reSee.it Podcast Summary
Joe Rogan: Welcome to the Joe Rogan Experience. Today, we have Terry Virts, who spent 200 days in space.
Terry Virts: Thanks for having me! My first flight was two weeks, and after that, I wanted more. The two-week flight was incredible, but after 200 days, I felt like I had checked all the boxes. I was a shuttle pilot, station commander, and even made an IMAX movie while up there.
Joe Rogan: What was the recovery like after two weeks?
Terry Virts: There is a recovery period. I felt dizzy and heavy when I landed. The first day was tough, but after a week, I was back to about 90%. They have you exercise in space to combat bone density loss, which is about 1.5% per month. I exercised religiously, using a weightlifting machine and treadmill.
Joe Rogan: Do you sweat in space?
Terry Virts: Yes, when you exercise, you sweat a lot. But normally, you don’t notice it. I did an experiment with merino wool clothing, and it didn’t stink after a month of wearing it, which was surprising.
Joe Rogan: What kind of exercise do you do in space?
Terry Virts: We have a resistive exercise device that uses vacuum to create resistance. It’s important for maintaining muscle and bone density. I did it every day except for spacewalk days.
Joe Rogan: What’s the recovery like after a long mission?
Terry Virts: After a week, I was doing well. They monitor your balance, and I actually scored better after my flight than before. They don’t want you driving for a couple of weeks after landing.
Joe Rogan: What do you eat in space?
Terry Virts: The food is like MREs, and I actually liked it. The Russian food was great too. We had a system for sharing food we didn’t like.
Joe Rogan: How was your experience with learning Russian?
Terry Virts: I learned some, but it’s a tough language. I can have conversations, but I’m not fluent.
Joe Rogan: What was your background before becoming an astronaut?
Terry Virts: I was a test pilot and flew jets. I was inspired by Chuck Yeager and the book "The Right Stuff."
Joe Rogan: What’s your perspective on the future of space travel?
Terry Virts: I’m optimistic. Private companies are pushing innovation, and we need to keep exploring.
Joe Rogan: What’s the deal with space debris?
Terry Virts: It’s a huge problem. We need to manage it better. If we don’t, it could make space travel impossible in the future.
Joe Rogan: Do you think we’ll colonize other planets?
Terry Virts: It’s possible, but we need to figure out the technology and the politics first.
Joe Rogan: What’s your take on extraterrestrial life?
Terry Virts: There are likely other life forms out there, but the distances are vast. We might never know for sure.
Joe Rogan: What’s your book about?
Terry Virts: "How to Astronaut" shares my experiences and insights from space travel, aimed at a general audience.
Joe Rogan: Where can people find you online?
Terry Virts: You can find me on Instagram as Astro Terry.
Joe Rogan: Thanks for coming on, Terry. It was a pleasure.
Terry Virts: Thanks for having me!