How seeing Earth from 400 km above makes borders and wars disappear

Space · Published 7 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: While orbiting 400 km above our planet, ESA astronaut Thomas Pesquet found that the vastness of the cosmos offers a startling clarity. From the International Space Station, the complexities of human conflict and national borders seem to vanish, replaced by a profound sense of unity and the simplicity of life itself.

For Thomas Pesquet, an astronaut with the European Space Agency, space travel is less about the technology and more about the perspective it grants. In his video 'New Eyes,' Pesquet reflects on his time aboard the International Space Station, noting that the immense effort required to reach orbit serves a surprising purpose: it helps us understand the simplicity of the Earth, the cosmos, and life as a single unity.

This psychological shift is a recognized phenomenon known as the 'overview effect.' From his vantage point, Pesquet remarked that it becomes incredibly difficult to comprehend the logic of borders, wars, and hate. Instead of seeing a world divided by political lines, the view from space encourages a realization of humanity's shared journey of discovery.

Pesquet’s reflections touch on a theme echoed by the French author Marcel Proust, who suggested that true discovery involves possessing 'other eyes' to behold the universe through the perspectives of others. For Pesquet, the mission was not merely about being a 'spaceman' or a 'French astronaut,' but about being a human participating in a collective voyage of discovery.

Even during festive moments, such as a Christmas spent in orbit, the experience remains distinct. While Pesquet celebrated with canned meals prepared by French chefs—including ox-tongue from his home region of Normandy and apple gingerbread—the overarching takeaway from his mission was the profound connection felt toward the planet below.

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