Md. Astronaut Reid Wiseman Is Back From Space
HOUSTON, Tx. (WJZ) ---Maryland's own Reid Wiseman is adjusting to life back on Earth.
He returned from the ISS just over a week ago.
Linh Bui checked in with the astronaut Tuesday, who shared his remarkable experience from NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston.
Wiseman said he's feeling fantastic and that he was actually up and walking within a couple of minutes of landing.
WJZ has been following Wiseman's fun and adventures closely, showing his space walks live and several interviews from ISS.
"I prefer having the microphone that can just float in front of me," Wiseman said. "It's a lot more fun."
Wiseman sits down to discuss his out-of-world experience.
Bui: Take us back to that journey back to Earth. Getting in that spacecraft. Parachuting down. What was that like?
Wiseman: That was completely crazy. That was definitely the best roller coaster ride I've ever been on. Once the parachute comes out, you feel safe but it's a huge jolt. You're really swinging around under there and then we parachuted down to a little bit of snow in Kazahkstan and I'll tell you. There is nothing finer than when they open that hatch and you smell earth and you feel that cold air come through. It was just a great moment. I was a little wobbly at first. it feels like you have a pretty heavy head the first few days. When you lean over, you almost feel like you want to tip over, but the body just fixes all that stuff really quick.
The hometown hero is now a social media star.
Bui: The public was so interested in your flight and your journey, especially because of social media. How did that feel?
Wiseman: it just menas that people really are still interested in space flight and it still captures the imagination. And when you see that kind of support, it just kind of makes you feel good. Not for yourself, but it just makes you feel good for your country and really for our entire program here. It really is refreshing."
Of course, Wiseman says the best moment was finally seeing his family and hugging his kids.
That reunion is something he'll never forget. The Dulaney High School grad now calls Houston home, but he says he's making plans to visit Maryland.
