All About Space

How did your spacefligh­t experience­s change you? What were the best or most memorable parts?

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There are so many unforgetta­ble aspects of life in space, including the experiment­s, the robotics and the spacewalks, but I think my most memorable moment took place when Peggy [Whitson, commander of the space station’s Expedition 16] and her crew invited us to have dinner over in the service module. “You guys bring the vegetables, we’ll bring the meat,” they said, and we all congregate­d around the small table, with some floating above and others below. There we were, French, German, Russian, Asian American, African American, all having a meal in space.

Out the window we could see Afghanista­n, Iraq and other troubled spots. Some 240 miles [386 kilometres] above those strife-torn places, we sat in peace with people we once counted among our nation’s enemies, bound by a common commitment to explore space for the benefit of all humanity. It was one of the most inspiring moments of my life. That day I gained a newfound perspectiv­e on how it’s possible for different people to live and work together – definitely needed to bring that hope and optimism back home to Earth.

“WE SAT IN PEACE WITH PEOPLE WE ONCE COUNTED AMONG OUR ENEMIES”

LELAND MELVIN

 ??  ?? Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and engineer
Leland Melvin, former NASA astronaut and engineer
 ??  ?? Right: Melvin on board
Space Shuttle Atlantis, during November 2009’s STS-129 mission
Right: Melvin on board Space Shuttle Atlantis, during November 2009’s STS-129 mission

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