NASA astronaut Mike Foreman, veteran of five ISS spacewalks, talks suits, cooperation and planetary defence ahead of the Asteroid Day Festival, hosted by the Asteroid Foundation in Luxembourg.
This article was written in collaboration with the Asteroid Foundation team.
As commercial human spaceflight expands, what challenges still need to be solved before spacewalks become routine?
MF: We need a newer spacewalk suit — one that fits better, is more flexible and easier to work in, and is sized to fit a larger percentage of the population.
What are the key ingredients for successful international collaboration in planetary defence?
MF: Communication among multi-national and multi-cultural agencies is the most critical thing. If we don’t come together to work and share ideas, we won’t succeed in protecting our planet.
“I wish every human being could spend five minutes up there looking back at our planet.”
Mike Foreman
What’s the biggest engineering challenge between today’s asteroid resource concepts and a viable operational mission?
MF: The biggest challenge will be pooling our resources so we can afford an effective operational mission.
What kinds of conversations actually lead to meaningful action, and what should the space community focus on today?
MF: Focus on building relationships between countries and organisations, so that meaningful projects can be taken on in the near future.
Looking back on your missions, was there a moment in space that changed the way you think about Earth or humanity’s place in the universe?
MF: Every moment in space changed — and is still changing — the way I think about our planet. Earth is so amazingly beautiful, fragile and peaceful-looking from space. I wish every human being could spend five minutes up there looking back at our planet. The world would be a completely different place if that were possible.
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Ask An Astronaut | Julie Payette On Space
