Like many people, I was first introduced to Colonel Chris...

Like many people, I was first introduced to Colonel Chris Hadfield when I saw a photo of NYC come into my newsfeed, taken from the International Space Station. I’ve been following him ever since, as he inspired millions with the wonders of space by combining social media and, well, OUTER SPACE. “Watching a shuttle launch is great,” explains Hadfield, “But it’s more entertainment than inspiration. For the first time, social media allowed people to come along with us, and experience space like an astronaut.” 

I had the honor of meeting Mr. Hadfield while he was in New York, doing interviews surrounding his new book, available here:http://amzn.to/1ahDcNE

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(Internal dialogue: “Do I call him Chris? Colonel? Mr. Hadfield? I’m gonna blow it! I’m blowing it!”)

"What’s the most frightened you ever felt in space?"
"Honestly, very little happened that I wasn’t prepared for. Astronauts prepare for everything. You’d be amazed at all the things we train for. Specialization is for insects. Humans have to be generalists— and astronauts especially. Before the mission, I actually studied with a dentist in case I needed to surgically extract a tooth. So I never felt very afraid because I’d prepared for everything. But if I was to give an answer— one time we were coming across the Indian Ocean, and I was looking down at Australia. And a shooting star passed below us. A big one. A shooting star came between us and the world. And I thought: ‘Oh man, we really are floating around in an aluminum bubble up here.’"

"What did you miss the most while you were in space?"
"If you don’t mind me using a euphemism… physical contact. Have you met my wife?"