Scott Kelly Quotes

Powerful Scott Kelly for Daily Growth

About Scott Kelly

Scott Joseph Kelly is an American astronaut, retired U.S. Navy captain, and former International Space Station commander. Born on April 21, 1964, in West Orange, New Jersey, he grew up with a strong interest in space exploration, influenced greatly by the Apollo missions and the moon landing. Kelly joined the U.S. Naval Academy in 1982 and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering in 1986. He then served as a naval aviator for nine years, flying over 4,000 hours on more than 40 different aircraft types. In 1996, Kelly was selected by NASA to become an astronaut and he completed his initial training in 1998. He flew his first space mission as pilot of STS-103 aboard Space Shuttle Discovery, which repaired the Hubble Space Telescope in 1999. Kelly's most significant mission was as commander of ISS Expedition 43/44, spending nearly one year on the International Space Station from March 2015 to March 2016. This mission set a record for the longest single spaceflight by an American astronaut. During his stay aboard the ISS, Kelly conducted research on the effects of long-duration space travel on the human body, contributing significantly to our understanding of how humans adapt to microgravity. Scott Kelly's autobiography, "Endurance: A Year in Space, A Lifetime of Discovery," was published in 2017. In this book, he shares his personal experiences, insights into life in space, and the impact of his year-long mission on both himself and his twin brother Mark, who remained on Earth as a control subject for various medical studies. Kelly's quotes often reflect his experiences and perspective on life, such as: "Space isn't peaceful...it's harsh, but beautiful. It has taught me that there is no limit to what you can do or see if you are willing to push yourself." His work continues to inspire future generations of space explorers.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Space is a very humbling yet beautiful place."

The quote by Scott Kelly, "Space is a very humbling yet beautiful place," highlights the profound impact that space exploration can have on one's perspective. He suggests that the vastness of space instills a sense of humility, as it serves as a reminder of humanity's small place in the cosmos. At the same time, he emphasizes the inherent beauty found within this immense expanse, underscoring the awe and wonder that drives people to explore the unknown. This quote invites us to appreciate both the cosmic humility and aesthetic appeal of space exploration, inspiring us to continue our quest for knowledge about the universe and our place in it.

"When you're up in space and you're looking at the Earth, it just fills you with this overwhelming sense of gratitude and humility."

This quote by astronaut Scott Kelly signifies the profound impact of space travel on one's perspective. Observing Earth from space stirs feelings of deep appreciation and humility within the astronaut. It serves as a reminder that humanity is part of something much larger, a single planet within the vast cosmos, fostering an understanding of our shared existence and interdependence. This experience may encourage a shift in personal priorities and global outlook, emphasizing unity, cooperation, and respect for the fragile beauty of our home planet.

"It's amazing to see the border between space and the Earth. You understand how small we are, yet how important that little blue dot is."

This quote by astronaut Scott Kelly highlights the profound perspective gained from outer space. When one observes the boundary between space and Earth, it serves as a humbling reminder of our relative insignificance in the vast cosmos while simultaneously emphasizing the significance and importance of our home planet – that fragile, life-sustaining "little blue dot." It is a call to appreciate our role on this planet, fostering a sense of unity and responsibility among all humanity.

"Being in space really makes you appreciate our home planet more."

Scott Kelly's quote emphasizes a profound appreciation for Earth, cultivated by his experience in space. Being removed from Earth's physical presence allows him to better perceive its inherent beauty and value, underscoring the importance of preserving our home planet for future generations.

"Space isn't scary at all. It's beautiful and awe-inspiring. People should try to get the chance to see it for themselves."

The quote emphasizes that space is not something to be feared, but rather admired for its stunning beauty and awe-inspiring nature. Scott Kelly encourages people to aspire to experience this unique perspective of our planet and the universe, as it offers a profound understanding and appreciation for life on Earth.

I am humbled and excited by new opportunities for me to support and share the amazing work NASA is doing to help us travel farther into the solar system and work with the next generation of science and technology leaders.

- Scott Kelly

Doing, Next, Farther, New Opportunities

We would go in there with our parents once in a while for - actually go into Manhattan for dinner, weekends occasionally to a museum, but most of my memories of traveling into Manhattan was with the school trips and then later on as we got, you know, into high school, kind of on our own and with friends.

- Scott Kelly

Own, Weekends, While, Manhattan

I would say that as a government employee, I am subject to the Hatch Act.

- Scott Kelly

I Am, Government, Act, Employee

I went to the University of Maryland for a year and was considering maybe, you know, being a medical doctor but decided my other interest was maybe flying airplanes in the Navy and just kind of changed my mind and changed schools and changed majors and decided to focus a hundred percent on that.

