Exclusive: Astronaut Scott Kelly relives year in space, ready for next chapter

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- In his first television interview since returning from space, astronaut Scott Kelly talked about reuniting with family and friends, eating great food again and feeling the rain. He admits it's tough to stand up given what gravity does down here.

His muscles are still store, getting out of a chair hurts and his skin is painful to the touch.

"You know, maybe now, I understand why babies cry when they come out of the womb," Kelly said.

Yet Kelly remains upbeat as ever.

"I'll get back to 100 percent hopefully pretty soon," Kelly said.

He's finally sleeping well and happy to be using the bathroom again (and not in a bottle). Kelly says he can't wait for something else he desperately missed -- the rain.

"I'll be getting soaked," Kelly said.

Being away so long in such isolation was tough on his daughters, his girlfriend and his friends. Space travel was tough on his body, but to him, the sacrifice has been a privilege.

"I've been working on this for the past 20 years," he said. "I hope to continue to work on it in some capacity for the next 20."

It's hard to top what he's done in life and he admits it won't be easy finding that next rewarding challenge.

"Finding that next meaningful thing that I feel passionate about and rewarded by is something you think about," Kelly added.

At some point when he finally retires from NASA he'd like to write a book and see where other opportunities take him. As for the immediate future?

"Tonight I'm going home and sit on the couch," Kelly said.

Kelly says no matter what happens next he'll be a big advocate for NASA and space travel. While he's not sure he wants his daughters to pursue the same line of work, he wouldn't be unhappy to see them up there one day.