Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield is one of the universe’s better-known space personalities, thanks to his version of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” and its corresponding viral video, recorded while floating weightless with a guitar on the International Space Station.
Likewise, Hadfield is a social-media maven, tweeting photos from space, hosting online Q&A sessions, posting videos about his work and traveling the world as a keynote speaker. In his interviews, he expresses a sentiment, similar to that of other astronauts, that life is precious. If NASA had a Chris Hadfield, there might not be so many budget cuts (or there would at least be more outrage at the current ones).
When he’s back upon terra firma, Hadfield is a regular at speaking engagements, answering questions about everyday life in space. (How do you go to the bathroom without gravity? How do you sleep in space? What does space smell like?) Though he often waxes philosophical, possibly his most interesting comment was about his facial hair: he trims his awesome pushbroom mustache with scissors and a vacuum cleaner. Now that’s dedication to the ‘stache.
Chris Hadfield reads from his new book An Astronaut’s Guide to Life on Earth on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Book Passage. 51 Tamal Vista Blvd., Corte Madera. 4pm. Free. 415.927.0960.
