NASA Astronaut Thomas Marshburn Reads “Goodnight Moon” in Space and Mark Vande Hei Answers Questions

TL;DR

Astronauts discuss their experiences living and working on the International Space Station, including passing time, seeing colors in space, and challenges faced.

Transcript

[Clapping and cheering] Test. Test. [Children laughing] Hello. My name is Tom Marshburn and I'm an astronaut living and working aboard the International Space Station. This is a spacecraft about the size of a five bedroom house orbiting 250 miles high, traveling 17,500 miles per hour around the earth so fast that we circle the earth every 90 minute... Read More

Key Insights

• 🫵 The International Space Station offers breathtaking views of Earth and the universe.
• 🥮 NASA is preparing for future missions to the moon, including putting the first woman and first person of color on the moon's surface.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronauts can see colors in space and appreciate the various shades and colors they encounter.
• 👨‍🚀 Waiting for a space mission and managing distractions are some of the challenges faced by astronauts.
• 🧑‍🚀 The astronauts have diverse interests and potential career paths outside of being astronauts, such as teaching and working in the renewable energy sector.
• ✴️ Stars in space appear as steady points of light without the twinkle seen from Earth due to the lack of atmosphere.
• 👨‍🚀 Floating in space is comparable to being in a pool, where the only surfaces touching the astronauts are their clothes and the air.

Questions & Answers

Q: What do astronauts do to pass the time on the International Space Station?

Astronauts enjoy the incredible views of space through the windows, read books, and have the ability to talk to their families on Earth through phone calls.

Q: When will we go to the moon again?

NASA is testing the space launch system and Orion spacecraft, and they hope to send the first crew to the moon within the next few years and ultimately land on the moon within the next decade.

Q: Can astronauts see colors in space?

Yes, astronauts can see colors in space as their eyes work the same way as on Earth. They can see different colors in the environment, including city lights, ocean shades, and the colors of stars.

Q: What was the biggest challenge astronauts faced in space and how did they overcome it?

Waiting for the flight and learning another language, like Russian, were some challenges. Additionally, the abundance of distractions and tasks on the space station can make focusing on one thing a challenge.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronauts on the International Space Station discuss their experiences and the view of Earth from space.

• They talk about the upcoming test of the new space launch system and Orion spacecraft, preparing for future missions to the moon.

• The astronauts also answer questions about how they pass time, seeing colors in space, and their biggest challenges.