- Scott Kelly

Medical, Other, Hundred, Considering

It's an international space station. We have crew members from both the U.S. and Russia and now the United Kingdom with Tim Peake from the U.K... It's great to see that, on this space station, that we can work across cultures in a very cooperative way.

- Scott Kelly

United, Very, Crew Members, Cooperative

When you look at the... atmosphere on the limb of the Earth, I wouldn't say it looks unhealthy, but it definitely looks very, very fragile and just kind of like this thin film, so it looks like something that we definitely need to take care of.

- Scott Kelly

Atmosphere, Very, Just Kind, Unhealthy

There are few aspects of everyday life that aren't touched by the technologies developed for space travel.

- Scott Kelly

Touched, Aspects, Developed, Space Travel

The Earth is a beautiful planet. The space station is a great vantage point to observe it and share our planet in pictures. It makes you more of an environmentalist.

- Scott Kelly

More, Planet, Space Station, Vantage Point

I don't think people have an appreciation for the work that it takes to pull these missions off, like humans living on the space station continuously for 15 years. It is a huge army of hard-working people to make it happen.

- Scott Kelly

Space, Years, Station, Continuously

Your arms don't hang by your side in space like they do on Earth because there is no gravity. It feels awkward to have them floating in front of me.

- Scott Kelly

Hang, Side, Feels, Floating

Sleeping here is harder here in space than on a bed because the sleep position here is the same position throughout the day. You don't ever get that sense of gratifying relaxation here that you do on Earth after a long day at work.

- Scott Kelly

Work, Bed, Here, Gratifying

This is a really big space station. We do a lot of various kinds of work here, different kinds of science experiments; we have over 400 different experiments going on at any one time in different areas, from basic science research to medical technology, that hopefully will benefit more people on Earth.

- Scott Kelly

Medical, Big, Here, Different Areas

There's a lot of work to do - not only the science but maintaining the facilities up here. When you go down from a crew of six to a crew of three, obviously you've lost half of your crew time available, so it does have an impact. But it's an impact we plan for.

- Scott Kelly

Here, Available, Half, Maintaining

Me, personally, I was a Mets and Giants fan.

- Scott Kelly

Fan, Mets, Personally, Giants

I'm actually thinking about maybe, on a spacewalk, not wearing my glasses. I normally wear those both for reading and a little bit of a distance correction, but the distance vision seems like it's gotten a little bit better. So I might go without.

- Scott Kelly

Distance, Maybe, Gotten, Normally

If we're going to go farther from Earth, to Mars or somewhere else someday, we have to have a good understanding of the psychological impact on people. And not only psychologically, but how it affects their cognition. We're doing a lot of research on my cognitive abilities.

- Scott Kelly

Doing, Psychological, Psychologically

The calluses on your feet in space will eventually fall off. So, the bottoms of your feet become very soft like newborn baby feet. But the top of my feet develop rough alligator skin because I use the top of my feet to get around here on space station when using foot rails.

- Scott Kelly

Feet, Here, Very, Rails

Something people don't recognize is that being on the space station is probably a lot like being in some kind of confinement - like isolation.

- Scott Kelly

Some, Like, Space Station, Confinement

A lot of the data we collect is stuff that has to be analyzed on the ground. For instance, we can't see, you know, bone loss. Our cells, you know, that's something that we'll have to notice with imaging technology when I get back.

- Scott Kelly

Data, Back, Instance, Analyzed

I feel more like an environmentalist since I've been up here. There are parts of the Earth that are covered with pollution all the time. I saw weather that was unexpected. Storms bigger than we've seen in the past. This is a human effect. This is not a natural phenomenon.

- Scott Kelly

Unexpected, Here, Been, Storms

There are parts of the Earth that are covered with pollution all the time. I saw weather that was unexpected. Storms bigger than we've seen in the past. This is a human effect. This is not a natural phenomenon.

- Scott Kelly

Natural, Bigger, In The Past, Storms

We do a lot of science on the space station. Over the course of the year, there'll be 400 to 500 different investigations in all different kinds of disciplines. Some are related to improving life on earth in material science, physics, combustion science, earth sciences, medicine.

- Scott Kelly

Year, Some, Different Kinds, Combustion

There are definitely parts of Asia, Central America that when you look at them from space, you're always looking through a haze of pollution. As far as the atmosphere is concerned, and being able to see the surface, you know, I would say definitely those areas that I mentioned look kind of sick.

