Living in The International Space Station
Living in space is a full time job. Today we will explore how astronauts spend their time aboard the International Space Station (ISS).
Upkeeping Experiments
The ISS is one of the only places we can experiment with microgravity. This means the astronauts work schedule is filled with upkeeping these experiments. They work on two main different scientific research facilities: the microgravity science glovebox and the human research facility. The microgravity glovebox allows astronauts to handle dangerous fluids. Some of the goals for this research are to help make better braking systems, seat suspensions and landing gear. The Human research facility is to research the effects of space on humans. The astronauts go in for regular physicals and are watched closely for the psychologic effects of isolation and confinement.
Exercise in Space
Microgravity makes it hard to use normal exercising equipment. The equipment must be adapted to space. They often use an exercise bike, a treadmill and a machine named the Advanced Resistance Exercise Device (ARED). The bike is basically a normal exercise bike. They work on spinning a mass which works normally in space. The treadmill uses a harness to keep the person using it able to walk normally. ARED uses stretchable cords that give a resistance to movement. They can use this for full-body exercise.
Losing muscle and bone mass is a problem in space. Exercise helps. but in the end gravity seems to be the only way to fully prevent it. We can make artificial gravity by spinning the craft but have yet to do it in practice. This means Exercising for a few hours a day is extremely important.
Normal Activities
Many activities like eating and sleeping are done differently in space. Liquids must be stored in and squeezed out of a tube to be drank. Astronauts have nutritionists to look after their food intake. The food they eat is basically the same as ours, but it can not be too flaky or refrigerated. They have no refrigerators and if anything is too flaky or fine it can get into the astronauts lungs or eyes. This means common condiments like salt and pepper must be made into a liquid form.
Sleeping and using the bathroom just require a few extra tools. Sleeping requires a belt to strap you down to the bed, although sometimes people don't bother with the bed. Using the bathroom usually requires a strap as well. Since there is no gravity astronauts need a tube with enough suction to pull the excrement in.
Free Time In Space
Astronauts get two days out of each week for free time. They need to relax just like we do.
One of the more popular pastimes in space is just watching the Earth go by through one of the windows. They orbit Earth every 90 minutes, which makes for a good sight.
Here is a live stream of the kind of view they have.
They can also spend time on the internet. They video conference friends and family and talk on social media. They are also sometimes sent care packages with food and entertainment on them. One of the astronauts even brought some of her flutes to play. They play around just like we do in our free time.
Astronauts spend months at a time in space doing experiments for us. The least we can do is spend some time learning what they are doing.