Episode Overview

Podcast: Pablo Torre Finds Out
Host: Pablo Torre
Guest: Terry Virts (Former NASA Astronaut, ISS Commander)
Episode: Meet the Astronaut Who (Also) Got Stuck in Space
Release Date: September 24, 2024

This episode centers on astronaut Terry Virts, a former commander of the International Space Station (ISS), as he shares firsthand experiences about what it’s really like to be “stranded in space”—a situation currently facing two NASA astronauts stuck on the ISS due to technical failures of the Boeing Starliner. Pablo uses Terry’s story—and humor—to bring listeners into the reality of space life, the psychological hurdles, international cooperation, and the daily routines that make up months in orbit.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Introduction: Why “Stuck in Space” Matters

• Pablo introduces Terry Virts—a baseball-dad and astronaut reluctant to boast about his sci-fi job—and places today’s Starliner crew drama in historical context.
• The podcast is motivated by a recent (2024) Starliner technical failure forcing two astronauts to remain in orbit for months rather than days.
  • “It was supposed to be an eight-day mission, but problems with the Boeing Starliner mean... now [they] spend around eight months in orbit.” (01:55, Pablo)

Terry Virts’ Own Experience Being Stranded (07:27–09:38)

• In 2015, Terry’s ISS mission was unexpectedly extended by a month due to the destruction of several cargo ships.
  • Three different cargo ships blew up (NASA’s Cygnus, Russia’s Progress, SpaceX’s Dragon), stranding him and his crew with limited supplies.
  • "So they basically said hey, you’re stuck in space, we don’t know for how long. And oh by the way, you’re low on supplies because we’ve had two of your cargo ships blow up.” (07:53, Terry)
• His reaction: Lean into the experience and make the best of “bonus time” in space.
  • "Let's just enjoy it. I got the rest of my life on Earth. Let's just enjoy it.” (08:43, Terry)
• But—families on Earth suffer more from the uncertainty and delays than the astronauts themselves.

Stranded Astronauts: Life & Logistics (09:38–13:22)

• Pablo inquires about the current emotional state of the stranded astronauts; Terry empathizes but notes this much delay is rare.
• Perks and compensation are underwhelming:
  • NASA astronauts receive a mere $5/day per diem when in space ("I literally got a check for $1,000." (11:55, Terry)).
  • European and Russian astronauts get vastly more—sometimes $1,000/day.
  • “My Russian… he was getting a thousand bucks a day. So it’s an interesting, interesting difference.” (12:52, Terry)

The ISS: Diplomacy and Design (13:22–19:59)

• The ISS is the longest continuous human presence in space (since November 2000).
  • It was created to foster US-Russia/EU/Japan/Canada relations post-Cold War, keeping Russian scientists employed.
• The space station is essentially two segments (US and Russian), with different design philosophies.
  • "The Russian segment has this really cool window… It looks like it's the Soviet Union in the 1970s." (19:02, Terry)
• Everything is modular, with modules about the size of a school bus.

The Cupola: Best Seat in Orbit (19:59–23:45)

• The Cupola, with its panoramic windows, is where astronauts flock for Earth viewing.
  • Terry helped finish its assembly and filmed the IMAX movie A Beautiful Planet from it.
  • "My logo… that’s the cupola. That’s kind of the view of Earth out of the cupola.” (20:17, Terry)
• Memorable moments include auroras, super typhoons, and nighttime city lights—visuals that reveal humanity’s wealth and inequalities.
  • “At nighttime what you’re seeing is not population… you’re seeing wealth.” (24:17, Terry)
  • “North Korea is just a black hole. It’s a complete disaster.” (25:11, Terry)

What Floating Feels Like & Daily Life (25:41–31:54)

• The “zero gravity” sensation is actually perpetual falling.
  • "What it feels like: it’s not zero G… it feels like you're falling, because you're falling." (25:54, Terry)
• Extraterrestrial life? Terry is skeptical of UFO stories but acknowledges the vastness of space makes life elsewhere plausible—just not anywhere nearby. (27:32–29:04)
• Daily powers and comforts:
  • The ISS commander sets the module temperature—and that’s about it.
  • Velcro and drink bags are crucial; astronauts still drink Tang.

Food: Fact vs. Myth (31:04–33:11)

• American and Russian crew have different food cultures; Terry often ordered Russian food.
  • “I love borscht. They do the best mashed potatoes. Fish… comes in these little cat food tin cans… not the most appealing thing, but it tastes really good.” (32:01, Terry)
• Astronaut ice cream is more of an Earthbound novelty; his “real” space ice cream was stored in lab freezers.

Surviving for Months: Supplies & Exercise (33:11–35:38)

• Consumables (oxygen, food, propellant) are tightly tracked; as of now, the ISS reserves just four months of food to save space.
• Shoes are crucial: astronauts must exercise 2+ hours/day to prevent bone/muscle loss.
  • “After a couple years, you would be a jellyfish. Like, you wouldn’t be able to come back to Earth. The gravity would kill you." (34:39, Terry)
• Vitamin D, through supplements, is necessary due to lack of sunlight exposure.

