NASA's six astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) sent a heartfelt Independence Day message to Earth, celebrating the holiday from their unique vantage point in space.
NASA astronauts Mike Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy C. Dyson, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, recorded their message on June 28, expressing their best wishes to those on Earth.
NASA Astronauts Celebrate the 4th of July Aboard the ISS
These astronauts are part of Expedition 71 and live and work aboard the ISS. Their missions are focused on expanding scientific knowledge and testing new technologies that will pave the way for future human and robotic missions to the Moon and Mars, particularly NASA's Artemis lunar missions.
Jeanette Epps reflected on the significance of the Fourth of July, mentioning that it always reminds her of the freedoms fought for every day worldwide.
Each astronaut shared personal thoughts and reflections on what the holiday meant to them, emphasizing themes of freedom, family, and the historical importance of the documents that founded the United States.
The astronauts highlighted their personal connections to the holiday. For Epps, the day evokes memories of the ongoing struggle for freedom and the joy of celebrating with family and friends. Barratt sees the day as a reminder of the courage and determination of the forefathers who fought for independence.
The team also brought along symbolic artifacts like the Declaration of Independence and the first Bill of Rights, which they described as sacred documents that laid the groundwork for the nation's multicultural democracy.
A Second Home in Space
Living and working in space, the astronauts have a unique perspective on the idea of home. Suni Williams, originally from Boston, mentioned how she associates the Fourth of July with her hometown, the birthplace of many significant events in the nation's history.
Despite being far from Earth, the ISS has become their temporary home, but they all look forward to returning to the United States.
"For now, this is our home. But we'll be happy to come home to the United States of America. Happy 4th of July," Williams said in the video.
Barratt, Dominick, and Epps arrived at the ISS in early March aboard SpaceX's Crew-8 mission. Dyson followed a few weeks later, arriving on a Russian Soyuz vehicle. All four astronauts are scheduled for a six-month stay aboard the orbiting laboratory.
Williams and Wilmore arrived more recently, on June 6, on the first crewed flight of Boeing's Starliner capsule, a mission known as Crew Flight Test (CFT).
Initially expected to last around 10 days, the mission has been extended multiple times due to helium leaks and thruster issues with the Starliner capsule. According to Space.com, there is no set departure date for CFT as of now.
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