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SCIENCEMonday 14 March 2016
Year-in-space astronaut hangs up his spacesuit, retires
SETH BORENSTEIN In this Wednesday, March 2, 2016 photo provided by NASA, International Space Station (ISS) who he added deserves
AP Science Writer crew member Scott Kelly of the U.S. reacts after landing near the town of Dzhezkazgan, Kazakh- “meals that don’t come
WASHINGTON (AP) — After stan. On Friday, March 11, 2016, NASA announced Kelly’s retirement, which begins April 1. The in a bag, a cold beer,
spending nearly a year in 52-year-old Kelly holds the American record for most time in space: 520 days. Associated Press hot showers, cool autumn
space, astronaut Scott Kel- breezes, the sounds of
ly is hanging up his space- in a video. as part of his year-in-space Logsdon, a retired space birds chirping, the ability to
suit. “This year-in-space mission mission, NASA said. policy professor. lay his head on an actual
NASA announced Kelly’s was a profound challenge “Adjusting in space is eas- “I’m willing to bet that no pillow and so much more
retirement on Friday, less for all involved, and it gave ier than adjusting to Earth one could name another of the pleasures of life.”
than two weeks after he re- me a unique perspective for me,” Kelly said in his first NASA astronaut, anyone Astronauts who eventually
turned to Earth. He leaves and a lot of time to re- postflight news conference not close to the program,” will land on Mars “will be
the space agency on April flect on what my next step a week ago. Even then he Logsdon said. “It clears the following in the footsteps
1. should be on our continued gave a hint of what was to way for the next genera- of one of the finest astro-
The 52-year-old Kelly spent journey to help further our come, saying he doubted tion of space fliers. There nauts in the history of the
a U.S.-record 340 days in capabilities in space and he’d fly again for NASA but are a few veteran fliers left, space program, my friend,
orbit on the International on Earth,” Kelly said in a adding, “I’ll never be done but not many.” Commander Scott Kelly,”
Space Station to see how statement issued by NASA. with space. I will always be NASA Administrator Charles Bolden said in a statement.
the human body holds up No specific plans for what’s involved.” Bolden, a retired astronaut Kelly returned from the
for long periods of time in next were announced. But Kelly’s departure means himself, said the space space station on March 2,
space. His results are being Kelly will continue to under- the space agency is losing agency and science in landing in Kazakhstan with
compared to those on the go periodic medical tests its biggest star, said John general is grateful to Kelly, Russia’s Mikhail Kornienko,
ground from his twin broth- his partner for the one-year
er, Mark, who is a retired mission. The usual space
astronaut. station stint is six months.
Scott Kelly also holds the His re-entry into land living
American record for most was good and bad. Home
time in space: 520 days in Houston, he dove into
over four missions. his backyard pool still in his
“I look forward to continu- blue flight suit, going un-
ing my 30 years of public derwater for the first time in
service in a new role,” Kel- nearly a year. But clothing
ly, who joined the Navy in was a problem. In space,
1987, said in a Facebook his clothes floated around
post. “To continue toward him and didn’t touch his
any journey, we must al- skin.“It’s very, very sensi-
ways challenge ourselves tive,” he told reporters last
to take the next step.” week. “It’s almost like a
During his one-year trip, burning feeling wherever I
Kelly posted hundreds of like sit or lie or walk.”
images, mostly of Earth Before leaving orbit, Kelly
from orbit, on social me- tweeted: “The journey isn’t
dia. But he also engaged over. Follow me as I redis-
in a little fun, donning a cover #Earth!”
gorilla suit that was a gag His Twitter followers have
gift from his brother and since read about his first
chasing fellow astronauts steak, first dental appoint-
through the space station ment, first rain and that dip
in the pool.q
