LIFE IN SPACE
We all know who astronauts are and almost everyone has a question or two about living in space.
Have we ever wondered what they are eating? How do they sleep? How do they wash? Here are all curiosities about daily life aboard the International Space Station.
WHAT THEY EAT?
At the beginning of the 1960's, space food was bite-sized or placed in aluminum tubes. The food was prepared this way so that they would not be too heavy or take up too much space. Currently, there are about 150 different types of food. The meals are very similar to the meals we eat on Earth.
Space foods are in plastic containers. Some space foods can resume their consistency by adding cold or hot water, while others can be heated up in the oven. Foods such as fruits, bread and nuts can be eaten just as they are. When drinking liquids, a straw is used to suck the liquid out of a sealed package. This is done so that it will not spill or possibly cause any damage to machines.
HOW THEY SLEEP?
The astronauts can sleep anywhere facing any direction. However, it is not good to be floating away somewhere while sleeping. Therefore, they use small sleeping compartments and sleeping bags. They will strap their bodies loosely so that their bodies will not float around while they sleep in the Space Shuttle.
Eye masks and earplugs are also available for the astronauts who are unable to sleep due to the noise from air conditioning and other machines.
The astronaut's sleeping cycle, while in the Space Shuttle, allocates eight hours for sleeping. However, in most cases, they will sleep for around 6 hours, since they often work long hours or they will spend their time enjoying the view of the outside from the Shuttle's window.
HOW DO THEY WASH?
There are no sinks or showers inside the space shuttle.
When the astronauts want to clean their hands or faces, they wipe themselves clean either with alcohol or by using a wet towel containing liquid soap. When they wash their hair, they use waterless shampoo, which does not need any water for rinsing. Waterless shampoo is used since it has no foam, which could spatter inside the Space Shuttle. After washing, they use dry towels to dry themselves off and their washing is done. To clean the body, they simply wipe their body by using a wet towel soaked with body shampoo.
Now that you know these little curiosities, are you ready to start an adventure in the Space?