NASA STEM Stars: Astronaut Doug “Wheels” Wheelock | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

NASA STEM Stars announces the winners of the Brightest Station Challenge and interviews astronaut Doug Wheelock.

Key Insights

• 🧑‍🏫 Astronaut Doug Wheelock's career journey was inspired by a teacher who believed in his potential to become an astronaut.
• 🧑‍🚀 NASA selects astronauts from various STEM fields, including both civilian and military backgrounds.
• 👨‍🚀 Astronaut training involves underwater simulations and preparation for potential failures in space.
• 👾 Being in space changes one's perspective and makes one appreciate the simple things in life.

Transcript

still fans are you ready let's hear it for the world class NASA stem stars team from NASA centers across the country we present astronaut we a la well hello and welcome stars I'm Jen Hudgens coming to you from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida obviously I'm not at Space Center I'm from home that's so all of us and this is a very special edition b... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: How did Doug Wheelock's teacher inspire him to become an astronaut?

Wheelock's teacher, Christine West, told him that one day he could go to the moon too, inspiring him to pursue a career in space exploration.

Q: What kind of training do astronauts undergo for spacewalks?

Astronauts train underwater to simulate the weightless conditions of space. They practice failure scenarios to be prepared for any challenges that may arise.

Q: Is a military background necessary to become an astronaut?

While many early astronauts had military backgrounds, it is not a requirement. NASA now selects astronauts from various STEM fields, including civilian scientists, engineers, and researchers.

Q: How does being in space change one's outlook on life?

Being in space made Wheelock appreciate simple things on Earth, such as the sound and smell of rain and the feeling of wind through the trees. It also made him value each day and not take anything for granted.

Q: What excites Doug Wheelock the most about space?

Wheelock is excited about pushing the boundaries of what is possible and seeing how NASA's work in space can improve life on Earth, including taking better care of ourselves, each other, and the planet.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• NASA STEM Stars announces the winners of the Brightest Station Challenge, which involved writing code for docking with the International Space Station.

• Astronaut Doug Wheelock shares his pathway to becoming an astronaut, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, passion, and hard work.

• Wheelock discusses the training and experiences of being an astronaut, including learning Russian, underwater training, and the excitement and challenges of spaceflight.