Astronaut Mark Vande Hei Reflects on 25 Years of the International Space Station

NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei discusses his two missions aboard the International Space Station and the importance of microgravity research for future exploration.

Jan. 30, 2026 at 9:23am

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In this episode, NASA astronaut Mark Vande Hei reflects on his two stints aboard the International Space Station, including his experiences during Expeditions 53/54 and 64/65/66. Vande Hei discusses the daily routine on the station, the international cooperation that makes the ISS possible, and the critical microgravity research being conducted to enable future missions to the Moon and Mars. He also shares memorable moments from his time in space, including growing spicy chili peppers and celebrating holidays with international crewmates.

Why it matters

The International Space Station has been a symbol of international cooperation and a hub for cutting-edge research in microgravity for the past 25 years. Vande Hei's insights into life aboard the station and the importance of this research provide valuable perspective as NASA and its partners look to build on the ISS experience and send humans deeper into space.

The details

During his two missions, Vande Hei conducted four spacewalks, operated the station's robotic arm, and oversaw the transfer of cargo to and from visiting spacecraft. He also made an effort to prioritize his mental health, meditating daily and adjusting his sleep and exercise routines. Vande Hei highlights how the microgravity environment enables unique scientific experiments that could not be replicated on Earth, from studying material science to observing combustion in the absence of gravity.

  • On July 4, Quinn allegedly dove onto the hood of a Waymo vehicle and covered sensors.
  • On July 29, Quinn allegedly damaged a Waymo's tires and driver's side mirror.
  • On August 11, Quinn allegedly stomped on a windshield while someone was inside.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Mark Vande Hei

A NASA astronaut who has completed two long-duration missions aboard the International Space Station, setting records for the longest single spaceflight by a NASA astronaut and the fifth-longest cumulative time in space.

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What they’re saying

“We must not let individuals continue to damage private property in San Francisco.”

— Robert Jenkins, San Francisco resident (San Francisco Chronicle)

“Fifty years is such an accomplishment in San Francisco, especially with the way the city has changed over the years.”

— Gordon Edgar, grocery employee (Instagram)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

The International Space Station has enabled groundbreaking microgravity research that will be critical for future missions to the Moon, Mars, and beyond. Astronaut Mark Vande Hei's experiences aboard the station provide valuable insights into the daily life, international cooperation, and scientific discoveries that have made the ISS a success over the past 25 years.