a space oddity - nah, I'd call him a hero....

Today Col Hadfield handed command of the International Space Station over to a colleague and friend.  Tomorrow he and two of his fellow astronauts will plunge back to earth - back to a world they have help change.  It must seem so surreal.

Chris - I wonder if you realize....  I wonder if you realize how immense and profound your impact has been these past five months.... how many eyes you have opened, how many young imaginations you have sparked and how many older imaginations you have reignited.  How many conversations you have created in classrooms, in offices, around the dining room table and on the street - 'did you see what Chris did today?'  'did you see Chris's latest photo of Victoria?' 'I didn't know that's how astronauts had to brush their teeth!'

You are amazing for sharing this adventure with us Chris Hadfield....  I am so proud of you, all you have done, the imaginations you have sparked and eyes you have opened....  Thank you for the service you have not only given your country, but for the service you have given to humanity and to our future generations.  We salute you.

And personally, I can't wait to see where you go from here...

The world could only make one heart as perfect as yours. #ValentineFromSpace twitter.com/Cmdr_Hadfield/…
— Chris Hadfield (@Cmdr_Hadfield) February 14, 2013