Astronauts
Individuals trained for space flight
Ghosts of Gemini
Forgotten photos show the human face of NASA's early astronaut program.
March 20, 2012 |
By Tony Reichhardt
Our Fancy Coffee Machine
When it comes to recycling water, space station astronauts are on the frontier.
February 29, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Jelly on Both Sides
In space, you can't beat the odds, but you can make a better sandwich.
February 17, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Whisker Cleaning Time
How do you clean out your electric razor in zero-G? Carefully.
January 25, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
The Smell of Space
There is one, surprisingly—but you can't sense it directly.
January 23, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Perpetual Twilight
The atmosphere on edge glows with a vibrant electric blue. Did van Gogh paint this scene?
January 19, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Lost Chopstick
Velcro helps us keep things from floating away at dinner time. Or so I thought.
January 18, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Grand Views of the Grand Canyon
Sometimes your brain can play little tricks. Under some lighting conditions the Grand Canyon does not look like a canyon at all.
January 13, 2012 |
By Don Pettit
Dreams, Dragons, and Space Debris
The ISS astronauts talk about their mission so far, and what's ahead.
January 04, 2012 |
By Air & Space / Smithsonian magazine
Gone for the Season
On past missions, I've missed two Thanksgivings, Christmas, New Years, birthdays, anniversaries, a science fair, school plays, recitals, and Valentine’s Day.
December 23, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
Please Don’t Squeeze the Astronaut
Exercising proper space etiquette, it is best not to give the newly arrived too strong a hug.
December 22, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
Godspeed to Earth
From my perspective, I will soon be sitting in my rocket watching everyone on Earth move off into the frontier.
December 21, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
The Pieces Come Together
Tomorrow we walk to our rocket and climb the stairway that leads into space.
December 20, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
Baikonur Graffiti
Writing on the wall has been going on since humans lived in caves. Should I trace the outline of my hand? Should I draw a mastodon? Maybe a rocket.
December 20, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
Me and My Spacesuit
I have a symbiotic relationship with my spacesuit. I take care of it, and it takes care of me in return.
December 20, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
Six Months Turns to Ten
There’s more to a Space Station mission than just the time in orbit.
December 19, 2011 |
By Don Pettit
