You might notice that in almost every photograph taken from the Space Station the crew is wearing socks - and there is a reason for that. When you're floating, you're not using the bottoms of your feet, and when you don't use something, the body tends to get rid of it. The thick protective skin on the bottom of your feet starts becoming thinner and softer - eventually flaking right off. The best way to manage the change is just to wear socks. It's a quirky adaptation to life in space where even your feet behave differently!
Organizing storage in space is quite the challenge and I like to call these bags the 'space suitcase.' You will find them all over the space station tied down to just about any surface using velcro, zip ties or bungee cords. They store a variety of different things and you never know what you might find in one - tools, food, personal items, Peggy... 😆
I never thought I would go back to space so soon after retiring from NASA (or if I would ever go again!), but much to my delight, 2 years ago I was preparing to command Ax-2. And now I find myself getting ready to go back to space with the crew of Ax-4. We have completed our training and begun the final launch preparations. We are ready to go!
Astronauts are often asked what it's like when you first get to space. Here are some of my favorite descriptions:
I tried to scratch my nose and punched myself in the face because my hand kept going in zero-G. Lesson learned. - @Astro_Mike
You feel like a superhero learning to fly, but also a toddler—everything’s new, and you’re clumsy as heck. -@AstroAnnimal
It’s like living in a funhouse—everything’s upside down, and you’re figuring out how to move without kicking something. - @Astro_Suni
During astronaut training I got my first ride in a T-38. “They” call it a zoom and boom which means we're going to zoom you around the sky, let you experience a sonic boom and try to make you throw up. I’m guessing it's kind of like a rite of passage to becoming an astronaut, but I was determined not to get sick. The whole ride I thought - nope, not today and I made it through! I went into the locker room with a pep in my step, showered, sat down and thought, okay, I did it. I walked out of the hangar, longingly gazing at the sleek blue-and-white jets so intricately parked inside her, in hopes of heading to my car in the parking lot. It was just before I exited when the slight smell of rubber tires with a hint of jet fuel hit me. Unfortunately, that was also the exact time when my eyes spied the trash can. The second my eyes found that trash can - that was it. My brain took over, and the “zoom and boom” became the “whirl and hurl.”
One of the coolest photos I took from space was of my home state of Nebraska. I took this photo of Memorial Stadium in Lincoln during a @Huskers game against Texas A&M in October 2007. 86,000 people wearing red during a home game and you could literally see it from space (with the help of an 800mm telephoto lens!).
Astronaut @astro_Pettit has taken some really cool photos on the Space Station. You know how air gets trapped in an ice cube, that little white bubble is due to all of the air coming together because of gravity. In the microgravity environment of space the tiny air bubbles don't come together, but instead stay seperate causing the ice to freeze in a different way. The photo used polarized light to show the differences of how water freezes in space. Plus it's just a REALLY cool photo! He is soooo great with a camera.
As we say goodbye to another year, just take a moment to think about how much humanity has achieved both in space and here on the ground. Space exploration is a celebration of possibility, curiosity, and resilience. Each year we are one step closer to uncovering the secrets of the universe and pushing humanity forward. Here is to 2025 and a year of bold missions and new dreams. The sky is not the limit, it is only the beginning 💫
📸 @dominickmatthew
Please help @EpicGames! We cannot seem to connect our account to our new console. We have tried all different types of troubleshooting suggestions. Ahhhh! Please help, kids just want to play 😩
26 years ago space exploration took a giant leap forward by establishing the International Space Station in 1998. The Station is not only a symbol of international cooperation, but a springboard helping us mitigate the challenges of living in space as we prepare for our next destination - the Moon! Happy Anniversary @Space_Station!
The Pumpkin Shaped Galaxy.
When 2 galaxies collide, the frequent result is that they lose their “typical” flat disk shape and morph into more of a football shape (good for this time of year!). But, in this rare case, the collision produced something resembling a pumpkin. The “glowing eyes” are the core of each galaxy, both housing a supermassive black hole! If you look closely, there is a wry smirk made up of a new arm of forming stars. So appropriate for Astro Clay!
Happy Halloween!
Wendy’s at 8209 Creedmoor Rd in Raleigh has no air conditioning. The poor employees are in the southern heat doing their best with no plans for it being promptly fixed 😕. @Wendys please help!