NASA Twin Astronauts Scott And Mark Kelly All Set To Aboard Crystal Cruise

NASA Astronaut Scott Kelly, who recently returned back to Earth after spending nearly 340 days aboard the International Space Station, is gearing up for his next journey, a week-long trip to Alaska on luxurious cruise ship, Crystal Serenity.

"I'm really looking forward to relaxing on the ship ... and sleeping," Kelly said in an exclusive interview with USA Today. "It's been a very busy year."

Kelly's twin brother and fellow retired astronaut Mark Kelly and Mark's wife, former Arizona congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords will be joining him on the cruise trip from Anchorage to Vancouver which departs June 26. Kelly's children and longtime partner will also be a part of the trip.

"Hopefully the kids will have some fun, and I'm looking forward to some shore excursions," Kelly added.

The twin Kelly brothers will present live lectures and participate in Q&A sessions on the luxury ship with 1,070-passengers on board.

"It is a special honor for us to welcome these esteemed guests aboard our ship, and we are equally thrilled to share the privilege with our inquisitive and savvy guests," said Edie Rodriguez, Crystal CEO and president.

 "Crystal has long enjoyed a reputation for offering enlightening and often cutting-edge enrichment on board that enhances travelers' global explorations; this occasion is particularly exceptional."

Both Scott and Mark have been a part of NASA's first groundbreaking twin study, in which the former completed a space mission, while the later served on the ground as a control model to help scientists understand how space affects the human body.

After returning back from space, Scott said at a NASA event that exposure to space environment has permanent effects. He revealed that while in space astronauts are exposed to high levels of radiation and carbon monoxide, and a micro-gravity environment which causes loss of bone and muscle, vision impairment and effects on their immune system.

.@marion_obermayr My feet do hurt... #askAstro pic.twitter.com/Rn9K9uVDHW

— Scott Kelly (@StationCDRKelly) May 25, 2016

He added that due to the absence of gravity in space his skin did not feel anything for nearly a year and that it turned extremely sensitive and became inflamed.

Despite facing such challenges, Scott expressed his wish to be part other space pioneer missions in future.