Roland Miller Photography

Orbital Planes Gallery

Book: Orbital Planes: A Personal Vision of the Space Shuttle

Roland Miller’s Orbital Planes photographic project explores the Space Shuttle program by blending abstract and documentary styles. The images and book, Orbital Planes: A Personal Vision of the Space Shuttle, created from this work, offer a cohesive and detailed record of the technology and infrastructure of the Space Shuttle program. Miller captures the complexity and beauty of the Space Shuttle orbiters, rockets, and support facilities.

The Space Shuttles are among the most photographed objects in the world, whether through industrial documentation, photojournalism, or amateur efforts. However, the purpose of Orbital Planes is to create images that not only capture the essence of the Space Shuttle experience but also explore the technology and culture in ways not attempted by official government or photojournalistic documentation of this program.

Miller aims to provide sociological, historical, and artistic insights into the Space Shuttle era and to look at the possibilities for future space exploration through an abstract perspective on these topics. By removing these subjects from their literal context, he more readily investigates these themes. At the same time, this project remains, on one level, a documentary effort. To better explore the topic and engage viewers, Miller offers a foundational viewpoint by including some images that have a more documentary style. The combination of abstract and documentary approaches allows him to connect with viewers more deeply and view the subject from a broader perspective.