Andrew “Drew” Feustel: Czechs have made strong contributions to space science
On Monday, former US astronaut Andrew “Drew” Feustel was a special guest at Prague’s Planetarium as part of Czech Space Week. Feustel, whose wife Indira Feustel has Czech roots, famously took a Krtek (Little Mole) toy with him on two space flights, and enjoys close ties with this country. Both Drew and Indira Feustel were interviewed live on stage at the Planetarium in Prague by Czech Radio host Libor Bouček.
In this fascinating and broad-ranging talk, Drew Feustel reflects on his career, from his childhood fascination with science fiction to becoming an astronaut, repairing the Hubble Space Telescope and spending 197 days aboard the International Space Station. The ex-astronaut describes the extraordinary silence and beauty of spacewalks, the intense preparation required and the risks involved in human spaceflight. He also compares the Space Shuttle and Soyuz spacecraft, and explains how astronauts adapt physically to long missions.
For her part, Indira Feustel offers the family perspective, discussing the sacrifices involved in supporting an astronaut's career, raising their children during missions and adjusting to her husband's return to Earth. Both emphasise the unique human qualities that robots cannot replace: empathy, emotion and the ability to share inspiring personal experiences.
The Feustels also praise Czechia's scientific heritage and enthusiasm for space, particularly the planned mission of Czech astronaut Aleš Svoboda next year. They argue that its value extends far beyond financial returns, inspiring young people and strengthening national ambitions in science and technology.
Looking ahead, Drew Feustel discusses commercial space stations, future lunar infrastructure and the possibility of humans reaching Mars within their lifetimes.
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