Space Station Commander Discusses Life in Space with Students from Former School

TL;DR

Astronaut Shane Kimbrough answers questions about his favorite experiments, life in space, hygiene, and more during a Q&A session with students from Levitt School.

Transcript

hello lovett from the space station honey here hear you just fine shane do you hear us okay hey billy great to talk to you and great to talk to the love at family today shane we have several hundred folks here in our hendrick chanel theater representing our student body our faculty our parent body our alumni body some of your old school mates are h... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎟️ Astronauts on the ISS have a lot more time to conduct experiments compared to shuttle missions.
• 🫵 The cupola, a window-filled module, provides astronauts with breathtaking views of Earth.
• 🦷 Hygiene tasks, such as brushing teeth and washing hair, require some adjustment in the absence of gravity.
• 🗑️ Trash management is crucial on the space station, with specific procedures in place to handle dry and wet trash.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts do not have access to showers in space and must use wet towels or washcloths for cleaning.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts wear their clothes for as long as possible before disposing of them due to limited storage space.
• 👾 The force required to control the direction of the space station is minimal, thanks to thrusters.
• 😪 Sleeping quarters on the ISS consist of sleeping bags attached to the walls, offering privacy and a space for personal belongings.
• 😘 Food on the ISS is either rehydratable or heated using a convection oven, and astronauts can enjoy a variety of cuisines from different countries.
• 🧑‍🚀 Astronauts communicate with each other using both visual contact inside the station and radio communication during spacewalks.

Questions & Answers

Q: What is your favorite experiment that you've done or planned to do on the ISS?

Kimbrough's favorite experiment has been growing plants, specifically lettuce, which he was able to harvest and eat during his time on the ISS.

Q: What was it like to orbit Earth for two days before docking to the ISS?

Kimbrough describes it as a long and cramped experience being in the small Soyuz spacecraft with two other crew members, but they used the time to acclimate to the space environment.

Q: Where is your favorite place to hang out on the space station?

The cupola, a module with windows offering a view of Earth, is the favorite place for astronauts on the space station.

Q: How do you brush your teeth in space?

Without sinks, astronauts have two options: spit the toothpaste into a napkin or swallow it. Most astronauts, including Kimbrough, choose to swallow it due to the messiness of spitting it out.

Q: Is there a trash can on the space station, and can you recycle?

Trash is carefully managed on the ISS, with dry and wet trash separated. It is then placed in cargo vehicles that depart from the station, such as the Japanese cargo vehicle, which takes the trash away.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Shane Kimbrough's favorite experiment in space has been growing plants and being able to eat lettuce that he grew himself.

• During the two-day journey before docking at the International Space Station (ISS), the crew acclimated themselves to the space environment and microgravity in the small Soyuz spacecraft.

• The favorite location of astronauts on the ISS is the cupola, which is a module filled with windows providing a 360-degree view of Earth.