Many people wonder what life in space is like. But, in many ways, life in space is not too different from life on Earth. Astronauts wear normal clothes, eat almost normal food, sleep every night – and have fun. Yet, life in space can also be strange when compared to life on solid ground.
Many people wonder what kind of clothes astronauts wear when they are working in space. At the International Space Station, astronauts wear clothes they would wear on Earth. For example, they wear normal shirts, shorts and pants. But astronauts have to wear these clothes much longer than on Earth.
To save water, there is no washing machine on the Space Station. There also is not enough room to store clothes on the Space Station. So, crews do not change their clothes very often. NASA says crewmembers change their shirts every ten days. They change their underwear every second day. They place old clothes and other waste in a container that falls to Earth and burns up in the atmosphere.
However, astronauts must wear special clothing for launch and landing. Crewmembers on the American Space Shuttle wear Launch and Entry Suits. These suits cover the whole body. They are designed to maintain the right amount of air pressure around the astronaut.
When astronauts are done with their work, they can decide how to spend the rest of their day. As on Earth, they may want to have fun in their free time. NASA says it is important for astronauts to have fun, especially when they are staying on the International Space Station for a long time. So, scientists who plan the missions try to give astronauts enough free time. Astronauts can watch movies, read books, play games and talk to their families. There are also devices for exercise. Many astronauts simply enjoy looking out of the window.
On the Space Shuttle, astronauts can also look out of the pilot’s window to observe the Earth below. Or they can watch the sun rise and set, which takes place every forty-five minutes.
To do their work carefully, astronauts need enough sleep. They usually sleep for about eight hours. But in space, there is no up and down. Everything is weightless. So, astronauts can sleep in any position. For safety reasons, however, they have to attach themselves to a wall or a seat so they do not float around.
Space Station crews are awakened by sound from a clock. But, the crew of a Space Shuttle is traditionally awakened with music. Mission Control Center in Houston, Texas, plays musical requests. The wake-up music can be rock and roll, country, western or classical music.
Fun with food on the International Space Station
Astronauts eat three times a day: in the morning, at noon and in the evening. Food experts plan their diet so the astronauts get a balanced supply of healthy food that includes vitamins and minerals.
Food scientists at the Space Food System Laboratory at the Johnson Space Center in Houston research and develop special food for space missions. Months before, astronauts can choose what kind of food they would like to eat during their trip. For example they can choose different kinds of fruits, meat and seafood. But the foods must be easy to prepare and eat. Astronauts can heat their food in an oven. But there is no way to cool food.
Astronauts also have drinks like coffee and tea. But, some things are very different than they are on Earth. Astronauts cannot use normal salt or pepper because it would float away. So food scientists have developed liquid salt and pepper for use in space.
