A NASA astronaut currently in orbit on the International Space Station will speak with Space.com today (Jan. 31), and you can watch the conversation live online. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio is scheduled to speak with Space.com Staff Writer Miriam Kramer about his life in space, the Olympics and the Super Bowl on orbit. <\/p>\n
Mastracchio will chat with Space.com for 10 minutes beginning at 10:45 a.m. EST (1545 GMT), and you can watch the astronaut interview live online via NASA TV. We will ask Mastracchio about all things having to do with his life in the space laboratory, but we can also take your questions. Just leave your questions in the comments below this story or send them to Space.com on Twitter using @SPACEdotcom or @mirikramer. <\/p>\n
This long-duration flight to the space station is the fourth spaceflight for Mastracchio, 53, who had previously flown on three shorter space shuttle flights. He was selected for astronauts training in 1996 after joining NASA in 1987. Before becoming a part of the station's Expedition 38 crew, Mastracchio clocks close to 40 days in space and had ventured out on six spacewalks. [See Amazing Photos from Rick Mastracchio on the International Space Station] <\/p>\n
Quiz: The Reality of Life in Orbit <\/p>\n
As an any astronaut will tell you, life in space is a lot like life on Earthwith some very important differences. On Earth, for example, if you leave your fork floating in air while you grab for your spoon, it will quickly hit the floor. Other difference <\/p>\n
0 of 9 questions complete <\/p>\n
Quiz: The Reality of Life in Orbit <\/p>\n
As an any astronaut will tell you, life in space is a lot like life on Earthwith some very important differences. On Earth, for example, if you leave your fork floating in air while you grab for your spoon, it will quickly hit the floor. Other difference <\/p>\n
Since launching to the International Space Station in November 2013, Mastracchio went on two spacewalks with fellow NASA astronaut Mike Hopkins to fix the orbiting outpost's vital cooling system during the Christmas season. Mastracchio now has 51 hours and 28 minutes of spacewalking time to his credit. <\/p>\n
In May, Mastracchio is scheduled to fly back to Earth with fellow space station crewmembers cosmonaut Mikhail Tyurin and Koichi Wakata of Japan. Hopkins and cosmonauts Oleg Kotov and Sergey Ryazanskiy round out the Expedition 38 crew. <\/p>\n
<\/p>\n
Link: A NASA astronaut currently in orbit on the International Space Station will speak with Space.com today (Jan. 31), and you can watch the conversation live online. Astronaut Rick Mastracchio is scheduled to speak with Space.com Staff Writer Miriam Kramer about his life in space, the Olympics and the Super Bowl on orbit Continue reading
\nSpace.com Speaks with Space Station Astronaut Today: Watch It Live Online<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"