Former astronaut Michael A.Baker said that when flying into the surrounding space is deep black, feeling very lonely, needing strong determination to the end and young people with enough passion have the opportunity to become become an astronaut.
Former astronaut Michael A.Baker (69 years old) who has nearly 1.000 hours of space flight opened his story with more than 1.500 students in Ho Chi Minh City during the Vietnam Space Week series of events, on the morning of June 7. . He was one of seven astronauts who performed a 6-day space mission in January 10 aboard the space shuttle STS 1. His mission and crew were to carry out refueling and refueling. more than 1997 pounds (about 81 tons) for the Russian International Space Station and conduct research.
Sharing the feeling of flying into space, he recalled seeing the deep black surrounding, feeling very lonely. But when observing the Earth with its blue color and surrounding atmosphere, he felt a spiritual connection with the blue planet and told himself to protect the only life in the solar system. “I felt cherished for our planet,” recalls Michael A.Baker.
Former astronaut Michael A.Baker (left) and doctor Josefs Schmid at an exchange with more than 1.500 students in Ho Chi Minh City, on the morning of June 7. Photo: Ha An
Before performing docking with the Russian international space station for refueling and fueling, Michael A.Baker's astronaut group had to go around performing a research mission. During this time, he took many images of the Earth with infrared lenses. It was an opportunity for him to see the blue planet, admire and have many new perspectives in many parts of the world.
He said, after 10 days in space with the mission aboard STS 81, returning to Earth with him and his crew members was a challenge. The astronauts then had to land at over 195 miles per hour, much faster than commercial airplanes (about 125 miles per hour). The grounding must ensure the maximum reduction of friction, reducing the internal heat to ensure the safety of the astronaut.
A child asked for autographs and chatted in English with astronaut Michael A.Baker. Photo: Ha An
As a doctor specializing in taking care of astronauts, Mr. Josefs Schmid shared, when returning to Earth they had to transition from a state of weightlessness to having weight. This causes the fluid in the body, internal organs, and bones to shift, so you feel dizzy and tired. Astronauts take several hours to several days to return to balance.
In addition to physical problems, astronauts must ensure the most psychological comfort when participating in a journey in space. "Before boarding a spaceship, you must have a comfortable mind and always smile," said Dr. Josefs Schhmid. Currently, astronauts have the opportunity to communicate with relatives and family during missions in space when they are equipped with communication systems and the internet, so they can connect to Earth through the space station. international headquarters.
Opportunities for young Vietnamese to become astronauts
Sending a message to young people, Michael A.Baker said that becoming an astronaut needs a process of nurturing passion and determination as well as an extremely persistent training process. He shared that he was lucky to have a father who was a navy soldier – a passionate example that made him participate in naval training when he grew up to become a pilot.
What made Michael A.Baker decide to become an astronaut when he participated in the NASA exhibition in the 1980s. The fascinating space images that made the guy apply and compete with 16.000 applications are all pilots. to select 10 people. Michael A.Baker is one of those 10 people.
He said that Vietnam needs to have its own program on aerospace training. Young Vietnamese people can study this field abroad to participate in the rigorous selection process, becoming astronauts. More than half of America's astronauts serve in the military, with the rest in other fields.
A large number of students and students excitedly asked for the autographs of the astronauts and members of the delegation. Photo: Ha An
Referring to the challenges of space science, Mr. Michael A.Baker said, there are many satellites launched and when they complete their missions, they create debris, called space junk. According to statistics, there are currently about 200.000 pieces of satellite debris suspended in the air. These fragments can create collisions in space or fly into the atmosphere, friction with air and can burn up when falling to Earth. "Countries are working together to solve this problem and this is a topic that needs young people to have ideas for cleaning up trash in space," suggested Mr. Michael A.Baker.
Vnexpress.net