- Scott Kelly

Through, Atmosphere, Haze

Leaving the space station was bittersweet - I had been there for a long time and looked forward to leaving, but it is a remarkable place.

- Scott Kelly

Been, Looked, Space Station, Bittersweet

The ride to orbit was impressive, as it always is. But once I got on board the space station, it really felt like I was visiting an old home; it felt very comfortable.

- Scott Kelly

Always, Very, Visiting, Board

We used to have a crew of three on board the space station and even at one time a crew of two people, so it's something we can adjust to.

- Scott Kelly

Two People, Space Station, Board

We have a lot of systems here on board the space station, and we can't call a repair man when one of them breaks.

- Scott Kelly

Repair, Here, Breaks, Board

A year is a long time to live without the human contact of loved ones, fresh air, and gravity, to name a few.

- Scott Kelly

Year, Air, Loved Ones, Fresh Air

I don't mean to say it's not fresh on the space station, but there's nothing like new, cold air coming into the capsule.

- Scott Kelly

New, Like, Space Station, Fresh

The workouts have positively impacted the astronauts' bones and muscles, and they are coming back in really good shape. But some are losing bone and muscle but not as much as we saw in the early days.

- Scott Kelly

Some, Early Days, Impacted, Good Shape

During my time in orbit, I lost bone mass, my muscles atrophied, and my blood redistributed itself in my body, which strained my heart. Every day, I was exposed to ten times the radiation of a person on Earth, which will increase my risk of a fatal cancer for the rest of my life.

- Scott Kelly

My Life, Every Day, Mass, Exposed

I personally think going to Mars, if it takes two years or two and a half years, that's doable. Certainly, the first people who go there, that's going to be a big motivator, being first getting to Mars.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Big, Certainly, Motivator

Space has its own unique smell. So whenever a vehicle docks, or if guys are out doing a spacewalk, the smell of space when you open up the hatch is very distinct. It's kind of like a burning-metal smell, if you can imagine what that would smell like.

- Scott Kelly

Doing, Own, Very, Open

I've flown in space four times now, so it's going to be hard in that respect, but I certainly look forward to going back to Earth. I've been up here for a really long time and sometimes, when I think about it, I feel like I've lived my whole life up here.

- Scott Kelly

Here, Been, I Think, Flown

I believe in exploration, and I will miss being on the front lines of that endeavor. On one hand, I look forward to going home, but it's something that's been a big part of my life, and I'm going to miss it.

- Scott Kelly

My Life, Big, Big Part, I Believe

Just like the bones and muscles, the heart is designed to work in one gravity here on Earth, so when you put the heart in space, it operates differently and changes shape.

- Scott Kelly

Here, Like, Shape, Designed

This year-in-space mission was a profound challenge for all involved, and it gave me a unique perspective and a lot of time to reflect on what my next step should be on our continued journey to help further our capabilities in space and on Earth.

- Scott Kelly

Space, Next, Our, Next Step

It's for us to take care of the air we breathe and the water we drink. And I do believe we have an impact on that, and we do have the ability to change it if we make the decision to.

- Scott Kelly

Change, Decision, Impact, Breathe

I am not a great sleeper. I don't think I have ever slept 8 hours straight in the last 20 years.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Hours, Last, Sleeper

It's a combination of science, maintenance, and general housekeeping. And then, occasionally, robotics activities or a spacewalk you might get to do.

- Scott Kelly

Robotics, Might, Then, Maintenance

As far as whether there is life there on Mars or whether there was actually ever life there, I don't know. It would be great to find out, though.

- Scott Kelly

Great, Mars, Though, As Far As

As far as the sounds on the space station, it's pumps, fans, motors, certain modules are louder than others, but it's generally a pretty nice working environment. It's not too loud or too smelly.

- Scott Kelly

Pretty, Loud, Louder, As Far As

We've got to get rid of the stuff on the space station somehow. So we do have a pretty significant capability to bring back stuff on SpaceX that you might not imagine.

- Scott Kelly

Pretty, Might, Imagine, Capability

We don't do laundry because that requires a lot of water, and water's at a premium up here. Plus, it'd be pretty complicated, I think, to make a space washer, although I guess you could do it. So we generally throw our clothes out. I think I've been wearing this pair of pants for about two months.

- Scott Kelly

Here, Been, I Think, Plus

We don't do laundry because that requires a lot of water, and water's at a premium up here. Plus, it'd be pretty complicated, I think, to make a space washer, although I guess you could do it.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Here, Pretty, Plus

My dad worked nights mostly and while we were growing up, and my mother also worked, so there were times where, when it was just the two of us at home, and, you know, they gave us a pretty long leash, actually.

