Cosmos and consciousness: Intersection of Science and Human Emotions in Samantha Harvey’s Orbital.

Rinku Ashvinchandra Acharya

Cosmos and consciousness: Intersection of Science and Human Emotions in Samantha Harvey’s Orbital.

Author(s)	Dr. Rinku Ashvinchandra Acharya
Country	India
Abstract	Samantha Harvey's Orbital explores the intersection of scientific exploration, human consciousness, and emotional experience through the lives of astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Rather than functioning as a conventional work of science fiction, the novel uses the unique perspective of space to examine humanity's relationship with Earth, identity, and existence. This article investigates how Harvey presents science and human emotions not as opposing forces but as interconnected dimensions of human experience. Drawing on qualitative textual analysis, the study examines how space serves as both a physical setting and a philosophical metaphor for exploring emotions such as love, nostalgia, fear, wonder, and belonging. Although physically detached from Earth, the astronauts develop a heightened emotional awareness of humanity and the interconnectedness of all living beings, revealing the vulnerability and fragility of human life. The analysis further argues that the journey through the cosmos parallels an inward journey of self-discovery, encouraging reflection on morality, identity, belonging, and collective human experience. The study concludes that Orbital presents the cosmos and human consciousness as inseparable, positioning the novel as a bridge between scientific inquiry, literary imagination, and the emotional dimensions of human existence.
Keywords	Orbital, Science and Literature, Human Consciousness, Space Exploration, International Space Station, Cosmos, Ecocriticism, Planetary Fiction, Emotional Attachment, Existentialism
Field	Arts
Published In	Volume 8, Issue 5, September-October 2026
Published On	2026-09-30

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Cosmos and consciousness: Intersection of Science and Human Emotions in Samantha Harvey’s Orbital.

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