An Astronauts Daily Routine

Waking Up On The International Space Station

Each "morning," the crew is awakened by an alarm that may disrupt the weightlessness dreams that many astronauts experience, prompting them to leave their sleeping bags and start their day. The location of their sleeping quarters is crucial, with a spot near a ventilation fan being ideal. Although this may result in a drafty sleep, warm air does not rise in space, so those in poorly ventilated areas may be surrounded by their own exhaled carbon dioxide, leading to oxygen deprivation and possibly waking up with a headache and gasping for air.

Some astronauts attempt to sleep freely, but they risk colliding with air filters that are trying to draw them in. The space station's equipment, including fans and air filters, produces a lot of noise at night, with some astronauts likening it to living in a giant vacuum cleaner. As a result, some crew members choose to wear earplugs while sleeping. However, over time, most become accustomed to the noise, much like people on Earth who live near busy roads. The constant hum of these life-sustaining systems can actually be reassuring

After waking up, the astronauts tend to assume a fetal position as they move around the station weightlessly. This posture, sometimes called the "simian hunch," appears to be the natural human stance in microgravity, possibly echoing the weightless months that every growing embryo spends floating in the mother's womb.

Getting dressed quickly is a challenge for the crew, as their limbs tend to float in odd directions. They wear disposable clothing that needs to be replaced every three days since there are no washing machines available in space. Astronauts clean themselves using wet towels, as there are no showers on the International Space Station.

Wet shaving is a tedious task for the male crew members. Due to surface tension, water and shaving cream tend to stick to their faces, and the cream and stubble cling to the razor blade until they're wiped on a towel, which is then rolled up to prevent debris from floating around. Electric shaving is also an option, but it must be done close to a suction fan to prevent the hairs from floating away. Many male astronauts choose to shave as infrequently as possible, and they all acknowledge that their female counterparts have the upper hand in this regard.

The first meal of the day is served, and it's one of three that the crew will have. Space food has improved significantly in taste and variety since the freeze-dried days of the Apollo missions. However, meals in space are still prepared and eaten with the same basic limitations: food and drink must be contained, or else it will float around the station. This is not only untidy and unhygienic, but it can also be hazardous if food enters station equipment. As a result, drinks and soups are served in plastic bags and sipped through straws. Nevertheless, with a bit of care, astronauts can use utensils like knives and forks to eat more solid dishes, and magnets keep them from floating away from the dining table. Spicy food tends to be a favourite among the crew because prolonged microgravity can dull their taste buds.

Following their meal, the astronauts begin their daily tasks, which may include overseeing experiments or performing regular maintenance on the space station's equipment. The intricate machinery required to sustain human life in orbit demands a continuous supply of resources. Each day, an individual inhales roughly 0.9 kg of liquid oxygen, equivalent to the volume of air in a 3.5 cubic meter room, and consumes 2.7 kg of water. To reduce the frequency of resupply missions, the ISS employs life-support systems that recycle as much as possible. The wastewater from urine and the moisture condensed from the air are purified and reused or broken down through electrolysis to produce fresh oxygen. Additionally, carbon dioxide 'scrubbers' remove the hazardous gas from the air via chemical processes.

Solid human waste is not recycled on the ISS; instead, it is collected, compressed, and stored for disposal. Although the space toilet that does the collecting may seem intimidating, it is a significant improvement over the earlier, less sanitary arrangements. During power failures on the Mir space station, cosmonauts had to rely on emergency plastic bags, which significantly lowered morale until the orbiting "convenience" was back on line.



Unlike traditional toilets, space toilets do not use water. Astronauts must first fasten themselves to the toilet seat, which is equipped with spring-loaded restraining bars to ensure a good seal. A lever then operates a powerful fan, and a suction hole slides open to carry the waste neatly away. Some crew members may find the toilet challenging to get used to. In addition to the device itself, they must also acclimate themselves to the disconcerting fact that their bowels float inside their bodies, like the rest of their internal organs and everything else on board.

Exercise is an important part of the daily routine in space, helping astronauts combat muscle and bone loss due to weightlessness. It also helps to relieve the "space snuffles," a condition caused by fluids accumulating in the head without the downward pull of gravity. The International Space Station, like its predecessor Mir, has a treadmill and exercise bike, but astronauts must secure themselves to these machines to avoid floating away. Busy days in orbit can be physically demanding, particularly when moving heavy equipment, which may be weightless but still has mass. Astronauts must push and pull against inertia and often work in awkward positions, which can strain their muscles.

The crew typically has some leisure time before bed, which they value greatly. During this period, they may choose to write emails to loved ones back on Earth, watch movies, or casually communicate over amateur radio. While people on Earth can also partake in these activities, they cannot experience the most popular pastime among those in space: observing the Earth as it rotates below. Astronauts claim that the view never gets boring.