designboom takes its first step towards interstellar travel
in collaboration with NASA, space nation navigator has developed an app to identify viable astronaut candidates worldwide.
as conversation about space exploration has entered an age of privatization, NASA has recently announced a collaboration with space nation navigator — an app that acts as a vehicle for identifying actual viable astronaut candidates through a series of mini-games, quizzes and other challenges. users are encouraged to set physical fitness goals, while also exercising their minds through space-related puzzle tests and harnessing social media to build teams. your performance on these ‘tests’ determines your viability and opportunity to be a part of space nations’ selection process, set to take place around the start of 2019. 
space nation provides the opportunity for space travel once only reserved for the wealthy
candidates from around the world that have taken part in the competition will be assessed on their performance and then invited for psychological and health assessments. this pool will be boiled down to a group of the 100 best candidates that will enter an astronaut-training regime for a number of months, with one chosen for a suborbital flight.
the design of the app is based on minigames and puzzles to exercise your brain, body & culture
space f also provides prizes and opportunities to be won via performance besides an interstellar ticket, with three experiences to be won for 2018. the first prize in may 2018 was a trip to iceland; then in june a trip to tel aviv; and coming up in september, a trip to poland for a european rover challenge. space nation highlights the new age of travel and exploration that we currently live in by utilizing social media and communication to inspire an interest in space and health.
after first downloading the app, you are given a brief description of what the app will provide you with
the designboom team has entered the race for space travel — we’ve played the following mini-games:
‘lunch anyone,’ is meant to teach how poor handling of food in space due to zero gravity causes mess
‘cultural understanding quiz,’ teaches participants basic facts of different cultures and communications tactics
‘mind-boggling questions,’ exercise is meant to increase communication, build relationships and experiences with other astronauts
the leaderboard allows you to rank your performances throughout the entire space nation network
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