NASA Highlight: Astronaut Kjell Lindgren
Kjell N. Lindgren was chosen by NASA in 2009. Born in Taiwan
whereas his household was stationed abroad, he spent most of his childhood overseas and returned to the U.S. to finish his training and earn a Doctorate of Drugs from the College of Colorado. He’s board licensed in emergency and aerospace medication. After serving because the Deputy Crew Surgeon for House Shuttle mission STS‐130 and Expedition 24, he was chosen to hitch our astronaut corps. Dr. Lindgren flew on the Worldwide House Station from July 2015 to December 2015 and logged 141 days in area. He participated in two spacewalks and in additional than 100 completely different scientific experiments. In his free time, Dr. Lindgren enjoys spending time together with his household, operating, studying, films, pictures and beginner astronomy.
He took a while from being a NASA astronaut to reply questions on his life and profession! Take pleasure in:
What’s one factor you’d take to area that might make life simpler?
An actual R2 unit, after all! Simply kidding, however sooner or later… Truthfully although, life is fairly good on the Worldwide House Station. Whereas it’s nonetheless loads like tenting (sleeping baggage, no operating water, rehydrated meals) the area station staff has actually outfitted us for achievement. As you all put together for YOUR future spaceflight, I’d say that the 2 most helpful objects I had with me each day had been a pair of scissors and a spoon. The scissors had been tremendous helpful for reducing plastic wrappers, tape, and so forth., and opening meals packages (way more helpful than a knife). And the spoon is the one utensil you want for consuming – no less than with the meals system that we now have proper now.
Who helped get you to the place you’re?
Getting this chance, turning into an astronaut – that was a staff effort for certain. I had so many individuals strolling alongside me on this journey, serving to me alongside the way in which. My dad and mom set the bit early on – telling me that I may turn into no matter I needed by laborious work. They actually gave me permission to dream large. Academics and coaches, mentors, co-workers and pals all performed an enormous half in reaching this aim. Most of all, although, my spouse, Kristi and my three youngsters have been an integral a part of this journey. I’d not have this job, and I wouldn’t achieve success in it with out their love and day by day assist.
You and your crew mates had been the primary astronauts to reap lettuce grown on orbit. How did it style?
The lettuce tasted like…lettuce, which was a very good factor, as a result of if it hadn’t, then it meant we had made an enormous mistake. It was a lot enjoyable to be part of that experiment. The payoff, attending to eat contemporary grown meals on orbit was after all, a whole lot of enjoyable. However simply attending to handle the lettuce plant, watch it develop within the sterile wanting surroundings of the area station, attending to handle this residing factor each day, it was good for the soul.
How do you put together for somebody getting harm or sick in area?
We practice no less than two crew members on each expedition to be Crew Medical Officers, or CMOs. They spend about 40 – 50 hours studying find out how to use the medical tools and procedures on the area station, in order that they will primarily function an extension of the flight surgeon in mission management. We now have tools and drugs to cope with most minor sicknesses and accidents. However as a result of we’re in low earth orbit, we will evacuate an in poor health crew member again to Earth within the occasion of a extreme medical difficulty. This feature gained’t be obtainable as we push out farther from Earth, so we’ll want extra rigorous coaching and a extra complete medical system.
What number of occasions did you apply to be an astronaut?
I used to be very lucky and bought chosen on my first strive. I’ve a number of pals within the workplace although, who utilized 4 or 5 occasions earlier than being chosen. It’s wonderful to undergo the choice course of and to fulfill others who share your dream. Benefit from the expertise and maintain making use of – it’s value it!
How can I enhance my probabilities of being chosen to turn into an astronaut?
I like to recommend persevering with to do issues that you simply get pleasure from, proceed to construct expertise at work and perhaps search for new alternatives in your job that may develop you in your profession and develop you as a frontrunner. However select alternatives as a result of YOU wish to do them, not primarily based on what you assume NASA is searching for. There is no such thing as a one path or expertise that results in turning into an astronaut. We now have an incredible variety of expertise and background within the astronaut workplace.
What recommendation do you have got for the most recent astronauts?
Benefit from the journey! Spaceflight is wonderful, however at the same time as astronauts, most of us spend 95% of our profession on the bottom. Take pleasure in each a part of the job, supporting missions as a Spacecraft Communicator (CapCom), verifying procedures for a restore or coaching for a spacewalk. It’s wonderful to be part of the staff that launches and helps people residing and dealing in area. It’s an incredible factor.
Which is extra thrilling: spacewalking or skydiving?
Skydiving was fairly wonderful. I bought to do fairly a little bit of it as a member of the Air Power Academy parachute staff. However there’s nothing fairly like doing a spacewalk. It’s an indescribable expertise, placing a whole lot of hours of coaching to work, the bodily and psychological problem of working in that harsh surroundings. However the view outdoors the area station, of the Earth, the celebrities, the construction of the area station – it was a spotlight of my time in area and one thing I’ll always remember.
What’s essentially the most attention-grabbing half about coaching with the Dragon capsule?
It has been superior working with the NASA and SpaceX groups as we’re making ready to launch within the Crew Dragon capsule. My favourite a part of the expertise has at all times been and continues to be the individuals. Safely sending people to area and again is without doubt one of the most tough issues humanity has ever finished. That problem attracts one of the best and brightest individuals from throughout our nation. Attending to work with these people at NASA and at SpaceX, to expertise their enthusiasm, dedication and ingenuity each day is a present. It has additionally been a whole lot of enjoyable seeing a unique strategy to human spaceflight. I’m very accustomed to how NASA and the Russian House Company Roscosmos function. It has been enjoyable seeing a unique perspective and strategy.
Are you able to share your favourite photograph or video that you simply took in area?
Sure! That is my favourite photograph of the Milky Means, with a lightning strike illuminating a photo voltaic array.
Thanks Dr. Lindgren, and good luck in your subsequent spaceflight!
Be certain to comply with us on Tumblr to your common dose of area: http://nasa.tumblr.com.
