The Challenge of Gaming for Astronauts in Space

September 8, 2025 - 19:22

Astronaut Jonny Kim recently shared his unique perspective on the intersection of space exploration and video gaming. During a demonstration that allowed him to control robots on Earth, Kim expressed that the experience felt reminiscent of playing video games. He remarked, "This demo brought me right back," highlighting the similarities between the two activities.

While astronauts like Kim are trained for high-stakes missions in space, they often find themselves missing the leisure activities they enjoyed on Earth, particularly gaming. The immersive nature of video games, combined with the thrill of navigating robotic systems, creates a fascinating parallel to the challenges faced in space.

Kim's comments shed light on the importance of maintaining a connection to hobbies and interests, even when engaged in groundbreaking scientific work. As technology continues to evolve, the potential for integrating gaming concepts into training and operations for astronauts may offer a new avenue for enhancing their skills and experiences.