Astronaut Jessica Meir answers questions from space

Jessica Meir responds to a sound check by greeting her mother on stage at Caribou High School, drawing immediate applause and cheers from the packed auditorium.

Astronaut Calls Her Mom From Space

Jessica Meir reflects on growing up in rural Maine under dark skies uncluttered by light pollution, fostering a curiosity about the cosmos that never stopped.

Why She Wanted to Become an Astronaut Since Age Five

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Floating like Spider-Man on the Space Station

Astronaut Jessica Meir describes the surreal feeling of achieving her lifelong dream before floating her microphone and pulling off a Spider-Man move on the ceiling.

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Getting Rejected by NASA Before Becoming an Astronaut

She was rejected by NASA before making it to space

Jessica Meir explains the heartbreak of being rejected after reaching the final interview stage at NASA and how resilience pushed her to try again four years later.

If you are not failing, you are probably not trying hard enough

After being rejected during astronaut selection, Jessica Meir faced the emotional challenge of deciding whether to reapply. She embraced the risk, earned her spot, and explains why failure is an essential sign of pushing your limits.

Why Failing Means You Are Actually Trying

Growing up in a small town gave me an edge in space

Jessica Meir explains how growing up in a small town provided a broad worldview and empathy that helped her master teamwork aboard the International Space Station.

Why Growing Up in a Small Town Is a Secret Superpower

500,000 pieces of space junk flying at 17,500 mph

Jessica Meir breaks down the growing threat of orbital space junk and explains how even tiny particles moving at 17,500 miles per hour can puncture spacesuits and spacecraft.

The Terrifying Danger of Space Junk at 17,500 MPH

Nothing between your boots and planet Earth.

Astronaut Jessica Meir describes looking down past her boots to see Earth during a spacewalk, reflecting on human insignificance and the fragile planet we must protect.

What It Feels Like to Step Out on a Spacewalk

Simulating Moon gravity at the bottom of a giant pool.

Jessica Meir explains how NASA configures ballast and weights underwater in the Neutral Buoyancy Lab pool to simulate one-sixth lunar gravity for Artemis astronauts.

How Astronauts Train for Lunar Gravity Underwater

NASA redesigned their spacesuit so astronauts can actually squat.

Astronaut Jessica Meir breaks down the new xEMU spacesuit, demonstrating the increased waist flexibility and range of motion designed for lunar exploration.

NASA's Upgraded Artemis Moon Suit Mobility

[01:06] Astronaut Calls Her Mom From Space
[02:05] Why She Wanted to Become an Astronaut Since Age Five
[05:24.800] Floating like Spider-Man on the Space Station
[07:04.000] Getting Rejected by NASA Before Becoming an Astronaut
[07:55] Why Failing Means You Are Actually Trying
[09:28] Why Growing Up in a Small Town Is a Secret Superpower
[11:20] The Terrifying Danger of Space Junk at 17,500 MPH
[16:26] What It Feels Like to Step Out on a Spacewalk
[18:01] How Astronauts Train for Lunar Gravity Underwater
[18:34] NASA's Upgraded Artemis Moon Suit Mobility

Astronaut Jessica Meir answers questions from space

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