- Scott Kelly

Mostly, Dad, While, Leash

If you go on a journey to Mars and get into deep space, there is several hundred times, maybe 300 times the radiation.

- Scott Kelly

Journey, Deep, Hundred, Radiation

People do really well on space missions, but it's the physiological, the medical stuff, the stuff like radiation, loss of bone mass and muscle mass and density. It's those things that we need to figure out.

- Scott Kelly

Medical, Figure, Density, Radiation

Flying in space is a privilege, whether it's the first time or the fourth time.

- Scott Kelly

Flying, First Time, Whether, Fourth

On this flight, my fourth spaceflight, I also became the record holder for total days in space and single longest mission.

- Scott Kelly

Flight, Longest, Became, Fourth

There's certainly a loss of connection with folks on the ground who I care for and love and I want to spend time with.

- Scott Kelly

Love, Want, Certainly, I Care

The space station here is a magical place and an incredible science facility.

- Scott Kelly

Science, Magical, Here, Space Station

We're fortunate to have football on the space station.

- Scott Kelly

Football, Station, Fortunate, Space Station

What we get from building a space station, the economic return, the science return, is very, very important to our nation, to our economy.

- Scott Kelly

Nation, Economy, Very, Space Station

I think a good life-work balance is important, and that's even more important in some cases on the space station.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Some, I Think, Space Station

I believe in the importance of flying in space and the research that we do.

- Scott Kelly

Flying, Believe, Importance, I Believe In

What we look for are people that are technically competent. You need a background in a scientific field, whether it's as a scientist, an engineer, medical doctor, or, you know, a person that's in the military with some kind of technical background.

- Scott Kelly

Medical, Some, Technical, Competent

It is a little bit surreal to know that you are in your own little spaceship, and a few inches from you is instant death.

- Scott Kelly

Death, Own, Surreal, Spaceship

My career with the Navy and NASA gave me an incredible chance to showcase public service to which I am dedicated, and what we can accomplish on the big challenges of our day.

- Scott Kelly

Big, Which, Dedicated, Showcase

Adjusting to space is easier than adjusting to Earth for me.

- Scott Kelly

Me, Earth, Than, Easier

I think anyone that's in the same building or the same place for a really long period of time, some parts of it become routine.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Some, Period, Parts

Now, space has its own unique smell. So whenever a vehicle docks, or if guys are out doing a spacewalk, the smell of space when you open up the hatch is very distinct. It's kind of like a burning-metal smell, if you can imagine what that would smell like.

- Scott Kelly

Doing, Own, Very, Vehicle

The thing I like most about flying in space is not the view. The thing I like about it is doing something I feel very, very strongly about.

- Scott Kelly

Doing, Like, Very, Flying

I would always consider flying in space again, without a question.

- Scott Kelly

Question, Always, Would, Flying

Going to Mars is a bunch of baby steps, and it started off with the first human in space, Yuri Gagarin.

- Scott Kelly

Baby, Going, Mars, Steps

I think what most people miss, and what I missed last time, are the people that are important in your life. You know, the relationships you have with people on the ground.

- Scott Kelly

Think, Last, I Think, Miss

When we do things that are really hard, we can achieve great things - and that has worked as a great model for me.

- Scott Kelly

Achieve, Things, Worked, Model

I'll never be done with space. I will always be involved.

- Scott Kelly

Never, Will, Always, Involved

The majority of astronauts have to change their eyeglasses while in space. They bring eyeglasses with them and typically change a few months into the mission.

- Scott Kelly

Change, Astronauts, Months, Majority

We had this incredible pass over the Himalayas, and to just see all of that pollution that's riding up against those mountains from the south is just really heartbreaking.

- Scott Kelly

Mountains, Over, Pass, Heartbreaking

The planet will get better; it's us that won't be here because we'll destroy the environment.

- Scott Kelly

Environment, Better, Here, Destroy

When I look at the clouds over the Earth, and I know how high clouds are, I get a sense we are really, really far above those clouds. I wouldn't call it scary, but I am aware I am in space.

- Scott Kelly

Clouds, Sense, Over, Scary

It seems like in the beginning of my flight, the space dreams were rare. And now, almost 150 days into it, the Earth dreams are more of the rare ones.

- Scott Kelly

Beginning, Flight, Like, Rare

The earth is a beautiful planet.

- Scott Kelly

Beautiful, Earth, Planet

By going to Mars one day, we will make things better for us here on Earth.

- Scott Kelly

Better, Here, Going, Mars

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