Space Station Commander Discusses Life in Space with CBS’ Internet Outlet

TL;DR

Astronaut Scott Kelly discusses the effects of weightlessness, ongoing research, and his experience living on the International Space Station.

Transcript

station this is houston are you ready for the event i am ready for the event cbs interactive this is mission control houston please call station for a voice check station this is cbs interactive how do you hear me i have you loud and clear how many we are ready sir we hear you all right commander kelly thank you so much for doing this astronaut sco... Read More

Key Insights

• 🎟️ Scott Kelly's year-long mission on the International Space Station is focused on studying the effects of weightlessness on the human body.
• ☠️ Negative effects of living in microgravity include vision changes, bone and muscle loss, and effects on the immune system.
• 😳 Flu shots in space are used to study immune system responses in a sterile environment.
• 😪 Living in space for a long duration affects sleep patterns but can alleviate aches and pains experienced on Earth.

Questions & Answers

Q: What are some of the negative effects of living in a microgravity environment?

Living in microgravity can lead to vision changes, bone and muscle loss, and effects on the immune system. These effects are being studied throughout Kelly's year in space.

Q: Why did Scott Kelly receive a flu shot in space?

The flu shot was not to protect Kelly from the flu but to study his immune system's response in comparison to his genetically similar brother on Earth. It was an experiment to understand the science of the immune system in space.

Q: Have there been any changes in Scott Kelly's mood or behavior during his time in space?

Kelly expected to feel fatigue and the effects of being constantly at work in a stringent schedule. However, he hasn't noticed significant changes in his mood or behavior. This aspect of his experience is of interest to researchers.

Q: How does sleeping in space compare to sleeping on Earth?

Sleeping in space is different without the feeling of weight from blankets and sheets. However, aches and pains on Earth tend to disappear in space, making sleeping more comfortable in that regard.

Q: Can Scott Kelly see storms moving on Earth from space?

Although storms on Earth may be moving, the speed at which the International Space Station travels (17,500 miles per hour) makes it appear as if the storms are standing still.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Astronaut Scott Kelly is halfway through his year-long mission on the International Space Station.

• He discusses the negative effects of living in a microgravity environment, including vision changes, bone and muscle loss, and immune system effects.

• Kelly explains that the flu shot he received in space was to study the immune system's response in a sterile environment.