:33 - Ancient History of Mercury
00:57 - Closest Planet to the Sun
01:33 - What is a “Day”?
01:42 - Solar Day vs Sidereal Day
02:36 - Circular Orbits vs Elliptical Orbits
03:17 - Perihelion on Mercury
03:37 - Overview of Mercury’s Orbit
03:52 - Mercury compared to other Planets
04:07 - Mercury’s Core
04:32 - Why Mercury has no Atmosphere
04:49 - Why Mercury is hard to Explore
05:37 - Wrap Up

Other Resources:
🔗 Learn more about Mercury- solarsystem.nasa.gov/planets/mercury/overview
🔗 Watch our full animation of Mercury's orbit- youtu.be/_msWDG4UDBA

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Episode Music: “Reborn” by Bradford Night

💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Sony A6500
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone amzn.to/3pCXF0g
2022 MacBook Air (M2) amzn.to/3ADHtlC
2019 MacBook Pro
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

Comet C/2022 E3

Digital Astronaut 2023-02-11 | The green comet C/2022 E3 (ZTF) really is something else. We’ve put together some of our favorite photos from astrophotographers around the world and music by @sleepingatlast.

It’s a comet that was only discovered a few months ago from an observatory in California while it was just inside the orbit of Jupiter, about 643 million kilometers away from the sun. Originally thought to be an asteroid, as it approached the sun, the comet began to emit its coma- the cloud of dust and ice surrounding its nucleus.

The green color is likely due to the presence of diatomic carbon, chiefly around the comet's head. The tail of the comet extends for over a million kilometers in space.

The comet has now approached Mars in the night sky, beside which it will remain for the next few nights. If you haven't gotten out to observe the comet with binoculars or a telescope yet, this week could offer a prime opportunity, as Mars can make for an easy-to-find reference point in the sky. At this point, you most likely won’t be able to see it with the naked eye.

Our friend @sleepingatlast has produced this beautiful song inspired by the comet. You can listen to it wherever you stream music!

Is that a star? Or a planet? Here’s how to tell 🔭

Digital Astronaut 2023-02-10 | ...

The first Christmas tree in space

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-24 | ...

The shuttle payload bay is probably bigger than you expect

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-22 | ...

How high could you jump on another planet? (VFX experiment)

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-12 | How high could you jump on another planet? What about on the moon? The gravity we experience on earth is very different from the gravity on other moons and planets across the solar system. So if we turned the dial on earth’s gravity to match the force of gravity on another planet, how high could you jump? Today, I’ve invited my friend Drew to help us find out! We built a green screen simulator and with some simple visual special effects, we can visualize how Drew could jump across the solar system.

If you want to try this thought experiment for yourself, here’s a link download an excel file and run this experiment for yourself! drive.google.com/file/d/1KmxbAkd7h1Vw7RwAs4iN6dhxiS_0lLYt/view?usp=share_link

📚If you’re a teacher, here’s a folder we’ve curated with several downloadable PDFs for your students to dive into this topic in class drive.google.com/drive/folders/1eDgxVbFu19sXOnhFVRdAG-2hphoeErdp?usp=sharing

Video Timestamps:
00:00 - Intro
00:22 - How we built this experiment
00:57 - How high could you jump on Earth?
01:07 - How high could you jump on Mars?
01:30 - How high could you jump on the Moon?
02:07 - How high could you jump on Jupiter?
02:59 - How high could you jump on Pluto?
04:10 - Recap

👨‍🚀 Follow us on Instagram for behind-the-scenes content and quick space-facts from our videos instagram.com/digitalastronaut.tv

🎥 Want to help us make more videos and reach more people? Like this video and subscribe to our channel!

Episode Credits:
Written, Directed, and Edited: Jared Belcher
3D Animation: Andy Belcher (instagram.com/andy__animates)
2D Animation and Compositing: Jared Belcher
Original Theme Music: Branded.
Episode Music: “Wide Awake” by Virgil Arles
Special Thanks to: Drew Fraley & Nick Bible

💻Equipment Used:
iPhone 13 Pro
Tascam DR-10L Portable Digital Audio Recorder With Lavalier Microphone amzn.to/3pCXF0g
Sony a6500 amzn.to/3yARkqT
2022 MacBook Air (M2) amzn.to/3ADHtlC
2019 MacBook Pro
Autodesk Maya
Final Cut Pro
Apple Motion

Astronauts can’t burp in space!

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-10 | ...

The strangest planet…

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-07 | ...

That’s no Death Star, that’s a moon!

Digital Astronaut 2022-12-02 | ...

We edited Artemis-1 as a cinematic experience (full video on channel)

Digital Astronaut 2022-11-22 | ...