From orbit: Launch was awesome!! I am feeling great, working hard, & enjoying the magnificent views, the adventure of a lifetime has begun!
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Mike Massimino
@Astro_Mike
Mike Massimino’s posts
Congratulations to the entire cast & crew of for 12 years and 12 great seasons. Thank you for all the laughs and for letting me be part of the fun for a couple episodes. #TBT #BigBangTheory
Seventeen years ago today I stepped outside of space shuttle Columbia for my first spacewalk on , I experienced the beautiful view of our planet, and have thought about that day every day since.
Scariest moment of my life... today in 2009, instructed me to rip the handrail off , to save STIS. #STS125
Happy #WorldSpaceWeek! Grateful to have been part of the great team, inspiring present and future explorers!
My astronaut class (the Sardines) had our 25th reunion over zoom today, one of our classmates zoomed in from the , great to see my friends, wonderful memories
We have the first image from ! It was taken to align the telescope, and shows an image of a single star surrounded by galaxies and stars in the background. Looking forward to more!
I think Earth was meant to be viewed from space, where you can see it as a harmonious home that we all share. Much different than what we sometimes experience when on the planet.
I just got a glimpse of this recently released image of the edge of a stellar blast, every time I see one of these amazing views I am relieved that I didn't break the telescope.
12 years ago today, I went for a walk, a walk in space to replace the gyroscopes on . Each of my spacewalks were the most memorable days of my professional life: extraordinary, magical, a bit stressful, but truly the realization of great teamwork and a boyhood dream.
After a month and a million mile journey, has successfully reached its destination at the second Lagrange point. I'm looking forward to the next step in its preparation to unlock the secrets of the universe!
In space we get 16 sunsets every 24 hours, like the one from my first spaceflight on the left. On Earth we only get one, but we can enjoy it for a longer time, like the one I watched last night on the right. Both remind me that we live on a constantly moving and beautiful planet.
Today is the 20th anniversary of my first spacewalk. No longer looking through a window, I could see Earth in full view. It was overwhelming. From that altitude, Earth was the most beautiful sight I have ever seen, I felt like I was looking into heaven, a fragile paradise.
Checking out the payload bay of Space Shuttle Atlantis where I spent 2 days of my life spacewalking on , the memories of those days came flowing back into my soul.
This small marble is our oasis, there is no plan B. My one wish on #EarthDay is that we can put differences aside and protect our home.
Thank you to my friends for this wonderful gift commemorating the first tweet from space. I never thought I would be a LEGO figure!
I still cant get over the #FalconHeavyLaunch yesterday, I think this is the coolest photo I have ever seen, congrats to the Team!
Yesterday was the 55th anniversary of the 1st spacewalk performed by Ed White, paving the way for future space walkers, including me, thanks Ed!
Twenty years ago yesterday I returned from my first spaceflight and got these welcome-back-to-Earth hugs and kisses from my kids, they are both 20 years older now, but I still love those hugs!
I am so happy (and relieved) to learn that is back up and working after transitioning to a backup computer and power system, congrats and thanks to the team for making it happen!
Today marks the 20th anniversary of the Columbia Space Shuttle accident, the entire crew was lost, it was the worst day of my life. I now look back and am grateful for the memories I have with each them, but I still miss them terribly. #Godspeed my friends.
My launch 11 years ago vs. yesterday's launch: same launch pad, different rocket ship, new future. #GodSpeed
Three Russian Cosmonauts arrived at yesterday, wearing yellow and blue flight suits. I think they look great! How about you?
Yesterday I had a show and tell for my students with the handrail I broke off of during my 4th spacewalk. I am happy to report that the handrail, and Hubble, are still in excellent shape.
Godspeed to and the team for a successful trip to space tomorrow, a new phase in space exploration is about to begin
A lot has changed in the past decade but returning to Earth after a successful mission is still a joyous occasion, welcome home & ! Congrats & !
