There is a lot going on right now on the @Space_Station, but fortunately we are all safe and witnessed a spectacular southern aurora show yesterday thanks to a recent solar event.

Strong bones! Many of you asked for more about the bone strength study in my recent post. The area on my shin was numbed with lidocaine and the investigator used this instrument to penetrate to the bone surface and get a reading of the material strength of my tibia. Thanks to rd the @Space_Station, my tibia was actually stronger than it was pre-flight!

Space skate! A tribute to the raddest skaters I know down on planet Earth. This one is for my brother (and all skating members of the posse), my husband and our little ripper daughter, and all the inspired shredders. Hey @tonyhawk, what trick would you try up here?

Space Toilet! One of the questions we are asked most as astronauts is how we go to the bathroom in space. The answer is “Carefully”! Welcome aboard the @Space_Station WHC (Waste Hygiene Compartment) - our beloved Space Toilet! Here’s how it works.

What stays with you after a journey beyond Earth? 🌎

Following their postflight news conference, we caught up with some of @NASA’s @SpaceX Crew-12 astronauts to reflect on the moments from their time in space that will stay with them forever. Hear the memories behind the mission.

Join us on the @Space_Station for a space ride!

Yesterday’s bone density scans. This DEXA (Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry) machine uses low dose X-rays to measure bone density and body composition. Without the loading signal of gravity, our bones will leach calcium in space, which can lead to significant losses in bone is so important for us to exercise in space. Thanks to lots of weight lifting on the @Space_Station, the preliminary results show that the bone density in my spine actually increased in space!

When our @NASAArtemis missions land on the Moon, we need to be ready to take manual control for a successful landing.  For the Manual Piloting study, I flew this landing simulator before and immediately after spaceflight to assess if any changes associated with cognitive function performance.  Thankfully, I was able to land successfully even just two hours after we splashed down!

First week back on Earth, a brief recap. Busy times with science, medical tests, physical training and of course a very joyous family reunion. Missing weightlessness, but loving Earth!

Another peek at our return to Earth last week, just after our capsule splashed down and we exited the helicopter. I was able to walk and even navigate some obstacles. Things got a bit trickier when the scientists challenged me to close my eyes and try a heel/toe walk (like a y test) as you saw in the previous post (but that can be tricky for anyone, try it!). We still remember how to walk when we return to Earth, but our balance and stability can be challenged as our neurovestibular system readjusts to gravity. Although everyone’s recovery is different, it comes back quickly. From floating to walking in a few hours is a crazy transition, but it got even easier when I got back to Houston and was supported by my daughter’s hand!

Yesterday’s science. Started the morning with a blood draw to analyze what has changed in my body from our time on the @Space_Station (17 tubes! 16 shown here), while wearing a temperature monitor (the stylish headband) for 36 hours, followed by a study to understand what happens ir control while in space. Gravity is still feeling overrated, but I’m happy to contribute to this important science!

Ain’t nothing gonna break my stride (except for maybe gravity!). Here’s a peek into our first @Space_Station post-flight data collection session, immediately after landing in the helicopter after our @SpaceX Dragon splashdown last Thursday. The heel toe walk with eyes open was off my balance game once they had me repeat with eyes closed (shown here). Exponentially better performance even just the next day, such an interesting recovery process! Stay tuned for the week’s recap of science and rehabilitation.

Earth.

LIVE: The members of Crew-12 are inside their spacecraft and ready to head back to Earth. Watch as they undock from the @Space_Station around 8:05am ET (1205 UTC) and begin their trip home. x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

LIVE: After nearly eight months aboard the @Space_Station, it’s time for Crew-12 to come home. Tune in as the spacecraft hatch closes around 6:20am ET (1020 UTC). x.com/i/broadcasts/1…

Departure moment - early morning prep for undocking. Hair braids.

Crew-12 is preparing for departure this morning with a 4 AM wake up time and a careful eye on the weather reports that will determine whether or not they can undock. Captain Jack Hathaway shares his morning prep.

Our microgravity indicator consists of four satellites orbiting a crocheted Earth, all hand-made elements by Jack’s daughter and my childhood best friend. Each crew member selected a personal symbol or “satellite.” A tether links each satellite to the Earth, representing our ies, friends, and our one shared home. We’ll see this indicator drop as we re-enter Earth’s gravity tomorrow.
 
I chose a panda holding a mushroom, two adorable symbols of environmental importance and cultural fascination. Pandas are modern icons of species preservation and international diplomacy, and a pivotal character in my childhood. Mushrooms, or fungi, are the great decomposers, with all life on earth depending on them to keep our soils healthy and food webs functioning.
 
Jack chose a moon that his daughter hand-crocheted. Each color woven into the design represents a member of their family or a cherished shared activity. By bringing this piece with him, he keeps their bond close, allowing Jack to re-live happy memories while looking forward to the ones they’ll create when he returns.
 
Sophie chose a banana. Bananas are the world’s most common fruit, ordinary fruit shared by billions of people across every continent. Yet on orbit fresh fruit is rare. She wanted with us a playful reminder of kitchens and home—a familiar piece of Earth drifting weightless with us.
 
Andrey chose this thing, because it reminds me of an old space soviet movie. He would invite everyone to try to guess what this is.

And we present to you, Planet Gaia and her moons, floating here in Crew-12’s Dragon!

Four Expedition 75 crew members are in their final full day aboard the space station as they prepare to undock aboard a @SpaceX Dragon spacecraft at 8:05 a.m. EDT on Wednesday. More... go.nasa.gov/4i7j3GM

.@NASA will stream Wednesday's undocking and Thursday's return to Earth of four @SpaceX Crew-12 members. More... go.nasa.gov/4s8iyjv

• Undocking – 8:05 a.m. EDT Wednesday, Oct. 7
• Splashdown – 11:34 a.m. Thursday, Oct. 8

Human reflections in the cupola.