> Tech Space Station Commander Sunita Williams is getting ready for her return from space, currently training in the SpaceX Dragon spacecraft. In preparation for her planned February 2025 return, Williams is also carrying out crucial maintenance on a US spacesuit for a scheduled spacewalk. After completing the suit checks, she teamed up with NASA Flight Engineer Butch Wilmore to conduct eye exams using the Ultrasound 2 device. The astronauts alternated scanning each other's eyes while ground-based doctors monitored the health of their corneas, lenses, and optic nerves in real-time.Wilmore also transferred cargo between the Kibo and Columbus laboratory modules and installed air quality sensors inside the Quest module. On Tuesday, the Exp 72 crew prepped for a spacewalk, conducted eye exams, and studied micro-algae as a way to remove carbon dioxide, produce oxygen, and grow food in space. https://t.co/XvMIbrDczU — International Space Station (@Space_Station) December 10, 2024 ALSO SEE: Google’s Gemini 2.0 Unveiled: Twice as Fast, Packed with New AI Features The crew's activities are essential for maintaining equipment and living conditions in space. Flight Engineer Nick Hague researched micro-algae for potential use in removing carbon dioxide, producing oxygen, and growing food on spacecraft. He processed sample containers for the BioLab to study how microgravity and radiation affect micro-algae. Hague, also the commander of SpaceX Crew-9, joined his crewmates for departure training in the Dragon spacecraft, preparing for their return to Earth in spring. Sunita Williams recently engaged students at Sunita Williams Elementary School in Needham, Massachusetts, with a virtual session about life aboard the International Space Station, including a demonstration of how astronauts drink fluids in space. Robotic tentacles, antibiotic resistant microbes, and space agriculture topped the research schedule aboard the International Space Station at the end of the week. The Expedition 72 crew members are also preparing for a spacewalk and continuing maintenance on the orbital outpost.… pic.twitter.com/Ag99jgnOfK — International Space Station (@Space_Station) December 6, 2024 In zero-gravity environment, conventional drinking methods don’t work, as liquids float out in droplets rather than flowing from cups. The solution is using special pouches that astronauts can squeeze to control the liquid. These pouches feature straws and sealed openings to prevent leaks and avoid any mess while drinking. Williams humorously noted that drinking in space is surprisingly tricky and requires careful thought. She said, “I never thought something as simple as drinking could be so tricky, but in space, we have to think about everything!" The virtual event was more than just a technical demonstration; it provided students with the rare opportunity to interact with an astronaut, ask questions about space, travel, and life aboard the ISS, sparking curiosity that could shape future career aspirations.