Would you consider going on a one-way mission to Mars to be the first person to visit?

"Yes. I would be honoured to be given the opportunity."

How do you (not your father) feel about that?

I'd be sad to see him leave, proud to see him go.

Son, how would you feel about your dad leaving the planet forever? Obviously a mix of pride and sadness, but in the end, would you say "go?"

In a tearful heartbeat.

What does the ISS smell like? Is it like fresh air conditioning, or like a locker room?

"It smells clean, like a tidy laboratory, with a hint of machine."

We always see photos of the Earth taken from the space station, but obviously any time the Earth or Moon are in the shot, you can't see any stars due to the exposure level.

What do the stars look like when you're physically in space looking at them? Is the arm of the Milky way visible from the space station? Is it as amazing or more amazing than a really clear night on the Earth?

I've been wondering about this for a while and haven't been able to Google up an answer. Obviously telescopes get amazing photos from up there, but I'm more curious about what the human eye can see.

"Yes - that part of the sky is indeed milky. And with no air particles in the way, the stars don't twinkle - they shine as steady points of light."

Please tell me what it's like to FLOAT ??

"It is the most amazing experience you can know. Once you get over the sickness from your inner ear getting used to not having an up or down, that is."

How similar is it to floating in a pool? NASA says it's similar in their explanations for the training you guys go through, but you mention inner ear sickness while adjusting, and I don't find that a common problem in a pool! :) If you can put any subtleties about the difference into words, 'twould be much appreciated!

"Imagine floating in a pool without water, if you can. We train in the pool because it is the closest approximation we have on earth, but nothing can do it true justice. The inner ear problem comes from your body no longer having a judge of up and down. Without an up and down, your balance becomes out of whack, your body thinks you're poisoned and you vomit. Makes the first day less enjoyable."

Have you thrown up in space? Is that... messy?

"Yes, and yes."

Did you throw up both times you were in space, or were you used to it enough a second time that you didn't get sick?

Sorry to point you to wikipedia, but it does have a good explanation of space vomit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space_adaptation_syndrome

Edit: He was better the second time, but the two flights were half a decade apart.

You came to my school on a day I was absent and I've yet to forgive myself. I also did a project on you in the sixth grade. You're awesome :)

My question is, do you think the colonization of space is a viable possibility in the next hundred or so years?

Thanks for doing this AMA!

"Of course! We have been permanently living off the planet on ISS for over a decade. It is our first permanent step away from home, as a species."

As a Canadian astronaut, are there any Canadian space technologies he's particularly proud of? The Canadarm is an obvious one, but there is a lot of Canadian technology on the shuttles and space station. Are there others he finds impressive?

Dad was the first Canadian to operate the Canadarm and did spacewalk to install the Canadarm 2. I can assure you without asking that they are his pride and joy.

What is more physically draining the launch or the landing? On the Shuttle if the pilots were to lose computer navigation would there be any real chance to manually land the craft safely?

"Shuttle launch is harsher, Soyuz entry is harshest - very, very violent. We can purely manually fly both vehicles back from orbit."

What did you want to be when you were growing up?

As the moderator, I am going to pull an answer from the other thread.

"I decided to become an astronaut on 20 Jul 69, when I was 9. I never doubted myself, just circumstances. I've been very lucky."

Interesting coincidence, I decided to become an astronaut at age 9 as well. That's the year I was finally old enough to attend Space Camp. Not quite there yet :-) maybe about halfway there. Finishing up my degree in Aerospace Engineering and then we'll see where life takes me.

Any tips for the astronaut selection process?

"Be better than the competition."

Astronomically, what do you think the greatest discovery will be before you die?

"The beauty of exploration is that you don't know the discovery until it is discovered. I don't know."

What type of fun games do astronauts play up there during the downtime? (the best answer will be what NASA hates the most)

From the other thread:

"ISS end-end races, zero G hide and go seek, and velcro darts."

What's the biggest difference between the public image of the space program and how it actually is? Like what do the public not know about an organization that sends people into space.

How well does NASA calculate and communicate the chances of the loss of spacecraft? I've gotten the sense that they know this pretty well, but that it's hidden from the public. Like there was a 5% chance for the space shuttle and that was almost exactly when the Challenger was lost. Then it was lowered to ~1% and that was almost exactly when the when Columbia was lost (statistically).

PS - Thanks for what you do! I think it's amazing, liek the best thing humanity has done.

Son's note: The funny thing about knowing all the info before reading a news article is you get to see how much shit they make up to fool the public. You can safely assume 99% of what is said in a newspaper article is made to make spaceflight look either more dangerous, less interesting, or more interesting than it actually is. In short, it is a pack of lies.

The public could know everything about NASA if they just looked at the thousand of blogs and articles published by NASA employees to inform the public. But people would rather try and make things seem more "out there".

What's the best non-obvious perk to being an astronaut?

"Well, that's hard to say. I guess I'd say respect."

How long do you think it will take for us walk on Mars?

"It is a complicated question that is up to more than just those who want to see it done. We have the skills and the capacity. All we need now is the will."

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You'd be amazed.

Edit: It's either that or a terrible pun.

His dad is an astronaut. "Badass" is his middle name.

Austin, actually.

A second answer:

"It depends on our choices and needs. We could be there in just a couple years if Earth was fatally threatened, and we prioritized budgets that way. But for pure science and research it will be much longer. We really need to invent the next level of engine technology to make it practical - like from propellers to jets, from sail to steam."

How does it feel to do something that millions dream about every day?

"It is a humbling thing to be able to live your dream, let alone the dreams of others."

What is your educational background?

Does a space mission require a several different specialists, or do you mostly have the same interests/expertise?

What are the physical requirements for going into space?

As I imagine you're actually in space for the most part, what kind of work do you do during "off" times?

"The requirements for going to space are obviously rigorous, both physically and mentally. Physically, astronauts are expected to be in top shape. There are also height restrictions (due to shuttle and suit sizes). My background is in mechanical engineering, and I was a experimental test pilot before getting selected."

"There is no real off time. Astronauts train for flights upwards of four years in advance. On top of that, there is capcom, PR work, and a variety of conferences and other behind the scenes duties."

How is sleeping in space? I imagine it would amazing not needing to toss and turn.

Son's answer: You're strapped in a foldaway closet. To me, it has always looked uncomfortable.

How well do space showers work? Does it start getting rank up there with the crew after a while? I imagine living up there being like living in a submarine, except much more cramped.

There are no showers in space. You just get dirty.

From the other thread:

"It is just as awkward as being on an outdoor camping trip with five friends."

Edit: Sponge baths.

What would be your dream mission?

"I would love to go to Mars. It is the next logical step for man, and obviously I would love to be a part of that."

What do you do for fun in space?

"Well, to put it simply, everything. It is a job you train for years to do, and when you get there you simply relish it."

First thoughts as you took off on your first launch?

From the other thread:

"Launch is like being shaken in a huge dog's jaws, while pushed from the Earth by an unstoppable unseen giant force."