Have you ever wondered what it would be like to live in space? What would you do? How would you communicate with people here on Earth? Life in space can be both similar and different from life on this planet. Read on to find out more about how astronauts cope with the same needs we have and discover what life inside the International Space Station is like.
The Basics of Living in Space
Some aspects of life in Space are the same as for you and me. The astronauts must sleep, eat, and take care of personal hygiene needs. While the needs are the same, how they meet those needs can look quite different. They must learn how to adapt during training because they are busy working once they arrive at the space station. After training, astronauts find it easy to sleep, eat, and manage their daily routines with weightlessness.
According to retired astronaut Captain Robert “Hoot” Gibson, “Weightlessness was very enjoyable once you figured out that you couldn't move about quickly because stopping became difficult. I was able to sleep anywhere simply by taking my sleeping bag to a location and tethering it, so for example, I slept on the ceiling of the lower deck my first night in space on my first flight. The training before flight was instrumental in making life easy once you were in orbit because we were always very busy launching satellites or working on science investigations.”
Sleeping in Zero Gravity
Astronauts can’t sleep the same way in space as on Earth. They don’t just crawl into bed because they would float away (and the bed would be floating as well). Instead, the astronauts crawl into what looks like a sleeping bag, which is attached to a surface. Once inside the bag, it acts as a restraint to keep them from floating away. From that position, they can sleep like normal.
Eating in Space
Meals in space are similar to what you get to enjoy on Earth. The food is kept in plastic containers. It can be heated in an oven and may have water added, but it must be cooked before launch. You can also enjoy fruit, nuts, and grains in space. Most food that goes to space is vacuum-packed, dried, freeze-dried, or canned. Fresh food, like fruits, must be eaten in the first few days of the mission because there isn’t a refrigerator in space. Some foods won’t taste the same as when you’re on Earth.
Astronaut Rhea Seddon shared, “Living and working in weightlessness is very enjoyable after adapting to it over the first several days. The training for life in space is very critical and we spent many hours in habitability training to be able to operate the Galley for food preparation as well as operate the space toilet. Eating and drinking in space was easy and just required a bit of care to keep food or liquids from floating away.”
(Photo courtesy of Robert Gibson).
Personal Hygiene
Since you're weightless, water would float along with you and not flow downward. If you turned on a faucet, the water would go everywhere. Astronauts do still have a need to be clean, so they use wet wipes and wet towels to wash up. They use a dry shampoo for their hair.
Toilets use airflow to direct waste to a waste tank to keep it from floating around. The astronaut must use restraints to hold them in place when using the toilet. As Rhea also noted, "We can't shower or have a bathtub in weightlessness but over the years evolved into 'no-rinse' soap and shampoo so that cleaning up with washcloths became quite simple and effective."
Working and Conducting Experiments
Astronauts maintain normal routines while in space. Without gravity, these daily routines can be complicated but necessary. They’ve had to learn how to exercise, perform daily routines, and conduct scientific experiments as part of their job.
Daily Routine
Astronauts have a regimented schedule for each day when they’re living in space. They have a morning briefing and spend about six hours working, during which time they perform scientific work or technical tasks. They eat three meals and talk to scientists on Earth. The astronauts fit in at least two hours of exercise and participate in task meetings. They must undergo weekly health checks as well. Cleaning is vital to life in space and includes a vacuum cleaner to handle debris.
Exercise in Space
Since astronauts don't walk or climb stairs in weightlessness, their heart, muscles, and bones aren’t working very hard and will lose strength if not used. Astronauts must exercise regularly, working out for about two hours each day. They use resistance equipment for strength training, along with a treadmill and ergometer for cardio. When they work out on the treadmill, straps hold them down. The ergometer is like a stationary bike without wheels, and astronauts can adjust the resistance.
Scientific Experiments
The majority of an astronaut’s day is spent on scientific experiments. Some of these experiments would be impossible to do on Earth. They can range from biology to physics and are essential for future space missions and for life on Earth.
Leisure and Communication
Since astronauts spend several months in space, they need free time to relax and enjoy their hobbies. They can get lonely and miss family and friends from home, so it’s important to their mental health to be able to communicate with their loved ones.
Leisure Activities
Astronauts are allowed to bring some of their personal items with them for life on the space station. They can read books, listen to music, and watch movies, just like back home. They often take pictures of the stars and Earth.
Staying in Touch
Staying in touch with friends and family is similar to doing it here on Earth. Internet is available in the space station, allowing astronauts to send emails, messages, and even make phone calls. They can use Facebook, WhatsApp, and other apps and social media networks.
Challenges and Adaptations
Living in space comes with its own set of challenges. Astronauts must deal with isolation and confinement for up to six months. They also need to navigate working with people from different cultures and backgrounds.
Isolation and Confinement
Having a regular routine helps astronauts cope with isolation and confinement. They focus on their tasks for the day, starting when the alarm goes off. The astronauts eat their meals together and have time to visit with family and friends. Social media helps them feel connected to Earth and prevents them from feeling forgotten.
Team Dynamics
Astronauts spend time getting to know each other and maintain cultural sensitivity, often celebrating special occasions together. They introduce each other to their respective cultures through stories, food, and language.
As you visit Flight Adventure Park and enjoy all our activities, such as the beam battle or foam pits, you’ll now have a deeper appreciation for what goes on in space. Visit one of our locations and check out our programs that can help you feel like an astronaut here on Earth as you take flight on our wall-to-wall trampolines.
Astronauts are just like us when they’re living in space. They eat, sleep, and keep clean. They have an alarm to wake them and a schedule to follow. These space professionals work and play, miss family, and look forward to talking with the people they love. Now, you know a little more about what life is like for astronauts who get the opportunity to live in space for a few months.