Army astronauts speak to Soldiers from space during holidays

By NASAJanuary 4, 2010

Army Astronauts Speak with Soldiers from Space
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

WASHINGTON (Jan. 4, 2009) -- During the holidays, some U.S. forces in Iraq got the chance to talk with two NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station who also are far away from their families and friends.

Station Commander Jeff Williams, a retired U.S. Army colonel, and Flight Engineer T.J. Creamer, an Army colonel, talked with U.S. forces while orbiting 220 miles above Earth. Servicemembers talked with the astronauts about life on the station, their military careers and what it is like to live in space for up to six months.

Technology developed for the space and Earth science programs at NASA is currently being repurposed for use to protect Soldiers in Iraq and across the globe. Examples include satellite-based communications and weather resources, GPS, and other NASA spinoffs.

NASA Television provided live coverage of the conversations, with video from aboard the station during the event. A video file with edited footage from both the station and the servicemembers in Iraq is available on the NASA Web site.

Related Links:

Related story: Soldier blasts off for mission on International Space Station

Army astronauts converse with Soldiers; watch the video here

U.S. Army Astronauts on Facebook

Infinte Possibilities: Soldier astronauts on GoArmy.com

ISS Expedition 22 on NASA.gov

Follow Col. (Ret) Jeff Williams on Twitter

Follow Col. T.J. Creamer on Twitter