A day in the life of a NASA astronaut

Image credit: Instagram/@nasajohnson

Life aboard the International Space Station It can look luxurious, cool and interesting. While the latter is true, astronauts would like to differ on the “luxurious and cool” part. The life of a astronaut in space it’s a mix of discovery, routine and adapting to the unique challenges of living in space. With so many challenges, an astronaut cannot afford to waste a day or even an hour, so their days are usually carefully planned to accommodate research, exercise and essential maintenance tasks – which are equally important. an astronaut’s day.

Starting the day

Astronauts typically get 8 hours of sleep, followed by a 16-hour mission day. To be more productive, this sleep is extremely essential. However, the zero gravityExcitement of being in space, claustrophobia and sunrise every 90 minutes mean it’s difficult to rest for 8 hours. Consequently, each astronaut is provided with a sleeping mask and ear plugs to block out noise and light.
Upon waking up, astronauts take care of their personal hygiene and prepare for the day with a simple breakfast. Meals are pre-packaged and must be rehydrated or heated in the station’s modular kitchen. The menu may include dehydrated eggs, freeze-dried fruit or ready-to-eat food packages. After breakfast, the entire crew contacts the mission control team and sorts out the day’s tasks.

Health and Hygiene

Zero gravity in space contributes to many physical problems. As the body’s fluids are redistributed with an upward shift, pressure is created in the head and a feeling similar to a constant cold. This, along with the lack of gravity, over time causes muscle mass and bone density to deteriorate in astronauts. To combat these effects, astronauts are required to exercise for two hours a day. This exercise involves using a treadmill or stationary bike, specially designed to work in zero gravity. Exercising daily is non-negotiable as it will help astronauts readjust when they return to Earth.

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Hygiene, on the other hand, is much more complicated. As astronauts do not have access to running water, they make do with bathing suits, one for washing and one for rinsing. They use leave-in shampoo for their hair and excess water from these activities is collected and recycled. Excess water, which floats and sticks to the surface, is vacuumed into a sewage tank for recycling.

Life support systems

The ISS has a self-sustainable system, where everything, from air to water, is recycled. The Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS)) is responsible for creating oxygen through electrolysis, a process that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen using electricity from solar panels. Oxygen is distributed to the station and the remaining hydrogen is released into space.
Additionally, ECLSS also removes harmful gases such as carbon dioxide, acetone and ammonia, which are produced both by astronauts and due to scientific experiments. Clean air is important for astronauts’ health. Water is also extremely important, and to ensure it is readily available, a Russian-built water processor operates continuously to convert air humidity, condensation and even waste into usable water.

Housing and accommodation

The ISS is a research station situated in space, designers cannot afford this luxury, every square meter is carefully designed to function. The space shuttle has three decks – the flight deck, the middle deck (living quarters), and a life support/cleaning deck. The Zvezda Service Module on the ISS was designed to serve as the main living quarters, providing astronauts with a small kitchen, refrigerator, freezer, exercise equipment and sleeping cabins.

Image credit: Instagram/@nasajohnson

Astronauts strap themselves into sleeping bags, which are then tied again to walls or the floor. For privacy reasons, the crew also has private cabins. Sleeping is always uncomfortable as the ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes, meaning astronauts experience sunrise and sunset multiple times a day.

Work and Research

Sending astronauts to space is no walk in the park. Billions in resources are spent on each mission. Hence, an astronaut works on a tight schedule to conduct the assigned research in the stipulated time. They work on a variety of experiments ranging from studying the effects of long-term spaceflight on the human body to researching the behavior of materials in microgravity.
Astronauts also have the responsibility of maintaining the ISS, which includes routine tasks such as checking air filters and monitoring the systems that support life on the station. In case of failure, it is up to the astronauts to check and resolve the problem immediately. Sometimes repairs may require astronauts to leave the station, which they do in spacesuits.

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Communication and leisure

Although astronauts are expected to dedicate most of their time to studying and conducting research, they do have some time to talk to their family on Earth, using the systems already present on the ISS. Astronauts also have access to email and can send and receive messages with Mission Control or loved ones. They also read books and watch movies to pass the time.