Too Far? Morbid 'Astronaut Suicides' Photos Show Rocketeers' Last Moments

NASA's space shuttle program is no more. This, of course, is a fact that has led to sadness among many individuals and parties who believe in the importance of U.S.-led missions into the extraterrestrial unknown. But, a new comedic, yet morbid, photography project seeks to make light of what many deem to be "the end of an era." Pete Brook of Wired.com writes:

Piggy-backing on the mixed emotions of the country about the end of NASA’s space shuttle program, photographer Neil DaCosta and art director Sara Phillips produced a darkly comic project by staging fictitious last moments of a distraught anonymous, unemployed astronaut.

These images, though, aren't just "last moments." They capture suicides as a result of these rocketeers joining the ranks of America's unemployed (that's the "morbid" part). Brook continues:

Be it funny or of questionable taste, Astronaut Suicides not only reflects on the end of a childhood icon, but also taps into the anxiety many Americans are feeling over jobs, pensions and livelihoods since the economic downturn took hold three years ago.

DaCosta and Phillips hope that the images encourage people to pay attention to what's going on in America. While some will surely find the photos enjoyable, others may be offended by use of suicide to make comedic and sociopolitical statements.

Here's one last image for you to "enjoy" (view the entire photo spread here and take our poll below):

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