ESA astronaut and Expedition 70 Commander Andreas Mogensen, in the festive spirit, dons a Santa Claus hat for a lighthearted photograph. This image is courtesy of NASA.
The Expedition 70 team, comprising seven astronauts, dedicated their Wednesday to ongoing space biology experiments and the maintenance of the International Space Station (ISS). In addition to their scientific duties, the crew will partake in Thanksgiving celebrations, enjoying a traditional turkey dinner in the orbital lab.
The day began with astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Satoshi Furukawa, and Andreas Mogensen conducting routine medical checks, measuring vital signs such as temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. They also utilized an otoscope for ear examinations, a crucial part of health monitoring in the microgravity environment.
NASA’s Moghbeli, ESA’s Mogensen, and JAXA’s Furukawa, aboard the ISS, shared insights into their Thanksgiving plans and the special menu for the occasion, as captured in a NASA photograph.
Moghbeli of NASA worked on processing liver stem samples for the Space AGE research, focused on regenerative medicine. In the Kibo lab module, JAXA’s Furukawa was busy replacing lithium-ion batteries and setting up experimental equipment. ESA’s Mogensen, meanwhile, participated in the Cardiobreath study, wearing a sensor-laden vest to monitor cardiac and respiratory functions.
NASA’s Loral O’Hara engaged in plumbing tasks within the Tranquility module and SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. She also recorded an educational video demonstrating microscope usage in microgravity for students on Earth.
From the ISS’s Cupola, a panoramic viewpoint, astronauts could view the western coast of Chile. Various components of the station, like the solar arrays and segments from different space agencies, were also visible in this vista, as credited to NASA.
In the station’s Roscosmos section, veteran cosmonaut Oleg Kononenko replaced life support and electronics equipment. He and Nikolai Chub also conducted communication tests with the Progress 84 cargo spacecraft. Chub, alongside Konstantin Borisov, performed abdominal ultrasound scans post-breakfast to study the impact of microgravity on the digestive system. Borisov later attended to the ventilation systems in the Rassvet module.
On Thanksgiving Thursday, the crew, representing three nations, will take a break to relish a lavish feast. The menu includes turkey, duck, quail, seafood, cranberry sauce, and various treats like chocolate, pumpkin spice cappuccino, rice cake, and mochi. The selection of festive foods is tailored to the crew’s preferences.
Table of Contents
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about ISS Thanksgiving
What did the Expedition 70 crew do to celebrate Thanksgiving in space?
The Expedition 70 crew aboard the International Space Station observed Thanksgiving by enjoying a traditional turkey meal. They also continued their routine space biology research and maintenance tasks on the station.
How did the astronauts aboard the ISS monitor their health?
Astronauts Jasmin Moghbeli, Satoshi Furukawa, and Andreas Mogensen performed periodic health evaluations, checking vital signs like temperature, blood pressure, pulse, and respiratory rate. They also used an otoscope to examine their ear canals and eardrums.
What were some of the scientific activities carried out by the ISS crew?
NASA astronaut Jasmin Moghbeli processed liver stem samples for the Space AGE investigation. JAXA astronaut Satoshi Furukawa worked in the Kibo lab module, handling batteries and research gear. ESA astronaut Andreas Mogensen participated in the Cardiobreath study, wearing a sensor-equipped vest.
What did NASA astronaut Loral O’Hara do aboard the ISS?
Loral O’Hara performed orbital plumbing tasks in the station’s Tranquility module and the SpaceX Dragon Endurance spacecraft. She also created an educational video for Earth students, demonstrating how to use a microscope in microgravity.
What unique view did the ISS crew have from the Cupola?
From the ISS’s Cupola, the crew could see the western coast of Chile and various parts of the space station, including solar arrays and segments from different space agencies.
More about ISS Thanksgiving
- International Space Station
- Expedition 70 Overview
- NASA Space Biology Research
- Thanksgiving in Space
- Health Monitoring on the ISS
- Space AGE Investigation
- Kibo Laboratory Module
- Cardiobreath Blood Pressure Study
- Orbital Plumbing in Space
- Microgravity and Education
- Viewing Earth from the ISS Cupola
- Roscosmos and ISS Operations
- Thanksgiving Menu in Space
6 comments
wow, so cool to see how astronauts celebrate Thanksgiving up there, kinda makes you think how different life is in space.
the view from the cupola must be breathtaking, wish we could see those photos of Chile’s coast and the solar arrays, space is so fascinating.
Thanksgiving with turkey and all in space, that’s wild. Wonder if it tastes different up there, like, does microgravity change how food tastes?
Loral O’Hara’s work sounds so tough but important, plumbing in space! Who would’ve thought, right? Also, teaching kids about microscopes, that’s inspiring.
I’ve always wondered how they manage regular stuff like health checks in zero gravity, seems super challenging!
really interesting read, didn’t know about all the science stuff they do up there, like the liver stem cell research, impressive…