Our three big emergencies are fire, loss of pressurization or contaminated atmosphere. Any of those things in a spaceship are very deadly and time critical. Everybody's trained, but I'm the commander of the ship, and it's up to me to decide. Chris Hadfield atmospherebigcommander share on social
It is spectacular. From about five minutes in, when we knew for sure that we were going to have the weather to go, the smile on my face just got bigger and bigger, and I was just beaming through the whole launch. I mean, it is just an amazing ride. Chris Hadfield amazebeambig share on social
In the astronaut business - the shuttle is a very complicated vehicle; it's the most complicated flying machine ever built. And in the astronaut business, we have a saying, which is, 'There is no problem so bad that you can't make it worse.' Chris Hadfield astronautbadbadly share on social
I'm a mechanical engineer, and I grew up on a farm, so I like practical hardware - somebody's elegant solution that proves itself over the long term. Chris Hadfield elegantengineerfarm Change image and share on social
Space is not a good place to mix foods because as soon as you take something out of the package, it becomes a flying object. Chris Hadfield flyfoodgood Change image and share on social
You can get claustrophobia and agoraphobia - a fear of wide, open spaces - simultaneously on a spacewalk. Chris Hadfield agoraphobiaclaustrophobiafear Change image and share on social
In the Soyuz, the little Russian capsule, you can actually hear the banging of the big shield, the big heat shield on the bottom, as it slowly erodes away from the heat and pieces of it fly off like sparks across your window, and it's an interesting thing to ride through, you know. Chris Hadfield bangbigbottom share on social
Now, as an astronaut, I have to bring a Sharpie with me everywhere - so I have a pen to sign autographs. Chris Hadfield astronautautographbring Change image and share on social
The beauty of the space station, and of human spaceflight, is that it is now at a level of maturity where you can invite people on-board, which is what I worked so hard to do on social media and all the videos I made. Chris Hadfield beautyboardhard share on social
The best simulator for spacewalking is underwater - it allows full visuals and body movement in 3D. Virtual reality is good, too, and has some advantages, like full Station simulation, not just part. Like all simulators, they have parts that are wrong and misleading: an important thing to remember when preparing for reality. Chris Hadfield advantagebodyfull share on social