Welcome to the International Space Station!
This is a research center located 400 kilometers above the Earth’s surface, in Earth orbit. Three astronauts work here. Their mission is to conduct various scientific experiments. In addition to performing these experiments, the astronauts also carry out maintenance and repair work on the station. The astronauts arrive at the station in spacecraft. After spending a few months here, they return to Earth. During this time, new crews replace the departing team. The station is constantly visited by astronauts.
Every day that astronauts will spend in space is planned down to the finest detail months in advance. Astronauts wake up to the sound of an alarm. After quickly cleaning up and having breakfast, they prepare for their daily meetings with the mission control team on Earth. At these meetings, the day’s tasks and the general work plan are reviewed. Radio communication between the Space Station and Earth is constantly open. The team on Earth monitors the astronauts as they perform their daily tasks. Some of these tasks involve the daily maintenance and repair of systems on the International Space Station. However, the astronauts spend most of their time working on scientific experiments conducted there.
This is “Zvezda,” the living quarters for astronauts on the Space Station. It includes a kitchen counter, refrigerator, exercise equipment, sleeping quarters, a toilet, and a bathroom! Astronauts eat three meals a day, just like on Earth. The meal menus are similar to those on Earth. Each food item is prepared on Earth in small, single-serving packages. Some are dehydrated and some are frozen to ensure long-lasting shelf life. Therefore, the food may need water added or heated before consumption.
All the materials needed to conduct scientific experiments on the Space Station are stored on removable shelves attached to the station’s walls. This means all the materials need to be secured in place; otherwise, they’ll fly around the station, which could be very dangerous. Velcro tape is ideal for this. Many of the experiments conducted here focus on biology, materials science, and physics, investigating the effects of weightlessness on the human body.
Inside the space station, all the equipment and furniture have grab bars. Astronauts hold onto these bars with their feet or tie themselves to them while working. Without them, even simple actions like pressing computer keys would be impossible! They would be pushed back if they tried to press the keys. Nothing is left lying around on the space station! Therefore, astronauts must put all their equipment back in its place after use. Inside the station, the walls and ceilings have rubber strips and adhesive strips stretched and attached at both ends. Astronauts wedge or stick their belongings to these strips. If you look at the photos, you can see many items on the walls.
Astronauts living on the International Space Station exercise for at least two hours a day. This exercise prevents muscle weakness caused by the weightless environment. They use exercise bikes, run on treadmills, and lift weights.
Astronauts don’t shower on the space station. They clean their hair and faces with special, non-foaming liquids. They also wipe their bodies with these special towels and tissues. They brush their teeth with special toothpaste that can be swallowed. Water is only used for drinking on the station. Water is the most important drink for the astronauts on the station, but it is also a very dangerous substance that could damage the station.
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