On Thursday, the first commercial space walk in history took place. American astronaut Jeffrey Hoffman noted in the program “Fakty o świata” on TVN24 BiS that private space flights are a source of innovation. The American, who has spent over a thousand hours in space, also had advice for Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański preparing for a flight to the International Space Station.
Two Americans took the first-ever commercial spacewalk on Thursday. It lasted 20 minutes, SpaceX announced, whose Falcon 9 rocket carried a capsule carrying four astronauts into orbit Tuesday.
American astronaut and professor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology Jeffrey Hoffman, asked in the “Fakty o świata” program on TVN24 BiS about his experience in space, mentioned his first spacewalk, which took place in 1985.
– On each mission, two people were trained to use our suits in case something happened, but we didn't plan to do any walk-arounds. Our mission was to launch two satellites, but one of them didn't turn on, so NASA made the decision to send me and my partner into space – he said about his first, unplanned spacewalk.
Later, Jeffery Hoffman was one of the crew members who went on the first servicing mission of the Hubble Telescope in 1993. “That gave me the opportunity to do three more walks. From inside the shuttle you have a wonderful view of Earth, but when you get out in the spacesuit and you realize that there's space five centimeters from your face, you have a sense of emptiness all around you,” he added.
Hoffman: Five centimeters from your face is spaceTVN24 BiS
Hoffman: Private Spaceflight a Source of Innovation
He admitted that he is a fan of private space flights. He assessed that they are the source of many innovations that “NASA was not able to do”. – Fortunately, NASA uses many of these innovations. Using SpaceX capsules, astronauts reach the International Space Station – he said.
– We are gaining a lot of new opportunities thanks to private space flights – he emphasized and added that thanks to private companies, more and more people have the chance to experience space flight.
Hoffman: Private Spaceflight a Source of InnovationTVN24 BiS
Advice for a Polish astronaut
In 2025, Polish astronaut Sławosz Uznański is scheduled to fly to the International Space Station with representatives USA, Hungarian and IndiaOn August 5, they began training together in the United States.
Jeffrey Hoffman, when asked what advice he would give to a Polish astronaut, replied: “When people ask me what is the most important psychological aspect of an astronaut, I always say patience.” “Anyone who sits on the tip of a loaded rocket is taking a certain risk,” he said.
– I can advise anyone who is preparing to fly into space to have fun, really enjoy this opportunity, because it is something unique. It will change your life, you will see and experience things you never knew about – he assured.
First ever commercial spacewalkSpaceX
The American astronaut emphasized that NASA sends people into space primarily to perform specific tasks. “But when I was there on a spacewalk, I always tried to leave a bit of my consciousness, to experience it and be amazed: how wonderful it is, how amazing it is, what I'm doing,” he pointed out.
– I've heard of people coming back from spacewalks and being so focused on doing what they were told, what's important, that they forgot to have fun, to enjoy how wonderful this experience is. So you're in for an amazing experience, give it a moment for yourself, because it will change your life, and of course take care of yourself, watch yourself, because the most important thing is safety – he told the Polish astronaut.
Main image source: SpaceX