Bodily Functions, Humor, & Taboo Questions (Bathroom, Sex) (35:38–37:14)

• Going to the bathroom: airflow fans and hoses replace gravity.
  • ”So there’s a hose for number one and a can for number two... you don’t want to miss your target.” (35:49, Terry)
• Sex in space? Terry simply says:
  • “It was a long 200 days for me. I don’t know about anybody else...” (37:14, Terry)
    (Delivered with a wry laugh)

Sensory Life in Orbit: The Sound of Home (38:16–40:34)

• Isolation is profound; Russian crewmates pipe in rainforest, rain, or “café” sounds to fight homesickness.
  • “The Russians had sent up sounds from Earth... I would go in bed, put my headsets on and listen to rain. It was amazing… that month I was dreaming about Earth.” (38:16, Terry)
• Space dreams are black, endless, and empty—unless grounded by earthly sounds.
• Film and music (Hans Zimmer’s Interstellar soundtrack) become emotional anchors.

Connection to Earth: Email, Calls, the “Perfect” Phone System (40:34–41:59)

• Now, astronauts can WhatsApp the surface; during Terry’s time, it was mostly email and phone calls via satellite.
  • The system only allows astronauts to initiate calls, conveniently cutting out farewells as the ISS loops out of coverage.
• Terry avoided full internet access, relishing the disconnection.

Living with Risk, Psychological Demands, & Return to Earth (42:23–47:27)

• Every ISS decision has life-or-death consequences; the environment is inherently dangerous.
• Astronauts must compartmentalize anxiety (a lesson from fighter pilot days).
  • “There’s always danger there and your mentality has to be… you just don’t think about it.” (42:46, Terry)
• The psychological aspect is the most important selector for NASA astronauts.
  • “The psychological aspect is probably the most important.” (44:33, Terry)
• Terry’s own de-orbit: after returning, he compartmentalized his space life, jumping right back to normalcy (e.g., car shopping with his son the day after landing).
• Does he miss space? A little, but the pull of Earth—and its food—wins.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On being stranded:
  “So they basically said hey, you’re stuck in space, we don’t know for how long. And oh by the way, you’re low on supplies...” (07:53, Terry)
• On pay:
  “When you’re in space … NASA pays you $5 a day, and it’s tax deductible.” (11:55, Terry)
• On viewing Earth at night:
  “At nighttime… what you’re seeing is not population… you’re seeing wealth.” (24:17, Terry)
• On alien visits:
  “If I could fly across the galaxy, I’d probably be able to land... they all crash when they get here, right?” (28:36, Terry)
• On leadership perks:
  “You get… the most important power—you get to set the temperature.” (29:30, Terry)
• On bathroom logistics:
  “The basic thing… in space you don’t have gravity, so you have airflow. The air makes sure everything goes in the right direction.” (35:49, Terry)
• On dreams in space:
  “I was dreaming about the blackness of space and no dreams, but... I listened to rain, my brain started dreaming about green fields and blue skies.” (39:15, Terry)
• On risk:
  “You really have to have a personality that doesn’t obsess about that because you couldn’t survive for six months.” (42:46, Terry)

Timestamps for Major Segments

• 01:11 — Meet Terry Virts, reluctant astronaut dad
• 03:02 — Terry as ISS Commander, context for the Starliner crew
• 07:27 — Terry gets stranded on the ISS in 2015
• 11:11 — Astronaut pay, compensation and national variations
• 13:22 — The ISS: History, diplomacy, long-term habitation
• 19:59 — Description of ISS structure, modules, the cupola, filming IMAX
• 22:44 — Best views of Earth: auroras, typhoons, city lights
• 25:41 — What zero gravity “feels” like
• 27:32 — Extraterrestrial life: skepticism and science
• 29:30 — ISS commander perks (temperature setting), essential Velcro
• 31:04 — Astronaut food: truth vs. myth; Russian borscht and cat food cans
• 33:24 — ISS supplies, what runs short (shoes, food), the importance of exercise
• 35:38 — Bathrooms and the realness of bodily functions
• 37:14 — Sex in space: the on-record answer
• 38:16 — Auditory life in space: sounds of home, dreams, and Hans Zimmer
• 40:34 — How ISS crews stay connected to Earth: email, calls, and limited internet
• 42:46 — The ever-present risk of space life and the need for compartmentalization
• 44:33 — Psychology: The most crucial astronaut trait
• 45:34 — Coming home: Terry’s return to “normal” life
• 47:08 — Would he go back? Only to make a movie

Final Thoughts

Terry Virts’ humor, candor, and exuberant storytelling turn the harrowing anxiety of being “stuck in space” into an exploration of human adaptability—how astronauts cope with danger, monotony, and homesickness with grace, teamwork, and a touch of Velcro. The ISS emerges not just as a technical marvel but as a floating microcosm of diplomacy, ingenuity, and survival—all illuminated by the poetic, psychedelic awe of looking down on the fragile, glowing Earth.

End note:
“There’s a whole lot to do down here on Earth.” (48:01, Pablo & Terry)