On Monday, President Donald Trump spoke to astronauts aboard the International Space Station via video conference while he was in the Oval Office. With his daughter, Ivanka, and astronaut Kate Rubins by his side, Trump spoke to Commander Peggy Whitson and Air Force Colonel Jack Fischer as they experienced zero gravity in space.
The entire video conference lasted about 20 minutes and was filled with informative information about the experiments the astronauts were working on during their mission. While the whole conversation was filled with exciting information, one moment, courtesy of Commander Whitson, stole the show.
Speaking about the potential of sending humans to Mars for multiyear missions, Commander Whitson explained how closing the life support system is essential for supplying humans with what they need to survive. After explaining one of the ways astronauts on the International Space Station create water, Commander Whitson told the President of an alternative solution to drinkable water that make everyone in the Oval Office laugh.
“For instance, on a multiyear Mars mission, we’re going to need to be able to close the life support system, and that means we, right now, for instance, are taking solar power that we collect, and using it to break apart water into oxygen and hydrogen,” Commander Whitson said. “The oxygen, we breathe, of course. We use the hydrogen, combine it back with the CO2 that we take out of the air, and make more water.”
“But water is such a precious resource up here that we also are cleaning up our urine and making it drinkable,” she continued. “And it’s really not as bad as it sounds.”
Commander Whitson’s statements make Kate Rubins, Ivanka and the President all laugh. Trump then responded.
“Well, that’s good. I’m glad to hear that,” Trump said. “Better you than me.”
You can watch the hilarious exchange and check out President Donald Trump’s reaction below:
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