Englishहिन्दीमराठीਪੰਜਾਬੀবাংলাગુજરાતીநாடுదేశం
Web StoriesIdeas of IndiaIndia At 2047
Explorer
Live NowPremiumVideoReelsWeb StoriesPhoto GalleryPodcastMovie ReviewOpinion
Useful
IFSC Code Finder Pin Code Finder Home Loan EMI Calculator Personal Loan EMI Calculator Car Loan EMI Calculator Education Loan EMI Calculator Age calculator BMI Calculator Petrol Prices Diesel Prices Gold Prices Silver Prices AQI
HomeScienceHair Wash, Saturday Dinners To 50th Birthday: NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur’s Best Tweets From Space

Hair Wash, Saturday Dinners To 50th Birthday: NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur’s Best Tweets From Space

Megan McArthur, who has just returned to Earth after 200 days in space, frequently updated the people on Earth on a wide variety of interesting science research and other activities performed on ISS

By : Radifah Kabir | Updated at : 10 Nov 2021 11:51 AM (IST)

New Delhi: NASA SpaceX Crew-2 astronauts, including NASA astronaut Megan McArthur, returned to Earth Tuesday after a six-month stay aboard the International Space Station. 

Megan McArthur has been a very prolific tweeter from space. From showing how to wash hair in space, to growing the first chilli peppers and using them to make space tacos, McArthur has frequently updated the people on Earth about a wide variety of interesting science activities carried out by her and her fellow astronauts at the space station. 

She has also performed difficult tasks such as upgrading the Cold Atom Lab aboard the ISS to Mixed Reality, using a Microsoft HoloLens. 

McArthur, and her fellow Crew-2 astronauts Shane Kimbrough of NASA, Thomas Pesquet of ESA, and Akihiko Hoshide of JAXA, were part of Expeditions 65 and 66 during their stay in space that lasted 200 days, from April 24 to November 8. 

Following is a list of some of her best tweets from space.

Megan McArthur's First Tweet From Space

On May 1 this year, McArthur tweeted that their first week in space had been "incredible". McArthur, along with fellow Crew-2 astronauts, was launched into space on April 23, and docked into the ISS the following day.

First Picture Of Earth From Space After Crew-2 Launch

On May 7, McArthur posted a picture of Los Angeles from the space station's Cupola dome. She even managed to capture the "heart-shaped campus" of the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), a day before interacting with Bruin Engineers at UCLA.

First Scientific Experiment On ISS 

McArthur, on May 12, wrote that she, along with NASA astronaut Mark T Vande Hei, was conducting an experiment called Celestial immunity, which studies the effect of gravity on functional immune response, and could uncover new immune pathways useful for the development of new vaccines and drugs for prevention and treatment of diseases. McArthur said she was being guided by an expert from Earth.

McArthur Inside The BEAM

The BEAM (Bigelow Expandable Activity Module) is an experimental expandable space station module built by Bigelow Aerospace, for testing as a temporary module on the ISS. On May 20, McArthur went inside the BEAM to collect some hardware nearly five years after it was inaugurated in 2016. 

She wrote that BEAM was attached to the ISS for an initial two years to demonstrate expandable technology.

A Tale Of Two Gloveboxes

On May 30, McArthur wrote about the experiments performed by her using two science gloveboxes. The astronaut used one glovebox to conduct metal studies, and the other to perform immune function research. 

Monitoring The Cargo Dragon Approach

McArthur and Kimbrough monitored the SpaceX Crew Dragon Resupply Mission in June. McArthur wrote on June 6 that they started their day monitoring the Dragon approach, and were rewarded with fresh food. She thanked Space Food Systems Lab for ripe avocados and peppers.

Growing Cotton In Space 

Targeting Improved Cotton Through Orbital Collection (TICTOC) is a technique that uses cotton plants to study how root system structure affects resistance to droughts and carbon storing. The technique could be used to develop cotton varieties that require less water and pesticide use. On June 12, McArthur posted about growing cotton plants in Space.

Experimenting On Kidney Stones

McArthur and other Crew-2 astronauts also conducted experiments as part of the Kidney Cells-02 investigation. The goal of the investigation is to develop treatment for kidney stones, and prevent the disease on Earth as well as in space. They used a 3-D kidney model for the study.

