What Is It Like to Be in Space?

First Name: Levi
First Letter of Last Name: S
Grade: 5
What is your favorite planet or star? Earth
What is your favorite rocket? Apollo
Question: How does it feel to be in space, and what is the largest nebula that has been discovered?

Thanks for your great question, Levi! Hey, we have the same favorite planet—earth! I really like our planet because it’s the only place in the whole universe that’s “just right” for us to inhabit and call home (Isaiah 45:18). In fact, the more we find and study other planets in the universe, the more we understand just how unique the earth is. It’s not designed by accident—it’s specially designed by God!

Apollo 16 view of earth, taken after translunar injection in 1972 (credit: NASA)

And it just so happens that we also have the same favorite rocket—the Saturn V—which took the Apollo astronauts to the moon. By the way, speaking of Apollo, I recently had the great honor and privilege of meeting one of these brave men who walked on the moon—Charlie Duke! He was the Apollo 16 lunar module pilot in 1972 and was the tenth and youngest person to walk on the moon. But most importantly, he’s a Christian (a child of God) who loves Jesus and has committed his life to serving our Lord.1 Here’s a photo of him, me, and Dr. Danny Faulker (our resident astronomer) that we took while at the Creation Museum.

(from left to right: Danny Faulker, Charlie Duke, and me)

Okay, now to your (two-part) question. Let’s start with the first part: How does it feel to be in space? This is a great question—and one I’ve often wondered myself! While I’ve personally never been to space, I’ve heard from astronauts who’ve been to the International Space Station (ISS) describe it as a very unique and incredible experience as they float around inside—and outside—the station.2 Since the onboard astronauts are in a constant “free fall” as they orbit the earth, they experience weightlessness that allows them to do things like backflips, float from one side to another, and even sleep in a sleeping bag standing up!

NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore “floating” in the ISS (credit: NASA)

But of course, being in space is not all fun and games—it’s often very challenging! That’s because our bodies were specially designed by God to live on earth. In space, astronauts experience a weightless (“microgravity”) environment, which causes their bones and muscles to weaken over time since they no longer need to fight the pull of gravity. So to help maintain their strength and prevent bone loss, they have to exercise for around two or three hours each day while in space.

NASA astronaut Garrett Reisman using a resistive exercise device (credit: NASA)

On top of that, astronauts on the ISS have to be careful even when drinking water and eating food—since it can float away from them! And in case you’re wondering how this food and other supplies make it to the ISS, it’s made possible by commercial resupply missions conducted by spacecraft such as Cygnus (a pressurized cargo module). In fact, during my rocket science career, I was directly involved with several of these missions, providing basic supplies, science equipment, and even Thanksgiving meals! To learn more, check out my previous blog post on this topic.

ISS crew members enjoying “Friday night pizza” (credit: NASA)

But the best thing I often hear from astronauts is just how amazing, beautiful, and breathtaking it is to actually see earth from space. Here are some really cool pictures, taken by NASA astronaut Barry (“Butch”) Wilmore,3 showing just a taste of the beauty that these astronauts get to experience while on the ISS (which is at an average altitude of about 250 miles).

By the way, as a Christian, Butch credits God’s grace for the tremendous opportunity of becoming an astronaut:

Most kids growing up mention the idea [of becoming an astronaut] once or twice, but nothing ever comes of it. But here I am, and I’ve had the chance to experience leaving the planet. . . . I believe in God’s sovereign plan and purpose, and it’s humbling he allows me to have this opportunity.4

And so I’m sure Butch would agree with me that when I look at these photos from space, it reminds me of what God says in Isaiah 45:18:

For thus says the Lord, who created the heavens (he is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!): I am the Lord, and there is no other.

But at the same time, we don’t have to go to space in order to experience and know our awesome God and his creation. Butch puts it this way:

The Bible is true, and we can believe creation because of this fact alone. . . . Often, I’m asked if I had a spiritual experience in space. . . . The answer is always no. I didn’t have to go to space to know my Lord is the true Creator and everything in my life.5

Now to the second part of your question: What is the largest nebula that has been discovered? Currently, the largest known nebula is called the Tarantula Nebula (also known as 30 Doradus). And in case you’re wondering, it gets its name because it’s shaped somewhat like a hairy tarantula-like spider with outstretched wispy “legs” of gas and dust. Found in the Large Magellanic Cloud, which is a small galaxy that orbits the Milky Way (our galaxy), this nebula is a giant cloud of ionized hydrogen gas and dust that stretches over 1,800 light-years—that’s over 10,000,000,000,000,000 miles. Talk about a really big number!

Image of the Tarantula Nebula, taken by James Webb Space Telescope (credit: NASA)

These types of gigantic nebulae always remind me of just how incredibly powerful and creative our God is, as his Word says in Psalm 19:1: “The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims his handiwork.” In fact, every nebula, planet, star, quasar, galaxy—everything in the heavens—points to our Creator and brings glory to him. So let’s continue to praise our almighty God, and more importantly, always remember that the same God who made the humongous Tarantula Nebula also loves and cares for us.

When I look at your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is man that you are mindful of him, and the son of man that you care for him? (Psalm 8:3–4)

And here’s the best part: This same God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, down to only one planet in the universe—earth—to live the perfect life on our behalf, die on a cross, and rise from the grave so that we can have eternal life with him. Now that’s even more mind-bogglingly amazing than the biggest nebula in the universe!