Exploring Alcohol in Space: Science, Spirits, and the Future of Human Culture Beyond Earth
Hi there,
Happy Wednesday! Cheers to all your big and small wins so far this week. 🎉 Here’s a fun question for you: ever thought about what’s next for celebratory drinks beyond Earth?
A Night of Science and Storytelling
From ancient civilizations to modern celebrations, we've brewed, distilled, and shared drinks—an enduring part of human culture. Alcohol has always been intertwined with our history. But how does this timeless tradition fit into the future of space exploration?
That was the central question at a February screening of the documentary Alcohol in Space, where space enthusiasts, innovators, and future-focused thinkers gathered to explore the fascinating intersection of alcohol and space exploration.
Hosted by the nonprofit Explore Mars at the Circuit Launch robotics maker space in the heart of Silicon Valley, the event wasn’t just about whiskey aged on the ISS or champagne designed for microgravity (though those were certainly highlights!).
We took a deep dive into the intersection of space science, culture, and human experience—how something as timeless as alcohol offers insights into future economies, closed-loop life support, and even the psychology of long-duration space travel.
The Conversations That Flowed
I moderated a lively fireside chat with Chris Carberry (author of the book Alcohol in Space) and filmmaker Sam Burbank that kept the discussion flowing. We tackled some of the most intriguing questions at the intersection of alcohol and space exploration, including:
Regulations and traditions - Why alcohol in space remains a taboo subject, especially for government space agencies.
Psychology and well-being - What we do—and don’t—know about how alcohol affects astronauts psychologically and socially in extreme environments like Mars or deep-space missions.
Space hospitality and innovation - How the rise of commercial space stations and space tourism might lead to the first-ever space bar.
The discussion sparked curiosity and debate, reminding us that as we push toward Mars and beyond, we aren’t just taking technology with us—we’re bringing our humanity, culture, and traditions along for the journey.
And perhaps, that includes a well-crafted drink.
Gratitude and Looking Ahead
A huge thank you to all the folks who braved an atmospheric river to join us! Events like these remind us that as we push the boundaries of technology, we’re also carrying forward the traditions that make us human.
If you missed this event, you can still explore this incredible topic by picking up a copy of the book Alcohol in Space, and checking out the film streaming on Amazon Prime!
What drink would you never want to leave behind on a journey to space? 🚀🥂
Be voracious,
Tiffany
More Photos from the Awesome Event
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If you enjoyed reading this, you might also enjoy:
(Blog) Space, Innovation, & Collaboration: Key Insights from the Space Futures Workshop
(Blog) A Conversation on Why Making Life Better in Space Makes Life Better on Earth
(Video clip) Innovation for Mars and Impact on Earth
(Video clip) Book Recommendation: A City on Mars
(FISO Telecon Series) Harnessing Synthetic Biology on Mars: Challenges and Opportunities