Jessica Meir

NASA Astronaut. Scientist. Mother. Explorer. Nature lover. Back on Earth after another 7-month mission in space.

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

There is a lot going on right now on the @Space_Station, but fortunately we are all safe and witnessed a spectacular southern aurora show yesterday thanks to a recent solar event.

[NASA's Johnson Space Center @NASAJohnson]

Incoming call: Your Future📲🚀

NASA astronaut applications are officially OPEN!
The next generation of explorers will help shape the future of human spaceflight. Could you be among them?

Answer the call. Explore the qualifications and apply by Dec. 3: https://t.co/uKqmXyDeUX

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Come join us @NASAKennedy for Max Power! Astronaut applications are now open, check out https://t.co/KI6Tgexssv

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Come join us @NASA! Astronaut applications are open!

[NASA @NASA]

Do you want to be an astronaut?

Applications are now open to join NASA's astronaut corps. Join us as we expand the frontiers of discovery in low Earth orbit, on the Moon, and beyond — apply by Dec. 3: https://t.co/laY2ExWiGO

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Apollo legend astronaut Charlie Duke was the first astronaut I ever met, back when I was in high school. He answered my eager questions and even replied to my typewritten letter. I still have it and even brought it along on my first mission to the @Space_Station! Thanks for the inspiration Charlie - wonderful to see you at @NASA Max Power! https://t.co/uBZpFLz9bp

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Peak cycle! A flashback from my cycle test 5 days after return to Earth from the @Space_Station. A mask collects the air we exhale to measure the amount of CO2 we exhale (our metabolic rate), and electrodes measure our heart rate and rhythm. Our scientists and doctors use these data to ensure all is well with our cardiovascular snd respiratory systems.

Just 5 days after landing and I exceeded my performance from my last test before the flight! Yet another indication that our exercise equipment on the ISS not only maintains, but can increase our fitness level even while in microgravity.

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

@NASA and @HarrisVotes do an excellent job of ensuring astronauts can vote, whether they’re on or off the planet! For the primary this spring, I cast my ballot from the @Space_Station. Since my ballot for this election was sent in advance to my @Space_Station email address but now I’m back on Earth, it took a few extra logistics to get it to the right place. Thank you to all at @NASAJohnson and @HarrisVotes for getting the job done! Get out there and exercise your right to vote!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Strong bones! Many of you asked for more about the bone strength study in my recent post. The area on my shin was numbed with lidocaine and the investigator used this instrument to penetrate to the bone surface and get a reading of the material strength of my tibia. Thanks to lots of exercise on-board the @Space_Station, my tibia was actually stronger than it was pre-flight!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Space skate! A tribute to the raddest skaters I know down on planet Earth. This one is for my brother (and all skating members of the posse), my husband and our little ripper daughter, and all the inspired shredders. Hey @tonyhawk, what trick would you try up here?

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Space Toilet! One of the questions we are asked most as astronauts is how we go to the bathroom in space. The answer is “Carefully”! Welcome aboard the @Space_Station WHC (Waste Hygiene Compartment) - our beloved Space Toilet! Here’s how it works.

[NASA's Johnson Space Center @NASAJohnson]

What stays with you after a journey beyond Earth? 🌎

Following their postflight news conference, we caught up with some of @NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts to reflect on the moments from their time in space that will stay with them forever. Hear the memories behind the mission.

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Join us on the @Space_Station for a space ride!

[Peloton @onepeloton]

Different missions, one incredible community. 🫶
Making history for Peloton and beyond, Dr. Jessica Meir brings a whole new perspective to what it means to ride together.
The 20 min Space Ride is now available On Demand & launching on Youtube 10/23

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Yesterday’s bone density scans. This DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machine uses low dose X-rays to measure bone density and body composition. Without the loading signal of gravity, our bones will leach calcium in space, which can lead to significant losses in bone density. This is why it is so important for us to exercise in space. Thanks to lots of weight lifting on the @Space_Station, the preliminary results show that the bone density in my spine actually increased in space!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

When our @NASAArtemis missions land on the Moon, we need to be ready to take manual control for a successful landing.  For the Manual Piloting study, I flew this landing simulator before and immediately after spaceflight to assess if any changes associated with cognitive function or gravity affected my performance.  Thankfully, I was able to land successfully even just two hours after we splashed down!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

First week back on Earth, a brief recap. Busy times with science, medical tests, physical training and of course a very joyous family reunion. Missing weightlessness, but loving Earth!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Another peek at our return to Earth last week, just after our capsule splashed down and we exited the helicopter. I was able to walk and even navigate some obstacles. Things got a bit trickier when the scientists challenged me to close my eyes and try a heel/toe walk (like a “walk the line” sobriety test) as you saw in the previous post (but that can be tricky for anyone, try it!). We still remember how to walk when we return to Earth, but our balance and stability can be challenged as our neurovestibular system readjusts to gravity. Although everyone’s recovery is different, it comes back quickly. From floating to walking in a few hours is a crazy transition, but it got even easier when I got back to Houston and was supported by my daughter’s hand!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Yesterday’s science. Started the morning with a blood draw to analyze what has changed in my body from our time on the @Space_Station (17 tubes! 16 shown here), while wearing a temperature monitor (the stylish headband) for 36 hours, followed by a study to understand what happens to neck muscles and their control while in space. Gravity is still feeling overrated, but I’m happy to contribute to this important science!

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride (except for maybe gravity!). Here’s a peek into our first @Space_Station post-flight data collection session, immediately after landing in the helicopter after our @SpaceX Dragon splashdown last Thursday. The heel toe walk with eyes open was doable, but definitely off my balance game once they had me repeat with eyes closed (shown here). Exponentially better performance even just the next day, such an interesting recovery process! Stay tuned for the week’s recap of science and rehabilitation.

[Jessica Meir @Astro_Jessica]

Earth.

[NASA @NASA]

LIVE: The members of Crew-12 are inside their spacecraft and ready to head back to Earth. Watch as they undock from the @Space_Station around 8:05am ET (1205 UTC) and begin their trip home. https://t.co/jpGZbjsmtn

[NASA @NASA]

LIVE: After nearly eight months aboard the @Space_Station, it’s time for Crew-12 to come home. Tune in as the spacecraft hatch closes around 6:20am ET (1020 UTC). https://t.co/mITShzlpJV