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CHRISTOPH OTTO: AUTHOR AND PHOTOGRAPHER

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER: NASA´S BOOTCAMP FOR ASTRONAUTS

Text and photos by Christoph Otto

The control centre for all future projects is in Texas: The NASA‘s Johnson Space Center in Houston is the largest and most important centre in the world for manned space flight. It has two objectives: to train astronauts and to bring them back safely to earth. Over 15,000 space technicians, computer engineers and trainers work around the clock like bees in a hive to facilitate this.

JOHNSON SPACE CENTER: NASA´S BOOTCAMP FOR ASTRONAUTS

Text and photos by Christoph Otto

The control centre for all future projects is in Texas: The NASA‘s Johnson Space Center in Houston is the largest and most important centre in the world for manned space flight. It has two objectives: to train astronauts and to bring them back safely to earth. Over 15,000 space technicians, computer engineers and trainers work around the clock like bees in a hive to facilitate this.

COLOMBIA: AND IN THE DEPTH THE RIO NEGRO IS ROARING

Text and photos by Christoph Otto

In the isolated Colombian rainforest where Daisy Mora lives, there is no schoolbus to take students to school on the other side of the canyon. So nine-year-old Daisy uses the only transport system available: steel cables – 1000 meters long – connect the slopes to both sides of the river. With 80 kilometers per hour she almost flies to school. It takes only sixty seconds to cross the abyss of the Rio Negro, which gurgles through the rainforest. Daisy and her brother Jamid, who is riding inside the jute bag, hook themselves to a pulley and push off. To avoid plummeting into the Rio Negro 400 meters below, the girl clings to a fork made from a tree branch that helps her to slow down the speed.

 

IRAN: THE VEIL IS LIFTING

Text and photos by Christoph Otto

Ever since the revolution, the western world has feared Iran. For 36 years, relations have been frozen between the two sides. In 2015 economic sanctions have been lifted, following the agreement on the nuclear dispute. During the last two years Iran has returned to the world market. However what is awaiting the people there on a personal front since the new US president Trump is in power? We look at a country and society faced by many prejudices and changes.

 

NEW YORK: IF WOUNDS COULD HEAL

Text and photos by Christoph Otto

The terror attacks on the World Trade Center in New York took away what was most important for thousands of people: their family members, friends and their confidence. Over 3000 people died due to the attacks and thousands more from the consequences. The famous towers disappeared forever. After the 11th of September 2001 nothing was as it had been before. Today the place is an expression of grief and of a new beginning, with the new buildings representing now a tourist magnet. I met people in New York whose life took an abrupt turn on the 11th of September. This story tells of how the day changed their lives and how they have come to terms with this.