Pictures Of Tropical Storms And Fires On Earth 

On July 4, McArthur posted pictures of the tropical storm Ida from space.

She also expressed sadness over the 2021 California wildfires, and posted pictures from space. She also posted some pictures of the wildfires on September 2. 

When the space station flew over the US East Coast on August 21, McArthur took a picture of Hurricane Henri and shared it on twitter.

McArthur posted a picture of Hurricane Ida from the space station on August 28.

On September 5 and 7, McArthur shared pictures of Hurricane Larry from the space station.

Real-Time Protein Crystal Growth-2 Experiment

McArthur performed the microscopy part of the Real-Time Protein Crystal Growth-2 experiment. She had carefully prepared the plates, and captured pictures of the resulting protein crystals. She shared pictures on July 6.

Bumble, The Astrobee Rocket

Astrobee, NASA’s new free-flying robotic system, will help astronauts reduce time they spend on routine duties. Bumble, the first Astrobee rocket, is a free-flying system that serves as a research platform and helps astronauts learn how robotics can benefit crew working in space. 

McArthur posted pictures of Bumble on July 9. 

The robot has been developed by NASA Ames Research Center. 

McArthur Uses Microsoft HoloLens

McArthur, on July 15, used the Augmented Reality (AR) headset, Microsoft HoloLens, while replacing a piece of hardware inside Cold Atom Lab. The mixed reality headset enabled the facility to produce ultracold potassium atoms, along with rubidium atoms, which have been used in the Cold Atom Lab ever since its operation started in 2018. 

The Microsoft HoloLens allowed McArthur to see the space around her, as well as digital displays in her field of view. There is a small forward-facing camera on the headset, which allows members of the Cold Atom Lab team in the Earth Orbiting Missions Operations Center at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to watch on large screens everything McArthur was looking at. 

Completing 100 Days In Low-Earth Orbit

On July 19, McArthur officially completed 100 days in low-Earth orbit. She wrote on twitter, "It’s official: Between @Space_Station and @NASAHubble Servicing Mission-4, I have now spent 100 days of my life in Low Earth Orbit! ".

The First 'Space Olympics'

On July 24, astronauts aboard the ISS held the very first Olympics in space. A friendly competition was held between the Soyuz team and the Crew Dragon team, with sports specific to space, Thomas Pesquet wrote on twitter. 

Quoting his tweet, McArthur wrote, "Who knows, maybe synchronized floating will be a real Olympic event one day?"

Fear Of Spiders

On August 5, McArthur joked about her fear for spiders by posting on Twitter that even after spending more than 100 days in space, the sight of a small piece of food floating in space makes body react in a way as though she had seen a spider. But then she tells herself to relax as there are no spiders in space, McArthur wrote.

Aurora And Spacewalks

Thomas Pesquet had posted a picture of an aurora from space on August 8. Quoting his tweet, McArthur wrote that space radiation environment is monitored by the Space Radiation Analysis Group at Johnson Space Center. 

She wrote that Coronal Mass Ejections can lead to beautiful aurora, and that they were as breathtaking as she had expected.

On August 14, Pesquet and McArthur brought precious cargo into the space station using Canadarm2. Pesquet dubbed himself and McArthur, 'Cygnus Catchers'.

McArthur posted on August 18, that a spacesuit fit check for the spacewalking crew members, and a dress rehearsal for the suit-up crew was due that day. 

This was in preparation for Season 2 of Expedition 65's Extra Vehicular Activity.  

Megan McArthur Celebrating Birthday In Space, Complete With A Cake

McArthur, on August 30 this year, celebrated her 50th birthday in space. She wrote on twitter that conducting science experiments using the new cargo sent to the ISS was a fine way to celebrate her birthday in space. 

She also had a great birthday dinner with her Expedition 65 crew mates. 

Appreciated her 'Space Brothers' for their efforts, she said they prepared delicacies such as quesadillas and tortilla-pizzas with real cheese. Cookie decoration was also done by them. The astronauts ate cake with chocolate “candles” too. 

She wrote, "We haven’t unpacked the ice cream yet, so I guess that means a 2nd party?"

NASA's Johnson Space Center also extended their birthday wishes to McArthur on Twitter. 

"I might be 50 But I still feel like one lucky girl", McArthur replied.

