Fascinating Insights into Astronauts' Lives in Space

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Ngày cập nhật gần nhất: 15/4/2026

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Life aboard the space station is always captivating and filled with wonders that ordinary people can hardly imagine.

Many dream of setting foot on distant stars, but not everyone ponders what astronauts do in space. While they witness historic and magnificent moments, their daily life on the space station is rarely mentioned.

1. All activities are regulated according to an artificial 24-hour day

Every 24 hours, astronauts on the ISS experience 15 sunrises. Thus, conventional time conventions regarding sunrise and sunset become obsolete in space. Although they can engage freely like any regular day, the changing sunrise and sunset patterns disrupt biological rhythms, making it impossible to function like a normal 24-hour day. To minimize jet lag, which could render astronauts sluggish and permanently disoriented, the space station is equipped with a lighting system and alarm system to ensure astronauts wake up and sleep on time.

2. Rigorous training is required for spacewalks

Astronauts often refer to spacewalks, or EVAs for extravehicular activities, as one of the most exciting and memorable parts of their space journeys. These seemingly simple activities are extremely perilous when performed in space, so before they go to the ISS, space personnel must train on a life-size model submerged in a giant pool.

Upon boarding the spacecraft, the steps to go on a spacewalk are not simple either. EVAs are meticulously planned, sometimes months in advance, and they have to complete a 100-page checklist to summarize the information.

3. Using adhesive tape and scissors as utensils for eating

Food for astronauts in space is always a big challenge. Any spillage or floating in the air must be prevented before they clog up delicate machinery. Initially, astronauts used pureed food, a mixture of meat, fruits, and vegetables, but it wasn't always appetizing. Then NASA added dehydrated and vacuum-packed meals, where users only need to add water for a delicious meal. To keep meals from becoming messy, instead of using utensils as usual, astronauts have to use adhesive tape and scissors to secure them.

4. Clothes are worn only once and the same outfit is worn continuously for many days

Simple tasks like brushing teeth take a lot of time in a zero-gravity environment. After compacting the toothbrush and toothpaste, astronauts must carefully squirt water to wet the bristles of the toothbrush, and squirt just enough toothpaste to keep it on the brush. Once done brushing, they are forced to swallow everything.

Due to the challenges of personal hygiene, the shower head on the space station has been replaced with specialized wet wipes. Also, since there are no washing machines, they only wear clothes once and typically change them every 3 days.

Frequently Asked Questions

What unique challenges do astronauts face when eating in space?

Astronauts face significant challenges when eating in space due to the absence of gravity, which can cause food to float and potentially clog sensitive machinery. To mitigate spills, they use adhesive tape and scissors instead of conventional utensils. Initially, they consumed pureed food, but now they often eat dehydrated and vacuum-packed meals, requiring just water to prepare.

How do astronauts adapt to the 24-hour day aboard the ISS?

Astronauts on the ISS experience 15 sunrises each day, disrupting traditional timekeeping. To combat this, the space station employs a sophisticated lighting and alarm system that helps regulate their sleep-wake cycles, minimizing jet lag and ensuring they can function effectively despite the unusual environment.

What preparations are necessary for astronauts to conduct spacewalks?

Astronauts undergo rigorous training for spacewalks, also known as extravehicular activities (EVAs), which includes practicing in a life-size model submerged in water. Each EVA is meticulously planned, often months in advance, and requires astronauts to complete a detailed 100-page checklist before they can proceed.

How often do astronauts change their clothes while in space?

Astronauts typically wear their clothes only once, changing them every three days due to the difficulties of personal hygiene in a zero-gravity environment. Since there are no washing machines available, they manage personal cleanliness with specialized wet wipes instead of showers.

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