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US Vice President Kamala Harris made a special appeal to the International Space Station (ISS) to celebrate Women’s History Month and some of the groundbreaking work astronauts are doing in orbit.
NASA shared a video of the conversation between Harris and astronauts Shannon Walker and Kate Rubins, who are currently working aboard the ISS for a six-month mission. The call, which NASA posted on YouTube on Wednesday, March 24, took place during Women’s History Month.
“Greetings from the White House, where I am right now,” Harris said enthusiastically at the start of the video. “Congratulations on all of your success and for being women in space – you are all amazing role models.”
Video: VP Kamala Harris calls the space station! Discussions with NASA’s Shannon Walker and Kate Rubins
Related: 20 women pioneers in astronomy and astrophysics
Harris asked Walker and Rubins about the research they’re currently working on and to share tips for kids who might be interested in becoming astronauts or scientists.
“I don’t think any of us ever really thought we would be astronauts,” said Rubins, who was the first person to sequence DNA in space, in the video. “So I would encourage anyone who even thinks about it, don’t hold back. All of our crew do what we do because we love it. We love every minute of it.”
Some of the research being done on the space station today includes studying thousands of tiny worms to see how muscle strength changes in the space environment, and working with floating satellites that will aid future explorations of the Moon and Mars.
These satellites, called Astrobees, work alongside astronauts independently or via a remote control. Robots are designed to perform routine tasks and duties around the space station, such as documenting experiences, working together to move cargo, or help find lost equipment. The astronauts are testing robotic technology so that the Astrobees can one day service future spacecraft while the crew is away, Walker said in the video.
“Science is hard work and people are afraid of class, and they think it’s tough and it’s going to be too hard for them,” Rubins said in the video. “Science is amazing – it’s so much fun, it makes every day fun, and we love it. We love doing science in space.”
Harris expressed his gratitude for the work of the astronauts and invited them to come visit the White House upon their return to Earth.
Last month, I spoke with astronauts Dr. Shannon Walker and Dr. Kate Rubins aboard the International Space Station. They set an example for little girls around the world to dream big, lead with conviction and see themselves as the scientists and astronauts of tomorrow. pic.twitter.com/tQR5lK7JSYMarch 24, 2021
“Last month, I spoke with astronauts Dr. Shannon Walker and Dr. Kate Rubins aboard the International Space Station. They set an example for little girls around the world to dream big, lead with conviction, and see themselves as scientists and astronauts. of tomorrow, ” Harris said in a tweet.
It was not the first time Harris had called the space station since taking office. In February, she called the orbiting lab to congratulate NASA astronaut Victor Glover on becoming the first black astronaut to complete a long-duration mission to the space station. Glover, who arrived at the ISS on a SpaceX Crew Dragon capsule in November, is now four months away from his planned six-month stay.
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