CultureLab: Breaking space records, human bowling and a trip to the Moon with astronaut Christina Koch
Jan 16, 2024
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Christina Koch, NASA astronaut who took part in the first ever all-female spacewalks and holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, discusses her experiences in space and the challenges of readjusting to life on Earth. They also explore the long-term effects of space travel and the importance of diversity in astronaut teams. Additionally, they talk about the fun activity of human bowling in microgravity and the intense experience of spacewalking.
Living in space for an extended period has physical and psychological challenges when returning to Earth.
Diversity in the astronaut core plays a significant role in mission success and inspires people to pursue their dreams.
Deep dives
Life on the International Space Station and Breaking Records
Astronaut Kristina Koch shares her experience of living on the International Space Station (ISS) for almost 11 months, breaking records as a woman in spaceflight. She describes the privilege of being on board the ISS for an extended period, the importance of long-duration flights for future missions to Mars, and the physical and psychological challenges of returning to Earth.
The Excitement of the Artemis Mission
Koch expresses her excitement about being part of the Artemis mission, which aims to send astronauts to the moon and eventually to Mars. She discusses the significance of the mission in pushing the boundaries of human space exploration, her personal fascination with the moon, and the perspective and inspiration she hopes to gain from seeing the Earth from space.
Diversity in Astronaut Core and the Importance of Representation
Koch emphasizes the importance of having a diverse astronaut core and the positive impact it has on mission success, problem-solving, and inspiration. She highlights the significance of inclusivity in space exploration and how it encourages people to pursue their dreams and achieve their best.
NASA astronaut Christina Koch not only took part in the first ever all-female spacewalks, but she also holds the record for the longest single spaceflight by a woman, after spending 328 days on board the International Space Station.
So what does it take to live in space for such a long time, what does it mean to be a record-breaking astronaut – and how do you get used to gravity again when you finally come back home? New Scientist space reporter Leah Crane asks Chrstina all of these questions and more in a special interview for CultureLab.
Plus: the surprising sport of human bowling, what things smell like when you leave planet Earth and how Christina’s sights are now set on the Moon as she prepares for the Artemis 2 mission.
To read about subjects like this and much more, visit newscientist.com.