Space Station Crew Member Discusses Life in Space with Maryland Students

TL;DR

During a Q&A session with Leeds Elementary School students, Colonel Fischer answered questions about his interest in working for NASA, the most interesting things he has seen in space, what he eats in space, and how he prepares for a spacewalk.

Transcript

GOOD MORNING COLONEL FISCHER AND WELCOME TO LEEDS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL HERE IN ELKTON MARYLAND. OUR FIRST LADY ASTRONAUT SALLY RIDE ONCE SAID OUR FUTURE LIES WITH TODAYS KIDS AND THE FUTURE SPACE EXPLORATION. STUDENTS ARE OUR GREATEST ASSET. WE'RE VERY EXCITED FOR THEM FOR THE WONDERFUL OPPORTUNITY. WE LOOK FORWARD TO THE FUTURE AND WHAT THE CHILD... Read More

Key Insights

• 👾 Sally Ride's statement that the future of space exploration lies with today's kids and their potential contributions.
• 👾 Colonel Fischer's childhood visit to Houston's rocket and how it sparked his interest in space.
• 👾 The awe-inspiring view of space during a spacewalk and the impact it had on Colonel Fischer.
• 😅 The playful aspect of eating in space and how Colonel Fischer turns coffee into small balls to make it more fun.
• 🤢 The physical and mental preparations required for a spacewalk and the use of a zero-g simulation pool.
• 💦 The busy schedule of an astronaut on the International Space Station, which includes workouts, science experiments, and maintaining the station.
• ✊ The power generation on the space station through large solar arrays and the presence of backup power channels.

Questions & Answers

Q: How did you become interested in working for NASA?

Colonel Fischer became interested in NASA when he was six years old after seeing a rocket in Houston. This sparked his imagination and desire to do something with space, leading him to serve in the Air Force Academy and pursue a career with NASA.

Q: What is the most interesting thing you've ever seen in space?

According to Colonel Fischer, the most interesting thing he has seen in space is the view during a spacewalk. Being able to see the entire expanse of space and the stars above was both amazing and breathtaking for him.

Q: What do you eat in space?

Colonel Fischer enjoys eating everything in space and mentioned his favorite dish is coffee, which he turns into small balls that he can play with and consume.

Q: What do you have to do to prepare for a spacewalk?

Preparing for a spacewalk involves physical training and practicing in a zero-g simulation pool. Colonel Fischer also highlighted the importance of studying the systems in the space suit to be able to perform tasks easily in zero gravity.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Colonel Fischer shared how his interest in working for NASA began when he was six years old, after seeing a rocket in Houston, and how he served in the Air Force Academy to pursue his dream.

• He described the most interesting thing he has seen in space as the view during a spacewalk, with the entirety of space and the stars above being breathtaking.

• Colonel Fischer discussed the food he eats in space and demonstrated how he turns coffee into small balls that he can play with and consume.

• He explained the preparations required for a spacewalk, which include physical training, practicing in a zero-g simulation pool, and studying the systems in the space suit.