Shannon Walker: Two ISS Flights, Training Through Covid and the Human Perspective from Space

In this NASA's Curious Universe Field Notes episode, Christina Dana talks with Shannon Walker, a NASA astronaut who has flown to the International Space Station twice. Walking through training with international partners, daily life on the ISS, and Earth as seen from orbit, Shannon reveals both the awe and the routine of spaceflight and highlights the breadth of NASA careers beyond astronauts. The episode blends personal story with scientific perspective, from viewing the cupola window to the fragility of our planet and the visceral feel of launch days.

• Two time ISS veteran discusses training in Russia and with international partners, and adjustments due to Covid
• Life on the ISS includes looking at Earth from the cupola, experiencing microgravity, and adapting to a crowded station
• Launch experiences described in vivid detail for Soyuz and SpaceX Dragon missions
• NASA careers span photographers, divers, technicians and more, with ships named in her honor

Overview

The podcast features Shannon Walker, a NASA astronaut who has flown to the International Space Station twice. Her first flight in 2010 used a Soyuz to travel round trip with the Russians, while her second flight was part of SpaceX Crew-1, launching in late 2020 and returning in 2021. Shannon sits down with Christina Dana to describe training across multiple countries, the evolution of training during Covid, and the day to day science and maintenance work aboard the space station. The discussion also dives into Shannon's Texas roots and the perspective that comes from looking back at Earth from orbit. The Field Notes series aims to illuminate the people and places behind NASA’s spaceflight work, beyond the offices and labs.

Training and International Partnerships

Shannon explains that her first flight required roughly three years of training, including substantial time in Russia and coordination with Canada, Europe and Japan. The space station was still transitioning into long term science, so the early days were a blend of maintenance and setting up the science program. By contrast, her Crew-1 training for the Dragon vehicle happened under the shadow of Covid, which forced smarter, streamlined training timelines, typically about a year and a half to two years depending on the role. The emphasis shifted toward science payloads as the station matured, with international collaboration remaining a core element of preparation and operations.

Living and Working on the ISS

The conversation highlights how living in microgravity makes everyday tasks feel normal after a short acclimation period. Shannon recalls sleeping in a sleeping bag and floating to breakfast, and notes the cupola provides a 360 degree Earth view that surpasses anything you see from an ordinary plane window. She shares memories of observing Earth through different seasons and weather patterns, including snow from space and African thunderstorms at night. The discussion underscores Earth as a fragile, thin blue line against the backdrop of space, a reminder of our planet’s vulnerability even as we explore beyond it.

Launch Experiences: Soyuz vs Dragon

Shannon details the sensory experience of launches, describing the eight and a half minute ascent into space and the intense feeling of g forces. The Soyuz ascent brings approximately four and a half g, with stages separated by loud explosions as boosters jettison. The Dragon ascent, with two stages, maintains a gentler approach to g loads, and Shannon notes the moment of ignition and the “kick in the pants” when the second stage lights. The end result in both cases is a successful arrival at space, followed by immediate post launch float time. The narrative captures the visceral and emotional aspects of leaving Earth for space.

Earth From Above and the Fragility of Our Atmosphere

From the Cupola and its 360 degree Earth view Shannon reflects on how the atmosphere appears as a tiny, fragile band. She remarks on how night reveals city lights and roads between places with sparse populations, while day exposes rivers and oceans. The ability to observe weather systems and lightning activity over the African continent reinforces the sense of Earth’s interconnected systems and fragility, a powerful contrast to the vastness of space that makes exploration possible.

NASA Careers and Outreach

The episode emphasizes that NASA is not only about astronauts and scientists. Shannon describes leading a group of engineers in the space station control center, and she highlights the broad spectrum of roles at NASA, including photographers, scuba divers, technicians and fabricators who contribute to missions. Her closing encouragement to young listeners is a reminder that there are many ways to participate in NASA’s work and that a dream can be realized through persistence and curiosity.

Shannon Walker's Legacy and Honors

Shannon has accumulated 331 days in space across her two missions, and her work continues to support launches and future missions. The episode notes that SpaceX named a recovery vessel in her honor, the Shannon and Megan, alongside Megan McArthur’s namesake ship. These honors reflect her impact on NASA’s culture and operation beyond her time on the ISS.

Closing Thoughts

The podcast closes with reflections on the long arc of science and space exploration. Shannon stresses that major achievements take time and collective effort, and she urges young people to pursue their NASA dreams, highlighting the breadth of NASA’s opportunities and the ways in which science and technology continue to move society forward.