StarTalk with Neil deGrasse Tyson Season 4 Episode 19 Astronaut Scott Kelly

Neil deGrasse Tyson sits down with retired NASA astronaut Scott Kelly to discuss his experiences in space. Kelly spent a total of 520 days in space, including a year-long mission aboard the International Space Station (ISS). Throughout the episode, Tyson and Kelly discuss the physical and mental challenges that astronauts face while living in space and how Kelly’s personal experiences relate to greater scientific research.

Tyson starts the interview by asking Kelly about the life-long dream of becoming an astronaut and what it felt like to finally achieve that goal. Kelly explains how he was inspired by the Apollo missions and dreamed of being an astronaut from a young age. He talks about how he initially applied to be an astronaut three times before finally being accepted into the program.

The conversation then turns to Kelly’s experience living on the ISS for a year. Tyson asks about the physical and mental challenges that come with spending that much time in space. Kelly talks about the physical exercise he did every day to prevent muscle and bone loss, as well as the impact that living in microgravity had on his body. He also talks about the psychological toll that living in isolation for so long can have on an astronaut.

Tyson and Kelly also discuss some of the scientific research that was conducted during Kelly’s year-long mission. Kelly talks about his participation in the Twin Study, which involved comparing his physical and psychological health to that of his identical twin brother, who remained on Earth. They discuss how this type of research can help us better understand the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body and potentially help us prepare for future missions to Mars and beyond.

Throughout the episode, Tyson and Kelly also touch on the importance of international cooperation in space exploration. Kelly talks about the many different countries represented on the ISS and how they all work together to achieve their goals. They also discuss the potential implications of space exploration for the future of humanity, both in terms of scientific discovery and as a backup plan in case something catastrophic were to happen to Earth.

Overall, the StarTalk with Neil DeGrasse Tyson season 4 episode 19 featuring astronaut Scott Kelly is an insightful and fascinating look at the experiences of an astronaut living in space. Tyson and Kelly provide a unique perspective on the challenges and rewards of space exploration, as well as the importance of international cooperation and scientific research. Whether you’re a space enthusiast or not, this episode is definitely worth a watch.