Space adventurers go above and beyond on the job. As we all read and experience what it is like to be in space in Scott Harral’s glimpse into the near future as we inhabit the Moon, let’s have a look at a day in the life of an astronaut;
Morning routine in space.
When astronauts rouse up from their rest station, they have parallel cleanliness habits. An astronaut washes up for the day using the things in their hygiene kit. Breakfast is as substantial as dinner, and astronauts plan to eat one consistently.
Start of duty in space.
Astronauts spend their days toiling on science experiments that require their input, monitoring tasks that are managed from the ground, and taking part in medical experiments to figure out how well their bodies adapt to living in space for a long duration.
Since astronauts live where they perform their work, it’s also their responsibility to help keep the ISS in tip-top shape. Much like homeowners do regular care and other work around the house to watch the excellent healthiness of their home, crew members regularly inspect reinforcement techniques and cleaning filters, update computer gear, and even carry out the garbage.
The mission control center (MCC) also watches the ISS from the ground. It sends instructions through email or voice messages to the astronauts daily about any job that may need to be accomplished around the space station. If a job calls for it—for example, batteries need to be replaced on an external area of the ISS—an astronaut may have to suit up and perform a spacewalk.
Eating discipline in space.
Female astronauts require only about 1,900 calories daily, while men require about 3,200 calories. How much they eat relies on the astronaut, as calories needs differ for each of them.
As for how long it takes them to eat, that relies on what they’re eating and how much practice time it requires. Some snacks in space, like potato chips and fruit, can be consumed just how they come, so that’s a good choice if an astronaut is looking to refuel quickly.
Other foods like pasta or mac and cheese require water during preparation since the food is dehydrated and must be put in the oven for heating before consumption. You may still have to carve out cook time, but there isn’t much preparation time when the meals are first cooked on Earth.
Exercise is essential in space.
It’s so crucial that astronauts devote hours each day to fitness. On average, they wield about two hours per day in a step to thwart bone and muscle loss while living in a place with less gravity.
Our bodies continuously work because they work against gravity to move here on Earth. With the tiniest gravity space, movement is more manageable for astronauts and doesn’t demand much work. Astronauts who consumed a long time in the area and didn’t resume training physically would lose a lot of the energy they built on Earth, leaving them feeling somewhat weak when they return home.
Astronauts can do some cardio operating a treadmill, bike, or lift weight—and lots of it. Lifting 200 pounds might be difficult on Earth, but astronauts can effortlessly lift more weight in space’s light conditions.
Sufficient sleep in space is essential.
According to NASA, astronauts usually plan eight hours of rest at the end of each assignment. There’s nothing more satisfying after a long and tiring day at work on Earth than ascending into bed for a good night’s rest. It’s the same story in space, but instead of beds, astronauts cozy up in their sleeping pouches in their crew cabin.
The sleeping bags are connected to the wall to keep the astronaut safe because they’d otherwise be gliding around all night, which doesn’t sound very relaxing.
Having fun in space.
Experiments in space occasionally involve performing with plants or even toys and noticing how microgravity impacts them. They get fun while not at work as well. Too much work isn’t adequate for anyone, not even those in space. Astronauts like to have fun and require a break from their occupied plans, too, so flight planners on Earth carve out time per day for them to rest.
How they consume that free time is up to them. They certainly have plenty of options. One well-known pastime in space is looking out the window, which may sound lame to us Earthlings, but in space, astronauts on the ISS get to look out the window and see Earth rotating underneath them.
They can also bathe in breathtaking sunrises and sunsets every 45 minutes above Earth’s conditions. Astronauts can also play recreational games or cards, read books, play an instrument, listen to music or watch movies, chat with their relatives, style each other’s hair, etc. And like many full-time employees here on Earth, astronauts also get weekends off to rejuvenate before another busy workweek.
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