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Life in Space
Space Station must provide astronauts with an environment which is similar
to the Earth. So the life support in ISS is similar to that in a space
shuttle. You can refer to Life in
Here we will discuss the living and working in the ISS.
Sleeping in space is different from sleeping on the Earth. Astronauts
have a wall-mounted sleeping bag that they slip into and zip up instead
of sleeping in a bed. The bag is also equipped with arm restraints to
prevent the arms from floating above the head while sleeping.
Most astronauts have to take sponge baths using washcloths or moistened
towelettes in order to reduce the amount of water used.
The food on the ISS will be mainly frozen, dehydrated or heat-stabilized
and drinks will be dehydrated. Astronauts collect food trays and utensils,
locate their individually packaged meal from a storage compartment, prepare
the items and then heat the items, then place them in the tray and finally
eat. After the meal, they will place the used items in a trash compactor,
and clean and store the utensils and trays.
In a condition of microgravity, the body loses bone and muscle mass (see
the section How Astronauts Feel in Mircogravity). Astronauts will have
to exercise daily for the purpose of counter the losses. The service module,
where the astronauts live, is equipped with a treadmill and a stationary
bicycle for their activities. Of course, astronauts must strap themselves
onto the devices so that they do not fload away during the exercise.
When the ISS is completed, work will involve maintaining the station (e.g.
fixing broken equipment, repairing structures) and conducting scientific
experiments and observations. There will be six scientific laboratories.
The equipment is held by closet-sized racks along the walls of the laboratory
module, footholds and restraints are used so astronauts won't float away
while working. Remote video and data links and used in the experiment
racks so that scientists on the ground will be able to monitor the experiments
on-board the ISS continuously.
on the ISS
Walking in microgravity is very different from that in the Earth. As astronauts
float, they have to use handholds mounted on the walls to keep themselves
stable when moving around.