Retired NASA astronaut, former NFL wide receiver, and avid dog lover, Leland Melvin joins Rae to talk about food, fitness, and fetch in space.Questions include: What would it be like to play with your dog in space? Can you play sports in microgravity? How does the body physically change in the absence of gravity? Why do people grow in space? What mental changes occur in space? What is the best space food? What kind of physical exercises do astronauts do? Who ran a marathon in space? What is it like to spend a holiday on a spaceship? What are “stupid astronaut tricks”? What are the best views of Earth from space? Why do astronauts love spicy food? Is freeze-dried ice cream really astronaut food? Do your tastebuds desensitize in space?Follow I Need My Space on Social Media:Twitter: @INeedMySpacePodInstagram: @INeedMySpace PodFacebook Group: “I Need My Space Pod”To continue the conversation from this podcast on social media, use the hashtag #INeedMySpaceWhere to find Leland on the web:http://lelandmelvin.com/Twitter: @Astro_FlowHow to watch One Strange Rock:One Strange Rock airs on National Geographic every Monday night at 10 p.m. Eastern.Why You Need Your Space (#WYNYS)In this episode, Michael Ahr, of Den of Geek and Sci Fi Fidelity, tells us why he needs his space. You can follow Michael’s work on Twitter: @SciFiFidelity, @DenofGeekUS and @mikescifi.SponsorsThis episode of I Need My Space is sponsored by Audible. For a free audiobook with a 30-day free trial, go to www.audible.com/SPACE or text SPACE to 500-500.About InverseInverse sparks curiosity about the future. We explore the science of anything, innovations that shape tomorrow, and ideas that stretch our minds. Our goal is to motivate the next generation to build a better world.CreditsI Need My Space is an Inverse production hosted by Rae Paoletta and Steve Ward, produced by Sam Riddell, and executive produced by Hannah Margaret Allen. Our intro and outro music was created by Andrew Olivares. Additional music was created by Epsilon Not.Rae: @payoletter Steve: @SteveJohnHenryWAndrew: https://soundcloud.com/andrewo“Space Funk Systems 199X” by Epsilon NotOther Topics Discussed Include: The Expanse (TV show), science fiction films, NASA, NFL, football, exoplanets, Mercury (planet), puppies & dogs, Chasing Space (novel), Johnson Space Center, physics in space, Karen Nyberg, Sunita Williams, The Orville (TV show), Nicole Stott