As the Fourth of July approaches, many people around the world may be away from home, traveling or celebrating with loved ones. However, a group of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS) has sent a special message to those on the ground, reminding them of the significance of the holiday and the freedoms it represents.
The ISS is currently home to nine crew members, including six NASA astronauts and three Russian cosmonauts. The NASA astronauts, who are Mike Barratt, Matt Dominick, Tracy C. Dyson, Jeanette Epps, Butch Wilmore, and Suni Williams, came together to record a video message on June 28. The message is a heartfelt and poignant reminder of the importance of the holiday.
“For me, the Fourth of July is just a reminder of the fortitude that it took for our forefathers and their families to not only have the will to fight for our freedom, but also the courage to do so,” said Dyson in the message. “The Fourth of July always reminds me of the freedoms that we continue to fight for every day all over the world,” added Epps.
The tradition of ISS astronauts celebrating holidays with video messages and playful outfits and events has become a cherished ritual over the years. Previous years have seen astronauts don red, white, and blue outfits or stars and stripes items, and even craft an American flag cookie in space.
Astronauts on International Space Station Send Heartfelt Fourth of July Message
For some of the astronauts currently on the ISS, like Barratt and Dyson, this is their second July 4th spent on the station. The large crew at the moment is partly due to the presence of Wilmore and Williams, who arrived at the station on the first crewed test flight of the Boeing Starliner. They were due to depart last month, but issues with helium leaks on the spacecraft have meant they will be staying in space a while longer while further investigation is performed.
The ISS crew typically fluctuates between 3 and 12 people, depending on which spacecraft are coming and going from the station, and often includes astronauts from Europe and Japan, as well as the U.S. and Russia. The ISS is located in low-Earth orbit, approximately 250 miles above the planet’s surface.
The video message sent by the ISS astronauts is a reminder of the special bond that exists between those on the station and those on the ground. It is also a testament to the courage and dedication of the astronauts who are currently living and working in space.
As the Fourth of July is celebrated across the United States, the message from the ISS astronauts provides a unique and special perspective on the holiday. It is a reminder that even as people are celebrating with loved ones and enjoying the freedoms that the holiday represents, there are those who are working tirelessly to ensure that those freedoms are protected and preserved.
The message from the ISS astronauts is a heartfelt and poignant reminder of the importance of the Fourth of July, and it is a testament to the special bond that exists between those on the station and those on the ground.
