NASA
Astronaut Scott Kelly has relinquished command of the International Space Station (ISS) and returned to Earth safely on Wednesday.
Take a look back at some of the most memorable moments from the former commander’s time in space:
• ISS crew back on Earth after record spaceflight
• Astronauts return with secret to surviving Mars
• US astronaut shares photos of ‘Snowzilla’
• US astronaut Scott Kelly returns to Earth
In January, Scott Kelly took part in one of online forum Reddit’s famous AMAs (Ask Me Anything).
Sleeping is harder here in space than on a bed because the sleep position here is the same position throughout the day. You don’t ever get that sense of gratifying relaxation here that you do on Earth after a long day at work. Yes, there are humming noises on station that affect my sleep, so I wear ear plugs.
He also said that he tucked his arms inside his sleeping bag so they do not float around.
And then there is what happens when you do finally get to sleep:
My dreams are sometimes space dreams and sometimes Earth dreams. And they are crazy.
#Movie night in micro #Gravity aboard #ISS on our new HD projector which we use for conferences, tech software, etc.. pic.twitter.com/Mhb03U3alz
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) April 25, 2015
In case you don’t remember, Gravity is the one where the space shuttle is destroyed by debris, George Clooney sacrifices himself, and Sandra Bullock barely makes it back to Earth. After watching that, a movie about a man who is left for dead on Mars but survives through hard work and science might have been more uplifting.
Watched @MartianMovie on @Space_Station last night! Today working towards our #JourneyToMars during my #YearInSpace! pic.twitter.com/rIEBjFxRIr — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 20, 2015
First ever flower grown in space makes its debut! #SpaceFlower #zinnia #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/2uGYvwtLKr
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) January 16, 2016
Scott Kelly’s time as commander saw two milestones in space botany: these flowers, and the first plants eaten in space (red romaine lettuce). Zinnias were selected because they are difficult to grow, and therefore are an excellent study for engineers hoping to one day grow tomatoes en route to Mars.
It was one small bite for man, one giant leap for #NASAVEGGIE and our #JourneytoMars. #YearInSpacehttps://t.co/B7Gkfm1Vz0 — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) August 10, 2015
Needed a little humor to lighten up a #YearInSpace. Go big, or go home. I think I’ll do both. #SpaceApehttps://t.co/Ift8VdDR4C
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) February 23, 2016
His twin brother, retired astronaut Mark Kelly, managed to convince NASA to send the suit into orbit as part of a care package, so of course the only thing to do was dress up and chase British astronaut Tim Peake.
Day 212 Getting my game face on for #spacewalk Thanks for sticking w me #GoodNight from @space_station! #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/F1vKUZdTPV — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 26, 2015
During his Reddit AMA, he said that space suits feel the same in an atmosphere as they do in space because they are pressurised, and that spacewalks require so much concentration he doesn’t think of how high he is while he’s falling around the Earth.
Hurricane #Patricia looks menacing from @space_station. Stay safe below, #Mexico. #YearInSpace pic.twitter.com/6LP2xCYcGD
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) October 23, 2015
Hurricane Patricia hammered Mexico and south-eastern Texas, and no wonder: It was the strongest hurricane ever recorded in the Western Hemisphere, and on par with Typhoon Haiyan, which killed thousands in the Philippines in 2013.
How about a round of #SpaceGeo? I’ll post a new geography #trivia photo today. How to play: http://t.co/JcYmMQZklF pic.twitter.com/wvAEEP2uBV — Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) September 24, 2015
We asked you to help us identify some of Commander Kelly’s photos of Australia.
It also allows an astronaut armed with a pair of hydrophobic (water-repelling) paddles to bounce a ball of water back and forth without getting wet.
Scott Kelly sent his congratulations from orbit, with the help of a New Horizons model and a truly unique bumper sticker.
Moved our #Soyuz last summer & imagined chasing a #StarWars TIE fighter as we redocked @space_station. #YearInSpacehttps://t.co/DvVuN2CcKI
— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) December 18, 2015
We’ve all dreamed of that, haven’t we?