Featured Image Credit: NASA / Handout / Getty
Mark Kelly has lived a life that most people could only dream of.
A Navy combat veteran, retired NASA astronaut and former US Senator for Arizona, Kelly spent 15 years at the space agency and completed four missions to the International Space Station, twice serving as commander of the Space Shuttle.
His final flight was aboard Space Shuttle Endeavour, the second-to-last mission of the entire shuttle programme before it was retired.
He is also the twin brother of fellow astronaut Scott Kelly, who returned to Earth in 2016 after spending 340 consecutive days aboard the ISS. At the time, Scott held the record for the longest spaceflight ever completed by an American.
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During this time, the pair were studied by NASA researchers to see how space affected their health, as Scott was in space and Mark was on Earth.
With Artemis II launching today (1 April) and the world's attention fixated on humanity's return to the Moon, it felt like the perfect moment for Mark to open up about his own experiences.
Yesterday (31 March), the 62-year-old hosted a Reddit Ask Me Anything session, answering questions from fans about his career, his time in space and the realities of life as an astronaut.
He covered everything from whether he likes ice cream (he does) to his favourite space film.
"Without a doubt the Martian," he wrote, before adding: "But haven't seen project Hail Mary."
Then the session moved on to some more raw questions. One of which was whether Mark had any 'permanent physical changes' from his time in space.
"Not from space exactly," Mark said. "But EVA training on the ground is very hard on the body, so my brother Scott has had to get shoulder surgery. The EVA training is underwater and often upside down."
EVA stands for extravehicular activity. The training takes place underwater, where astronauts can practice spacewalks in conditions designed to simulate the weightlessness of space.
He added: "And while the suit is neutrally buoyant in the water, you are not neutrally buoyant in the suit. So basically when you’re training upside down, all of your weight is resting on your shoulders."
Later, Mark was asked whether he wished he were on board Artemis II.
"Yes. I would go tomorrow," Mark wrote. "I even told the CDR of the mission if he changes his mind…Not quite ready though. The Orion systems are not my thing. Bring back the Space Shuttle." He also noted that he would be at Cape Canaveral to watch the launch and is 'excited to see a new era of Moon missions kick off.'
And if you think that wasn't badass enough, Mark also mentioned the top three 'closest calls' he's had in his legendary career. "Had a missile blow up next [to] me. Almost got shot down by AAA. Nearly flew into the ground at a target in Korea," he replied.
Just another day in the life of Mark Kelly I suppose...
