What do Longhorns eat for breakfast in outer space?
The same thing as when we’re in Austin — breakfast tacos.
NASA Astronaut Tim Kopra is back on Earth after spending nearly 200 days in space. During his time on the International Space Station, Kopra wasn’t just conducting experiments and soaking in stunning scenery — he also showed off his Longhorn pride and cooked up meals fit for a Texan.
Kopra, who is from Austin, is the son of longtime UT Austin communications professor Len Kopra. Tim Kopra launched into space in December and returned earlier this month after spending 186 days in orbit.
During his most recent trip to space, Tim Kopra served as the station commander and as a flight engineer. He took a break to talk with Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during a live Q&A session, and the space veteran shared scenes from the expedition on Twitter.
Take a look at what life on the International Space Station was like for this Longhorn:
He saw some breathtaking views of the world…
#GoodMorning from @Space_Station. #sunrise pic.twitter.com/DOafVprszw
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) June 12, 2016
#GoodNight #Haifa from @Space_Station. @Israel #Explore #CitiesFromSpace pic.twitter.com/UOcVrUDYtI
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) June 12, 2016
#Coral reefs off the coast of #Mozambique. @Space_Station #Explore pic.twitter.com/QpXX6q7nVq
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) June 9, 2016
…and of Texas.
Looking over #Texas , #Houston , and the Gulf of Mexico. @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/PEcrop8cAa
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) February 26, 2016
Angry storm clouds over #Texas and the Gulf of Mexico today — #weather is about perfect here. @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/I0jy389tfF
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) March 9, 2016
#Lightning over #Texas — we're watching the bad storms from @Space_Station. #weather pic.twitter.com/yQTRWEaNaZ
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) May 19, 2016
#Texas – view of @VisitElPasoTX with Franklin Mountain State Park @TPWDparks #UTEP and Fort Bliss @USArmy . #GoArmy pic.twitter.com/TeQgN2XRdJ
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) February 27, 2016
He helped with some serious experiments…
Thanks @ISS_Research for letting me set fires in space for the past month w/ BASS experiment @NASA . #Fire pic.twitter.com/hWmC3ghjOS
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) February 27, 2016
…and glovebox setup to burn flame retardant textiles. #Science to help keep people safe. https://t.co/pszmeomKMl pic.twitter.com/NjcDgPyDF7
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) January 28, 2016
Completed @ESA Airway Monitoring experiment with @astro_timpeake — in US Airlock at 10.2 psi. @ISS_Research pic.twitter.com/dZnv4XdDGf
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) February 26, 2016
…and had a little fun.
#BreakfastTaco: Mexican scrambled eggs, creamed spinach, pepperjack, onions, and salsa. Best one yet. @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/cT2mtMF8Rp
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) April 24, 2016
A little reminder of #home on @Space_Station. #Texas #Longhorns pic.twitter.com/BnzFcvqL5R
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) May 21, 2016
#Breakfast taco on #ISS: refried beans, shredded pork, pepperjack cheese, eggs, and salsa on a torilla. Awesome… pic.twitter.com/XsNh37Sfy7
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) April 16, 2016
Just watched the movie #Serenity with the crew on @Space_Station – pretty surreal to watch a space science fiction movie on a spaceship.
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) March 5, 2016
A little reminder of #home. #Texas @Texasgov @Space_Station pic.twitter.com/ADbOzG79HM
— Tim Kopra (@astro_tim) May 15, 2016
But Kopra isn’t the only Longhorn in space — when asked their occupation, 12 of our alumni reply “astronaut.”
From making a map of the universe to exploring it firsthand, Longhorns have a history of uncovering the mysteries of our solar system. They’ve helped discover “Earth 2.0,” lead NASA’s historic Pluto flyby and confirmed Einstein’s theory.
Take a look at some out-of-this-world ideas to come from UT Austin: From the Forty Acres to Pluto
