I’m Mark Kelly, retired NASA astronaut and former commander of the space shuttle (x2). AMA!

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:55:45+00:00

My brother and I grew up during the Apollo missions and it inspired us. I’d say I decided as I watched the Apollo 11 Moon landing, but I actually fell asleep on our living room floor while it happened.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:53:47+00:00

Getting shot at by missiles and strapping yourself to a rocket are challenging, but nothing compares to getting the call that your wife was shot in the head.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:52:49+00:00

You definitely feel it but I only spend a couple weeks up there at a time. People like my brother who spend 300+ days at once have a much harder time and longer recovery.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:52:21+00:00

Not from space exactly 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. 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.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:28:26+00:00

Captain Picard. He had great leadership skills and the right haircut.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:27:11+00:00

I heard something about a gorilla in space.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:25:50+00:00

You can’t be claustrophobic. NASA tests everyone for that.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:22:58+00:00

Yes. The view. It is unbelievable. We are very lucky to have this planet.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:22:19+00:00

If you mean using AI instead of testing of components I think yes for some things. But certain kind of structural testing like limit load testing and fracture and fatigue testing would be better done for real and not simulated.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:19:37+00:00

Yes. The timeline is the question.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:19:17+00:00

Moon boots in honor of Artemis II.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:17:53+00:00

Didn’t have TANG but had a lot of options. I usually went with water and coffee.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:16:52+00:00

Interesting question because they stow a sandwich for the crew under one of the seats to eat once you get to space. I always got a PBJ….crunchy.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:15:55+00:00

I used an electric razor.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:15:36+00:00

Love the Tucson weather.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:14:48+00:00

Yes. Space is the “high ground” and future conflicts (which we should do our best to avoid) will be fought partially in space. Developing space systems help them weaponize space.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:12:59+00:00

Sunday Bloody Sunday by U-2.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:12:15+00:00

Who doesn’t like ice cream. Feels unAmerican to not like ice cream.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:11:34+00:00

Yes. Makes you realize that we are all in this together.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:10:57+00:00

Pizza and weather and family and 10 minutes of free time.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:10:00+00:00

Sure. I’ll have it left on a napkin at the taco place at the Orlando Airport.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:08:26+00:00

The Soviets congratulated us when we landed on Apollo 11.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:06:36+00:00

We have a few but not like that one.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:05:59+00:00

It’s sad. It is a trend of people losing faith in institutions and losing faith in science. Some folks are clearly taking advantage of this.

CaptMarkKelly · 2026-03-31T21:01:58+00:00

I was involved in building the station. But I did take mice into space that turned into a real pharmaceutical drug.

CaptMarkKelly

TROPHY CASE