Washing Hair In Space

On August 31, McArthur posted a video of herself to demonstrate how astronauts wash their hair in space.

She wrote that the simple things taken for granted on Earth are not as simple in microgravity. In the video shared by her, she mentioned how she carries out the difficult task. 

Read the details here.

Saturday Dinner Parties 

On October 1, McArthur posted a video which showed her enjoying a saturday dinner party with her crewmates. She wrote it was great to have good food with good friends. 

In the video, Commander Akihiko Hoshide is seen congratulating everyone on the successful spacewalks. 

A recent cargo had brought cheese and hummus to the ISS, which the astronauts consumed as special appetisers. Then, they ate chow and potatoes. After dinner, they shared stories to make each other laugh. They ended the party with ice-cream and cake.

Time-Lapse Video Of City Lights And Celestial Lights

On October 9, McArthur posted a time lapse video recorded from the Cupola of ISS, over Africa. One can see thunderstorms, city lights, the Milky Way, satellites, and even a bit of aurora, in the video.

Working On Oxygen Generation System

On October 26, McArthur and Hoshide worked on the Oxygen Generation System aboard the ISS, which extracts oxygen from water. This is part of the space station life support systems, which have enabled astronauts to live continuously in a closed environment for more than 20 years, but require maintenance to ensure continued operation. 

Making Space Tacos From First Chilli Peppers Grown In Space

On October 30, NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station tasted the first chilli peppers grown there. McArthur made space tacos with the first peppers grown in space.

The astronauts had planted chilli peppers on the ISS four months ago, and their efforts finally bore fruit when Mark T. Vande Hei harvested the station's first crop of chilli peppers. This marked the successful completion of Plant Habitat-04 study, one of the most challenging station plant experiments to date.

Read a detailed report here.

A Final Aurora Pic And The Last Tweet Before Returning To Earth

On November 6, McArthur posted the last picture of aurora she saw from space before returning to Earth. She wrote that the last few nights of aurora viewing from the space station felt like a gift.

November 8 marked the 200th day for Crew-2 astronauts on the ISS, and also their last day aboard the orbital laboratory before returning to Earth. 

McArthur tweeted that her penguin toy, Guin-Guin, and all Crew-2 members were ready to return to Earth. She thanked everyone who made the mission possible, and worked hard to make it a success. She also thanked the people of Earth for sharing in the journey with the Crew-2 astronauts, and concluded that their next stop was Earth.

Published at : 10 Nov 2021 11:50 AM (IST)
Tags :
International Space Station Nasa ISS How To Shampoo In Space Birthday Party In Space NASA Astronaut Megan McArthur
View More
Advertisement
Advertisement
Join ABP Whatsapp
Join Telegram channel
25°C
New Delhi
Rain: 100mm
Humidity: 97%
Wind: WNW 47km/h
See Today's Weather
powered by
Accu Weather
Advertisement

Top Headlines

India
Indian Consulate In Canada Cancels Consular Camps Over 'Inadequate Security'
Indian Consulate In Canada Cancels Consular Camps Over 'Inadequate Security'
India
Shah Rukh Khan Threatened By Chhattisgarh Thief? Here's What Mumbai Police Investigation Revealed
Is 'Hindustani', Who Threatened SRK, A Thief? Here's What Probe Has Revealed So Far
Cities
Prayagraj: Two Groups Of Akhada Parishad Clash During Meeting On Mahakumbh, Seers Injured
Prayagraj: Two Groups Of Akhada Parishad Clash During Meeting On Mahakumbh, Seers Injured
India
ED Conducts Raids Across Cities On Sellers Of E-Commerce Platforms Amazon, Flipkart
ED Conducts Raids Across Cities On Sellers Of E-Commerce Platforms Amazon, Flipkart
Advertisement

Trending News

ABP Premium

Videos

US Presidential Election 2024: 'I Will Fight for Your Future' Says Trump After Election VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: 'Thank You to the American People,' Says Donald Trump After VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: Donald Trump’s Address After VictoryUS Presidential Election 2024: 'We Will Make America Great Again,' Says Donald Trump After Victory

Photo Gallery

Trending Opinion

Sayantan Ghosh
Sayantan Ghosh
Opinion: Bengal Bypolls — Why Mamata Banerjee’s Electoral Edge Holds Despite RG Kar Protests  
Opinion
Embed widget