Next Space Station Crew Discusses Mission | Summary and Q&A

TL;DR

The Expedition 46/47 crew, consisting of veteran astronaut Tim Kopra, Russian space agency member Yuri Malenchenko, and British astronaut Timothy Peake, discuss their upcoming mission to the International Space Station and their excitement for conducting research and producing good science during their five-month stay.

Key Insights

• 👨‍🔬 The crew is excited about the opportunity to conduct research and contribute to scientific knowledge during their mission.
• 👾 They will be part of a multinational crew, emphasizing the effectiveness of international cooperation in space exploration.
• 🚂 The crew is well-trained and prepared for the mission, with a focus on teamwork and effective communication.
• 👾 They have different areas of interest in terms of scientific experiments, but all crew members are eager to contribute to advancing scientific knowledge in space.
• 😪 Sleep in space is different from sleep on Earth, but crew members adapt to the microgravity environment and find ways to sleep comfortably.

Transcript

YURI FIRST FLEW IN SPACE IN 1994 ON THE MIR 16 MISSION. THIS CREW WILL SPEND SIX MONTHS ON THE STATION WITH A SCHEDULED LANDING IN MAY OF 2016. >> GOOD AFTERNOON. THANK YOU FOR JOINING US HERE AT NASA JOHNSON SPACE CENTER. WE ARE EXCITED TO BE JOINED BY THE EXPEDITION 46/47 CREW WHO WILL BE HEADING TO THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION WITH THEIR LAUN... Read More

Questions & Answers

Q: What are the major milestones you'll have during your five months on the International Space Station?

The crew will focus on utilizing the space station for scientific research and producing good science. They will have access to resupply vehicles and potentially conduct EVAs. The primary goal is to use the orbiting laboratory for its intended purpose and contribute to scientific knowledge.

Q: What are you most looking forward to during your time on the space station?

Each crew member expressed excitement about different aspects of the mission. Timothy Peake is looking forward to viewing planet Earth and experiencing weightlessness. Tim Kopra is interested in conducting hands-on experiments, particularly those relating to water and eye health. Yuri Malenchenko is enthusiastic about observing Earth from space and researching the Earth's surface, events in the Earth's atmosphere, and the ionosphere.

Q: What is the most challenging aspect of training for a space mission?

Tim Kopra mentioned that intense physical training, particularly for spacewalks, can be challenging. Tim Peake acknowledged the demanding training schedule and the extensive travel required for training in different countries. Yuri Malenchenko emphasized the importance of teamwork and the need to work together effectively as a crew.

Q: How do you cope with the challenges of sleeping in space?

Sleeping in space is different from sleeping on Earth. Some crew members find it helpful to position their backs against a wall to simulate a more natural sleeping experience. They mentioned that sleep quality can vary, but overall, they sleep well in the microgravity environment.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The crew will spend five months on the International Space Station, with a focus on utilizing the station for scientific research and producing good science.

• They will have a plethora of resupply vehicles and potentially conduct a couple of EVAs (extravehicular activities).

• Yuri Malenchenko is excited about the multiple EVAs and the intense science research program during the mission.