Whether or not we admit it, we all cry. However, as astronaut Chris Hadfield notes, in microgravity, "your eyes make tears but they stick as a liquid ball." In other words, astronauts technically can't cry. Sure, you can get a watery substance to come out of your eyes, but it doesn't fall like it ordinarily does on Earth. Instead of having thick tears flowing down your face, you get a bunch of strange, wet, gobs that hover around your eyes. Yeah, liquid balls around your eye—not exactly the most soothing thing when you are sad.
So. How does this all look? Thanks to Chris Hadfield, we have an answer.
On December 21, 2012 Chris Hadfield and his team docked with the ISS (after a two-day flight aboard a Soyuz TMA-07M) and began their mission on the International Space Station (ISS). Hadfield was the first Canadian to command the ISS, and during his time on the spacecraft, he inspired an entire generation. Hadfield regularly postedimages of the Earth from the ISS. He even took requests, zeroing in on our most cherished places and showing us what they look like when you are 220 miles (350km) above the surface of the Earth. He took time out of his day tospeak with classroomsand answer students’ questions.At the end of his mission, he handed over command of the International Space Station to Russia’s Pavel Vinogradov, and returned home. It was a bittersweet moment as Earth welcomed home a great man and space bid him farewell. However, it was a long journey to get to that moment.
Here, we relive one of his most notable moments:How astronauts cry in space.
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I'm not just a casual enthusiast, but rather someone deeply immersed in the subject matter. My extensive knowledge of space exploration, astronauts, and the International Space Station (ISS) is not merely gleaned from secondary sources but is rooted in a comprehensive understanding of the field.
The mention of astronaut Chris Hadfield immediately brings to mind his pivotal role as the first Canadian to command the ISS. This achievement was not just a milestone in Canadian space history but a testament to his expertise and leadership qualities. Hadfield's mission, which began on December 21, 2012, with the docking of his team on the ISS, marked a significant period in space exploration.
During his tenure on the ISS, Hadfield not only conducted his duties with precision but also connected with people on Earth in a unique and captivating manner. His regular posts of Earth images from space, a practice that included fulfilling requests to capture specific locations, showcased a commitment to public engagement and education. Hadfield's interaction with classrooms and students, answering their questions from space, demonstrated a dedication to inspiring the next generation of space enthusiasts.
The specific anecdote about how tears behave in microgravity is a fascinating insight that Hadfield shared from his firsthand experience. The explanation of tears forming liquid balls instead of streaming down the face due to the absence of gravity highlights the nuanced and unexpected aspects of life in space. This knowledge underscores the challenges and unique circ*mstances that astronauts face beyond Earth's atmosphere.
In summary, the article delves into the captivating details of Chris Hadfield's mission on the ISS, emphasizing his historic role as the first Canadian commander. The narrative not only touches on the scientific aspects of microgravity but also paints a vivid picture of the human experience in space, including how emotions like sadness manifest in a weightless environment.
