Astronaut Scott Kelly @stationcdrkelly - Tumblr Blog

“A thousand miles begins with a single step”

On April 1, I will retire from NASA. While I am leaving NASA, the journey is not over.

I recently returned to our planet after traveling some 143,846,525 miles around our globe on a yearlong space mission that aims to push our limits as explorers. Our universe is a big place, and we have many millions of miles yet to explore. My departure from NASA is my next step on that journey.

I remain ever committed and dedicated to the service of human exploration and advancement whether in space or on Earth.

Following my retirement, I will continue to participate in the ongoing research related to NASA’s one-year mission for as long as is necessary. I will provide periodic medical samples and support other testing in much the same way that my twin brother, former astronaut Mark Kelly, has made himself available for the Twins Study throughout this past mission.

This year in space mission was a profound challenge for all involved that also gave me a unique perspective and a lot of time to reflect on what my next step should be on our continued journey to help further our capabilities in space and on Earth. I am very proud of what my NASA colleagues and our partners around the world have accomplished together.

I am grateful for the remarkable twenty years spent as an astronaut with this agency and deeply honored to have served four times in the most unique humbling place off the planet: in space.

My career with the Navy and NASA gave me an incredible chance to showcase public service to which I am dedicated and what we can accomplish on the big challenges of our day.

I am humbled and excited by new opportunities for me to support and share the amazing work NASA is doing to help us travel farther into the solar system and work with the next generation of science and technology leaders. I look forward to continuing my 30 years of public service in a new role.

To continue toward any journey, we must always challenge ourselves to take the next step.

-Scott J. Kelly, Capt. US Navy (Ret.)

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Hump-Day Humor Break

Needed a little humor to lighten a Year In Space. Go big, or go home. I think I’ll do both!

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Colors of Earth

When we think of our globe from a distance, we generally visualize two colors: blue and green. Water and land. Mostly water, consequently, our planet's nickname of the blue marble.

Traveling around the globe every 90 minutes covering millions of miles with a focused lens on our beautiful planet from 250 miles above, I've captured many beautiful colors beyond blue and green that showcase Earth in new and interesting ways. Some colors are indicative of nature like desert sands and weather like snow. Other colors tell stories of Earth's climate in bright splashes of yellows and greens of pollen and muted grey tones and clouded filters of pollution.

Blue and green still remain vivid and beautiful colors on Earth from the vantage point of the International Space Station, but here are some other colors that have caught my eye from my orbital perspective.

African violet

Bahamas blues

Tropical in Africa

Yellow desert

Orange in Egypt

Red surprise

Snow white

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Happy Presidents’ Day from the International Space Station!

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Thank you, Tumblr!

That’s it, Tumblr! Losing comm soon. I’m in space, so that happens. Thank you for all your good questions. I enjoyed #AnswerTime with you today!

Keep following my Year In Space here on Tumblr and on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram!

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How do you think you'll adjust when you eventually have to go back to Earth?

I suspect and hope like last time, but you never know. I guess we’ll see soon!

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Does one wear shoes in space?

I wear running shoes when I am exercising. Otherwise, socks.

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How often do you get to communicate with family/ friends back on earth?

In my free time, pretty often. With satellite coverage, I’d say about 75% of the time. Like right now.

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Did you ever get sick in space?

No, but I did soon after landing on my last flight.

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Does the weightlessness ever get annoying? :)

Yes. You get very good at dealing with it. But it still makes most things more difficult to do, but it is fun.

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What's the first thing you'll do when you come home?

I’ll give Amiko, Samantha and Charlotte a big hug.

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What's a typical day like for you? Wishing you a safe return!:)

I wake up at about 6:45 am. I work most of the day on different experiments, maintenance and operations of the space station. I exercise, and I end my workday at about 7:30 or 8 p.m. I go to sleep about a couple hours later.

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How would you best describe the view of Earth from space?

Incredibly beautiful and at the same time very fragile, particularly our atmosphere.

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Is burping different in space?

That’s a good question. I don’t think I’ve ever burped up here.

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What do you miss the most about Earth while traveling in space?

First, the people that are important to me. Second, being outside.

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How do you brush your teeth in space?

I use a little bit of toothpaste and swallow it. Which may not be the best thing to do. Kids, don’t eat your toothpaste. It’s not good for you.