Watching those breathtaking photos of our blue planet from the far side of the lunar orbit makes you realize how fragile and precious life is. We are finally pushing the boundaries of human presence in deep space again, testing the critical life-support systems that will eventually pave the way for a permanent base. It is a monumental feat of engineering and courage. Yet, I can’t help but find a strange irony in the situation. Here we are, billions of dollars invested, hurtling through the vacuum of space at thousands of miles per hour, and the crew is currently occupied with trying to fix a broken toilet. It’s a grounding reminder that no matter how high we aim for the stars, we are still tethered to our basic human needs. Progress. #science #culture