How Do Astronauts Clip Nails In Space?

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) have to deal with some peculiar situations, including the challenge of nail trimming in microgravity. With nails growing as they do on Earth, leaving nail clippings floating around could pose a potential hazard to their health as they could be inhaled. As a result, astronauts have developed a specific protocol for nail cutting to ensure their personal hygiene and the cleanliness of the spacecraft.

"In the video, Hadfield explains that cutting his fingernails in space would result in fingernail fragments floating around everywhere. Since they won't fall to the ground and can't be swept up, they can end up in people's eyes and be breathed in, which is not ideal. To solve this problem, astronauts take out the trimmer from its velcro-secured spot in the ISS bathroom and trim their nails next to an air duct. The air duct pulls in and refreshes air aboard the ISS, creating a slight suction that traps the nail clippings in place. Later, when the mesh covering of the duct is cleaned by the astronauts, the nail clippings end up safely in the trash."