Michael L-A

As we build the new space station we're being mindful to build in adaptability so we can continue innovating while we utilize and maintain the Axiom Station.

The design of the Axiom Station allows modules to be added fairly easily and indefinitely. Many countries have already expressed interest in having their own dedicated module.We want to position the station to act as a truly global platform, open to governments, agencies, and private entities beyond traditional ISS partners.

Certifying a new piece of equipment for space is extremely difficult. The process can take years and cost millions of dollars because there is no room for error. The gear undergoes rigorous testing, analysis, multi-phase reviews and verification. While this is a necessary step, the result is that once something is certified for spaceflight, it stays certified as long as it continues to work safely—often meaning older and slower equipment than what we utilize here on the ground. Non-critical gear like laptops or iPads are refreshed more often, but anything mission-critical tends to rely on the same hardware that's been battle-tested for decades.

Spacewalks are one of the most incredible yet most unpredictable parts of life in orbit. Astronauts train for every procedure, movement, and contingency imaginable, but working outside the Space Station often defies perfect planning. Hardware exposed to years of the extreme space environment can act unpredictably. Even something as small as a bolt that won't thread or a connector that jams can complicate a straightforward task. In these delicate moments you can't force a fix and risk damaging critical components. As difficult as it is, sometimes you must step back and regroup acknowledging the thin line between persistence and peril.

This was my view 4 years ago today. Seeing our planet from space is a captivating experience that never gets old!

#OTD in 2007 I came back to Earth after spending 215 days on the International Space Station as part of Expedition 14.

The dramatic evolution in electronics miniaturization will allow us to locate many of the large avionic assemblies currently on the Space Station's external truss within the Axiom Station's pressure shell.  This shift will allow for much simpler maintenance. Advancements in software processing speed also give us the flexibility for a much smaller ground team to manage the Axiom Station's systems.

In the microgravity environment metals and alloys can be dissolved into a liquid state then allowed to re-solidify without the interference of gravity. The lack of related phenomena like buoyancy and sedimentation allow for a more uniform distribution of elements with reduced defects resulting in a metal that is twice as strong as it was in its original form.

The splashdown on the @SpaceX Dragon was much milder than I expected and I was impressed with how efficient the recovery was - 37 minutes after we hit the water our spacecraft was on the recovery ship with the hatch open.

Today, we celebrate the anniversary of the historic Axiom Mission 1. #Ax1 was the first private astronaut mission to the International Space Station. The Ax-1 crew included Commander Michael López-Alegría, Pilot Larry Connor, and Mission Specialists Eytan Stibbe and Mark Pathy. We will build on this flight heritage with #Ax5.

I've gained more interest in photography over my years of spaceflight. What started as a way to document specific targets evolved into something deeper. The camera became an extension of the moment, a way to try and capture even just a fraction of the experience to bring back down to Earth.

I am a steely-eyed Naval Aviator to the core but something incredible happens when you view your planet from space. It elicits a deep emotional response and an overwhelming sense of unity. If everyone could experience this shift firsthand I believe we would treat each other and this planet very differently.

Axiom Space Project Astronaut modernizes the way we train astronauts here on Earth to live and work beyond our planet. As @Emilventura_ says, “You can watch the space age unfold, or you can help shape it.” Matching the wisdom of astronauts with expertise in human training we find a better way to adapt to the microgravity environment. Using the lens of a physiologist, we can improve safety and performance for future space missions. Emiliano has already shown what's possible with the program. “It’s a dynamic and immersive experience.” #AxPA #ForEarth

A reminder that we are all on the same planet riding through the universe together.

Living in space is amazing but it does come with challenges. Anytime I felt I needed to recage my gyro I would just float to a window and take in the view!

At NASA you work hard to train and understand everything, but the whole time you're surrounded by people in that same world and it becomes just part of your day to day life. The opportunity to go back to space with Axiom was a second chance that was a mulligan of a lifetime.

Alexei Leonov famously took man's first spacewalk today in 1965.

There is a hands-on training session about a month before launch called 'Sounds of Dragon.' It takes place inside of a crew's actual Dragon launch vehicle and demonstrates some of the sounds you haven't been exposed to in the simulator like valves moving, different alarms and even audio recordings from previous flights. You generally don't want surprises during spaceflight, so it's helpful to familiarize the crew with the sounds they can expect to hear.

It's been 14 years since I retired from NASA. This is just one of the many out-of-this-world experiences I will always be grateful for!

As humans it's important to have a routine. I found that living in space made it feel more like a home when I applied what I could from my daily routine. Whether it's having coffee before breakfast, or reading a novel before bed, implementing what is normal for you on the ground helps you adapt to life in space.

@iinangelo Right? 💪

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