Space Station Crew Members Discuss Upcoming Spacewalks and Life in Space

TL;DR

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station had a special French meal for New Year's, are preparing for spacewalks, and are excited about upcoming events like the Super Bowl.

Transcript

station this is houston are you ready for the event houston we are ready associated press this is mission control houston please call station for a voice check thank you expenses associated press how do you hear me hello marcia loud and clear well happy new year to you both greetings from the kennedy space center in florida um tell me how did you r... Read More

Key Insights

• 🥳 The astronauts had a special French meal for New Year's, showcasing the international aspect of their celebrations.
• 🗯️ The main focus for the astronauts right now is on the upcoming spacewalks, and they are confident in the ground preparation.
• 👨‍🚀 Spacewalks are mentally and physically challenging, but the astronauts appreciate the opportunity to work in space and accomplish their mission.
• 🤕 The batteries on the space station need to be replaced due to age and loss of efficiency.
• 😤 The robotics work done by the ground team has been crucial in making the spacewalks more efficient and reducing the number of EVAs required.
• 👾 The astronauts have been able to watch football games and space-themed movies while in orbit.
• 👾 Peggy's body has adapted well to weightlessness, and she enjoys being in space.

Questions & Answers

Q: What special meal did the astronauts have for New Year's?

The astronauts had a French meal provided by the French astronaut, which included dishes like ox tongue, chicken in white wine sauce, and gingerbread.

Q: What are the astronauts' space-themed New Year's resolutions?

The astronauts' main focus right now is on the upcoming spacewalks, so they haven't specifically made any space-themed resolutions. Their resolution is for the spacewalks to be successful.

Q: How is the ground preparation for the spacewalks going?

The ground preparation for the spacewalks has been going extremely well. The batteries have been successfully replaced, and they are ahead of schedule.

Q: How is it going out for a spacewalk after such a long time?

The astronauts mentioned that although there has been a gap of nine years since their last spacewalks, once they get into the procedures, they remember everything and it feels familiar. The preparation process has been a good learning experience for them.

Q: How is Peggy adapting to weightlessness this time around?

Peggy mentioned that her body adapted even faster this time, despite the gap of seven to eight years since her last flight. She sleeps well in space and loves being weightless.

Q: Did the astronauts get to watch any space-themed movies in space?

Yes, the astronauts were privileged to see movies like "Passengers," "Star Wars," and "Hidden Figures." They enjoyed watching space movies while being in space.

Q: How are the spacewalks for the battery changeouts expected to go?

The spacewalks are expected to go well if everything works as planned. However, there can always be complications, but the ground team is prepared to handle any issues that may arise.

Q: How does the robotics work help with the spacewalks?

The robotics work performed by the ground team has been a time-saver. Without the robotics, the astronauts would have had to do six spacewalks instead of the planned two. The robotics work assists in completing the tasks more efficiently.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• The astronauts had a special New Year's meal provided by the French astronaut, including dishes like ox tongue, chicken in white wine sauce, and gingerbread.

• Their main focus right now is preparing for upcoming spacewalks and ensuring their success.

• Ground preparation for the spacewalks has been going well, with the batteries being replaced smoothly.