#otd in 2009 I went on the 4th and final spacewalk of my career. I made a critical mistake stripping a screw on , and was feeling down. But the team came through with a solution to save the day which resulted in absolute joy. #resilience
Was thinking about isolation today and my new book coming out on Tuesday, and it made me think of this recent photo, taken after I left NASA. Reminded me of what it is like to be inside of your very own space ship.
Twenty years ago #OTD I left our planet for the first time, I remember seeing Space Shuttle Columbia ready to go on the launchpad, it looked like a beast, like it was alive. As I soared to space I thought: "I cant believe people can build something this powerful."
38 years ago today, the Space Shuttle Columbia successfully completed the maiden flight of the world’s first reusable space vehicle. Photo courtesy of .
Twenty years ago today I returned from my first spaceflight. Everything on Earth seemed the same as before, but I had changed. I had seen the paradise that we call home from space, and was so grateful to be back safely to enjoy it.
I never met the Challenger crew, but they taught me: You only have one life. You have to spend it doing something that matters.
Engineers have begun the 3 month long process of lining up the Telescope's golden mirrors, so far so good, I can't wait to see what this new space telescope will show us, but for now we need to be patient and hope it all works.
Same Snoopy, same helmet, same me (more than 5 decades after the first photo was taken). Alot has happened since that astronaut dream began.
Congrats to and the #Inspiration4 crew for accomplishing the first totally private orbital spaceflight, I'm excited to see what will be happening next in private spaceflight!
#OTD in 2002 I put on my spacesuit and floated out into the vacuum of space for the first time. When I saw the Earth from 350 miles up I thought: "this must be what heaven looks like." We are very lucky to have such a beautiful home, and we need to take care of it.
Yesterday was my birthday and my family once again indulged me with my favorite foods: homemade pizza and chocolate cake, thanks family for the best birthday yet!
#OTD in 2009 I performed the last of my spacewalks to service . Hubble is 350 miles up, and from that altitude we clearly see the curvature of the Earth. During my last moments outside this photo was taken, and then I took one last look at our beautiful home.
I loved wearing a mask while flying in a NASA T-38, and I am getting to like my current mask collection as well. Please #WearAMask to keep us all healthy!
I was the primary astronaut advisor for the series #Away that premieres today. My advice apparently inspired to wear space socks as described in the caption of this photo - you can't say I don't give valuable advice! I also have a brief cameo in episode 1.
I never get tired of looking at the stunning images captured by . Keep an eye on their feeds for more amazing shots like this.
Alan Bean, the most extraordinary person I ever met, has passed. He was a one of a kind combination of technical achievement as an astronaut and artistic achievement as a painter. He was a great man and this is a great loss.
Today I honor and remember the brave crew who lost their lives during the Space Shuttle Challenger disaster. My thoughts are with their families and friends today.
We lost the #Challenger crew #OTD 32 years ago, I was not an astronaut then, but it reinforced that we only have one life and we should strive to do something meaningful to each of us with that life
#OTD 10 years ago the final launch of the space shuttle program took place, I was sad to see the program end and now realize it was necessary for a new phase of space exploration to begin…..but I still think it was the coolest spaceship ever!
I never met the Apollo 1 crew who were killed #OTD 51 years ago, but they are my heroes #NASARemembers
#HappyStPatricksDay! Ireland is one of the few places on Earth that looks as beautiful in person as it does from space. The advantage of seeing it in person is getting to meet the people who live there, it's one of my favorite places to visit. #eringobragh
The ultimate astronaut, my boyhood hero and colleague John Young has passed. I am grateful for the many memories of have of him, Godspeed my friend.
Spacecraft cockpits have certainly changed over the decades. From mostly manual operations in the Apollo and Shuttle days to almost competed automated in today's vehicle. These photos tell the story, sent to me from my friends @thespeakeragent.
Here I am with my STS-125 crewmates – we were motivated to support each other and to successfully service the Telescope. Not letting your team down has always been a motivation for me. #MotivationMonday
#OTD in 2009 I left our planet on-board Space Shuttle Atlantis on the final servicing mission to the . Seems like yesterday, the memories still vivid in my mind.
