#AskNASA From Space: Astronauts Answer Your Questions

TL;DR

Astronauts answer questions about their interest in space, the smell of space, the view of the Moon from the ISS, research on the ISS, and advice for aspiring scientists.

Transcript

Station, this is Headquarters. How do you hear me? Hello Headquarters. The International Space Station has you loud and clear. Awesome. Well, this is such a pleasure. My name is Cheryl Warner in the Office of Communications. However, today I'm calling you on behalf of the Internet. We asked our followers on Twitter using the hashtag #AskNASA and ou... Read More

Key Insights

• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts often develop an interest in space exploration at a young age and maintain their passion throughout life.
• 😘 The smell inside the spacecraft and the ISS is attributed to the interaction between metal and the space environment.
• 😘 The view of the Moon from the ISS is not significantly different in size but appears clearer due to the absence of Earth's atmosphere.
• 😘 Research conducted on the ISS contributes to future deep space exploration and has practical applications for life on Earth, such as pharmaceutical development.
• 🧑‍🚀 Pursuing one's passion and working hard are crucial in achieving dreams, as exemplified by the astronauts' journey to becoming astronauts.

Questions & Answers

Q: At what age did you realize you were interested in space?

Both astronauts knew from a young age that they wanted to be astronauts, with one starting at five years old and the other in kindergarten. They never grew out of their dream.

Q: Does the air feel or smell different when moving from the Soyuz spacecraft to the ISS?

The astronauts explain that there is a distinct smell in space, known as the smell of space, which comes from the metallic materials in the spacecraft. The smell was similar when transitioning from the Soyuz to the ISS.

Q: Does the Moon look farther away from the ISS than it does from Earth?

The astronauts clarify that the distance to the Moon from the ISS is not significantly different from the distance on Earth. However, the lack of Earth's atmosphere provides clearer visibility, sometimes making it appear closer.

Q: If given the opportunity, what would you be most interested in doing on the Moon?

The astronauts express their excitement about going back to the Moon, emphasizing the potential for new scientific discoveries and contributing to unanswered questions from previous missions, particularly in planetary geology and astrobiology.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Two astronauts share their lifelong interest in space and becoming astronauts.

• They discuss the smell of space, which is the result of the interaction between metals in the spacecraft and the space environment.

• The astronauts talk about the view of the Moon from the ISS, explaining that it looks similar in size but clearer due to not being viewed through Earth's atmosphere.