What Life Is Really Like on the ISS
Living on the International Space Station (ISS) sounds like a dream, right? It’s an incredible experience, but it also comes with unique challenges. Astronauts like Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore have been living this dream for far longer than expected, with their return to Earth delayed until 2025. So, how do they cope with life in space? Let me take you inside the ISS and show you what it’s really like!
Waking Up in Space
The astronauts start their day early, around 06:30 GMT. Each crew member has their own tiny, phone booth-sized sleeping compartment, which they call home. Nicole Stott, a former astronaut, shared that it’s pretty cozy in there, with just enough space for a laptop and some personal items like family photos or books.
The Daily Grind: Work and Play
The ISS is about the size of a six-bedroom house, so even though there are 10 people aboard right now, you can go hours without bumping into anyone. Most of their day is packed with scientific experiments, maintenance, and exercise. They’re basically like “guinea pigs” in a massive lab—testing how space affects the human body. Did you know space can make bones age faster? Crazy, right?
But it’s not all work. If astronauts manage to squeeze in some free time, they’ll head to a window to catch breathtaking views of Earth, or even write music and poetry like Chris Hadfield did during his mission.
The Quirky Side of Space: Smells and Sweat
Space smells. It’s something astronauts often mention. After a spacewalk, there’s a distinct metallic odor that clings to spacesuits. It’s not unpleasant, but it’s different from anything on Earth. This strange “space smell” comes from particles and radiation reacting with materials brought inside.
Also, imagine working out in zero gravity. With no laundry service, astronauts have to reuse clothes for long periods—sometimes a single pair of trousers for three months! But in space, there’s less sweat sticking to your clothes, so they don’t get as dirty as you might think.
The Unforgettable View
All astronauts agree that the view from 400 km above Earth is life-changing. Gazing at the planet from space makes you realize how interconnected we all are. They see the swirling clouds, the deep blue oceans, and often wonder why peace and collaboration can’t be as simple down on Earth as it is up in space.
Astronauts like Stott and Hadfield admit they wouldn’t trade this experience for anything, and would return in a heartbeat. Though for now, their current crewmates, Williams and Wilmore, are holding the fort until they can safely return home, possibly aboard a SpaceX Dragon capsule(Space.com)(EnviroLink Network).
So, the next time you glance up at the night sky, think about the people living up there, dealing with space smells, dodging floating meatballs, and savoring the awe-inspiring view of Earth. What a life, right?
