This is the second astronaut book I’ve read, after Samantha Cristoforetti’s Diary of an Apprentice Astronaut.
In academia, we put a lot of emphasis on balance. I felt that Hadfield’s writing serves to some degree as an explicit statement of the other side of that balance. He puts on paper the expectations others have of the kind of preparation he will do.
“Our staff are lifelong learners”.
Bruce Nuclear video.
He also emphasizes a sentiment that I’ve heard a lot. consider drudgery below you. Try to find some aspect of the drudgery that you can use to self-improvement.
I’m not sure how far or how seriously this sentiment should be taken. Surely some people find themselves in positions where they do.
He gives some examples of drudgery:
Astronauts have an unusual setup where the backup crew will act as personal assistants for the families of the other
Next in this series will probably be Riding Rockets.