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HOUSTON -- Imagine hanging by your heels at the end of monster-sized robotic arm that can bend and twist in seven different directions.
For most, this zero-gravity experience might sound like a nailbiter or even a nightmare, but for Canadian astronaut Dave Williams, it's a dream come true.
This summer, the 53-year-old Saskatchewan native will join an elite group of "spacewalkers." After shuttling off to the International Space Station, he will venture outside on three separate walks.
He's expecting a "spectacular" view.
"The only thing that hold us in place is our heels, and we turn our heels outwards with our toes turned in. That kind of locks our feet at the end of the arm," he said. "I will simply turn my heels out, lay back and look at the tremendous view of the world."
Yesterday, Williams used virtual reality to rehearse the meticulous steps he will take. Strapped up with an elaborate maze of sophisticated sensors, he practised his manoeuvres by communicating with other crew members in a special laboratory at NASA's Johnson Space Center.
Williams was training for his second spacewalk, an adventurous 6.5-hour repair job where he will attach himself to the Canadarm2 and replace a broken gyroscope. When fully extended, the Canadian-built mobile servicing system measures 7.6 metres and features seven motorized joints.
Williams said the ISS couldn't function without this wonder of Canadian technology, and boasted that it stakes out Canada's place as "one of the major space- faring nations of the world."
Williams also practised his "post-insertion and de-orbit moves," those critical periods after lift-off and before landing when astronauts must prepare their suits, equipment and computer systems when time is of the essence. Squeezing inside a full-scale replica in NASA's sprawling Space Vehicle Mock-Up facility that houses model shuttles, Williams walked through every check and procedure as if on flight.
"This suit is fantastic -- it fits really well," he said with a smile as he climbed on board, pointing to the Canadian flag stitched on the arm of his pumpkin-orange spacesuit.
Tim Reynolds, the operation control centre supervisor who wears a tie that reads, "Failure is not an option," said it is critical to teach and practice on the ground before going into orbit. Astronauts must go through the same intensive training even on subsequent missions.
But he said they are driven, dedicated hard-working people -- and also down-to-earth, despite their elite profession.
"They're people just like we are -- they just have one of the coolest jobs in the world."
In Houston, the McDonald's has a huge spaceman on the roof, but astronauts don't enjoy that kind of fast food. A visit to NASA's space food lab shows that space travellers eat like soldiers -- meals in vacuum-sealed packets that can be preserved for up to 18 months.
Astronauts must eat their freeze-dried veggies, airtight M&Ms and quiche-in-a-bag from a food tray with velcro, that has magnets for utensils and a bungee cord for condiments to prevent them from going airborne.
Food technologist Michele Perchonok said it can be a challenge to prepare foods that have a long shelf-life, are nutritious and taste good.
"We know we can't do pizza, but what can we do?"