Did You Know That NASA Has Published A Bunch Of Comics?

Most people have wanted to be an astronaut at some point or another. Will they ever go to outer space? Probably not. However, that doesn’t stop people from being fascinated by outer space and NASA’s work. Jumping onto the NASA website highlights a treasure trove of great resources about what the space agency has been up to, what they’ve discovered, and many educational resources through images, video, and even comics.

NASA’s dabbling with comics is unsurprising when you think about it. The medium is fantastic at explaining complex and/or dense information, making it easier to comprehend. When done well, the text and image support one another and allow creators to relay the desired information in many ways.

Digging through the NASA website, I’ve come across several ways the space agency has used comics for its purpose.

The Adventures of Commander Moonkin Campos and Friends is an example of NASA using comics to explain in simple terms some of their initiatives. The three-part comic was published leading up to the 2022 Artemis I mission. These vertical-scrolling comics detail what will happen so the general public can comprehend the mission steps.

As an aside, Artemis I has an additional comics connection, with a Snoopy (of Peanuts fame) toy acting as a zero gravity indicator on the mission.

The space agency also publishes fiction through a science-fact lens. First Woman is a notable case detailing Commander Callie Rodriguez’s ambition of being the first woman on the Moon. While she isn’t real, the technologies featured throughout the three-issue series are – or at least in development at NASA. As a result, readers witness Callie experience what future astronauts will go through. The blending of fiction and fact entertains and educates, creating a more engaging message than if it were a talk or paper. Additionally, readers can use an XR app with the comic, which offers more details on the technologies for those curious.

These comics are not just NASA tooting their own horn. There are also plenty of educational comics that detail STEM topics. While digging through the NASA website, I discovered comics explaining quantum physics and another about cosmic rays. The Astrobiology department has been rather prolific in this area, with nine comics (translated into multiple languages) detailing the search for life in our universe and scientific concepts around it.

NASA has made these comics for the general public. Most of them boil down their topics into easily digestible portions, catering to those curious about our universe and what NASA does. While the passionate will gravitate towards them, these comics are a good entry point for those with a mild interest and are a friendly way to get people of all ages interested in science and technology.

Science teachers may find some of these comics helpful. Some of these comics include lesson plans and additional materials and could help explain topics in a manner that’s more engaging for students.

I’ve linked to many comics but I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface. There are likely dozens that I haven’t discovered on the site, especially regarding the more STEM-based educational comics. This is because there’s no central location for these comics. Instead, they’re scattered throughout different initiatives and department hubs. I highly recommend using the search feature on the NASA site, plugging in terms like “comic” or “graphic novel” if you want to look for more.

It might come as a surprise that NASA would be producing comics at first. However, the more you think about it, the more it makes sense. Many assume that science and technology are dry or difficult topics by default. By creating material that explains missions or related topics in engaging ways, NASA can reach people of all ages in new ways – hopefully inspiring and fascinating the masses at the same time.