- AstronautScott Kelly spent a year aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to study the effects of space travel on the human body.
- His identical twin brother and former NASA astronaut, Mark Kelly, remained on Earth.
- NASA's Twins Study confirmed preliminary findings that 7% of astronaut Scott Kelly's DNA no longer matches his identical twin brother's after landing two years ago.
- During a Reddit AMA while he was still aboard the International Space Station, Kelly shared some of the more nuanced details about what it's like to live in space for a year.
What's it like to not walk on solid ground for a year?
That's one of the questions NASA astronaut Scott Kelly and companion Russian cosmonaut Mikhail Kornienko set out to answer during their year-long mission on board the International Space Station (ISS).
In 2016, the men succeeded in their mission to discover how a long-term, low-gravity environment affects the human body, becoming the first humans to ever spend a year in zero gravity. Their mission was twice as long as typical US missions, and their journey of more than 143 million miles is considered critical in preparing astronauts for future expeditions to Mars. Kelly's identical twin brother and former NASA astronaut, Mark Kelly, remained as a control subject on Earth.
When Kelly initially returned from space two years ago, he was 1.5 inches taller, slower and less accurate, and his genetic code had changed significantly. While most of that returned to normal, preliminary findings from NASA now show that that 7% of his DNA has not returned to normal after landing and no longer matches his identical twin brother's.
During a Reddit AMA while he was still aboard the International Space Station, Kelly shared his observations about life in space. Here are some of the most interesting things the astronaut revealed:
Space isn't as scary as you might think
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"I don't feel alone or afraid. I was up here for six weeks as the only American on the US side of the space station and I was fine. I have been afraid when the ground has called and privatized the audio generally meaning something bad has happened. So I have been a little afraid."
This is a response to the question, Do you ever feel alone/afraid? If so, how do you combat those feelings?
The Bahamas are just as beautiful from space
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"My favorite spot on Earth to see from space is probably the Bahamas. The brilliant and varied colors of the blue water and contrast from here is pretty spectacular."
This is a response to the question, What is your favorite part of Earth to see from space?
Kelly's first meal upon returning to earth wouldn't be fast food
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"The first thing I will eat will probably be a piece of fruit (or a cucumber) the Russian nurse hands me as soon as I am pulled out of the space capsule and begin initial health checks."
This is a response to the question, What will be the first thing you eat once you're back on Earth?
See the rest of the story at Business Insider