First photo from 's "Diary of an Astronaut":
"My official NASA photo, to support the heavy spacesuit I am actually sitting on a custom made stool."
Very excited! The street I grew up on in Long Island is being named after me, I am very honored, this is for all my family and friends.
Apollo 13 Astronaut Fred Haise came to the last night to talk about his life experiences and his new book, Never Panic Early. It was an honor for me to moderate his talk and to have gotten to know him over the past few decades, Fred is a true American hero
"Give me your tired, your poor, your huddled masses yearning to breathe free” These words greeted our families, we cannot discard them
It was one year ago this weekend that my mom passed, I think of her every day, she always encouraged me to follow my dreams, thanks mom, I miss you!
One of my favorite moments from covering the launch for channel, getting to show and tell the audience about how I flew with my snoopy in space, the same one I played astronaut with as a 6 year old.
Yesterday in my hometown, Franklin Square, New York, I attended the unveiling of my Hometown Heroes banner on the street where I grew up - which is now named in my honor. Thank you to all my friends and to the community who shared the journey to space with me throughout my life.
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Some of my most meaningful life memories were formed in the cockpit of a T-38, Happy #NationalAviationDay to all aviators! Fly Safe!
Happy Birthday to #NeilArmstrong! May we remember the man who inspired generations to come with his first step on the moon!
#Happy4thofJuly weekend! Many fireworks events were cancelled this year in the U.S, but others that occur in space go on. Such as this stellar explosion in a nearby galaxy. The image is courtesy of using an instrument that I helped to install on my first spaceflight.
Sad news, the true American hero has passed, I am honored to have known him, thinking of his family - thank you for sharing him with us
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BREAKING: American legend John Glenn has died at age 95, Ohio State Univ. president says.
I lost my friends and colleagues #OTD 15 years ago in the Space Shuttle Columbia accident. Worst day of my life. But I am so grateful for the beautiful memories I have of each of them, every day. #nasaremembers
Want to go to space? are accepting applications for the next mission to the moon. Find out if you have what it takes here:
#OTD in 2009, six of my best friends and I climbed inside of Space Shuttle Atlantis and launched on the last mission to service the , I'm so grateful for that opportunity and experience, thank you !
Sad to hear that #BigBangTheory will wrap up after the upcoming 12th season. I’m am so grateful to have been on the show and gotten to know the cast and crew. They made me feel like part of the family and I cherish their friendships. Bazinga to you all!
Happy 30th birthday ! It was an honor to spacewalk on two missions to help you to continue to show us the beauty of the universe. Below is my favorite Hubble image - the Cone Nebula - taken with a camera I installed. It is a birthplace for stars. #Hubble30BDayCake
Yesterday marked the 58th anniversary of the first woman in space, #ValentinaTereshkova, who at age 26 was also the youngest. A true trailblazer, she remains the only woman to have been on a solo space mission.
Congrats to the teams for successfully bringing my friends and back home!
Lately I've been thinking about my late friend and mentor Alan Bean- astronaut, moon walker, artist. He said the key to leadership and teamwork was find a way to admire and care for everyone on your team. Advice we could use today. I was honored to fly one of his prints in space.
Success! All of that training to repair the paid off! I got up early this morning put my vacuum back together and it worked! All while still in my penguin pajamas! Thank you for all of your good wishes! Have a great weekend!
#OTD in 2009 I had a full day off in space, one the favorite days in my life, all day I looked out the window of Space Shuttle Atlantis admiring the beauty of Earth and our universe while listening to music. Great way to spend a day off.
Congratulations to President-elect and our history making Vice-President-elect . During the 2013 inaugural parade he and the future first lady gave my colleagues and me a warm welcome (I am the astronaut on the right).
#OTD in 2009, I went outside for a walk, a spacewalk that is, to service the . We replaced gyroscopes and a battery, but what I remember most vividly is the magnificent view of our planet- like looking into heaven.
#HappyHalloween everyone. Hope it is out of this world! Here I am in my astronaut costume back in 1969.
Check it out, my name is now on the sign post at the end of the block I grew up on! Thanks to my friends & town!
