NASA's Oldest Astronaut Feels Rejuvenated After 7-Month ISS Mission, Eyes Future Flights

April 28, 2025
NASA's Oldest Astronaut Feels Rejuvenated After 7-Month ISS Mission, Eyes Future Flights
  • Humorously, Pettit recounted fixing a $12 razor on the ISS, highlighting that his motivation was not economic but stemmed from his enjoyment of tinkering.

  • Pettit credited his trainers and flight doctors for their support in his recovery and readjustment to Earth's gravity upon his return.

  • In a recent press conference, Pettit clarified that the respectful camera coverage during his time of illness was not indicative of a medical emergency but rather a measure of privacy.

  • Pettit expressed a passion for hands-on work, noting that astronauts often spend time repairing equipment, which he enjoys due to his mechanical, electrical, and fluid skills.

  • Don Pettit, NASA's oldest full-time astronaut, recently completed a seven-month mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS), during which he experienced a rejuvenating sensation, feeling decades younger due to the effects of weightlessness.

  • Having been an astronaut since 1996 and flown to space four times, Pettit expressed interest in potentially flying again before he retires from space travel.

  • He emphasized the importance of sharing his unique perspective through photography, which allows him to convey phenomena such as meteors and volcanic eruptions in a deeper way.

  • During his time in space, Pettit conducted various physics experiments, including creating bubbles and forming a perfect ball of honey on a spoon with peanut butter.

  • Upon returning to Earth, Pettit expressed joy at being back home, acknowledging that while he loves space exploration, there comes a time to return.

  • However, he faced challenges readjusting to gravity after 220 days in space, describing his return as difficult and noting that he felt ill during the landing.

  • Throughout his mission, Pettit took over 670,000 photographs, driven by his desire to capture and share the beauty of the universe with those on Earth.

  • He described his photography as a means to transform experiences that most people cannot witness firsthand into visual narratives.

Summary based on 11 sources


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