February 28, 2025 2:46pm EST
Third day post flight. I delivered presentations to three primary classes at a local school who watched my flight during their school day. “Cool!” the kids exclaimed. I could get used to my new gig as a space ambassador, one who was actually flung into space, took a look around and then was sucked back to Earth. I am pretty sure a few of the children are now set on going to space. Mission accomplished.
My brain is doing batch data processing. Visions of space periodically flash before my eyes. Visions of a place I actually saw. Flashbacks of the ascent and descent are recalled over and over. The immensity of my journey begins to sink in as I allow the adrenalin to wear off. I have delayed all work, all commitments, and locked down the house to visitors. Interaction with the outside world is minimized. I haven’t even watched the webcast playback. Preservation of my own unique memory is paramount right now. Watching how others saw my flight is not what I want to do.