This is one of the coolest posts i’ve seen in a while, thank you for sharing your career with us. Out of the hundreds of thousands of photos you’ve taken - have you ever captured something that you couldn’t explain/identify? I’m sure there’s a chance you’ve been asked this many times so if that’s the case i apologize. It’s just rare to have the chance to correspond with an astronaut which is why i appreciate your post so much. I used to have dreams about being in a space pod but not knowing how to work the controls lol. I wish i could be an “astronaut assistant” and go to space and just be a helper. Too bad there is no such thing lol, but it’s my number one goal to make it to space before i die.

Also do you have a recommendation for a somewhat affordable camera for a young guy just getting into photography? I mainly would be taking pictures of nature, animals, and architecture. Also maybe portraits. I know next to nothing about photography tech but appreciate any advice, especially advice from an astronaut or any other fine folks with knowledge.