Astronauts spend months aboard the International Space Station (ISS), living and working in one of the harshest environments humans have ever entered. Their missions involve repairing equipment, running experiments, and even walking in open space. But daily life in orbit also brings unusual challenges and experiences, from disrupted sleep to growing taller.
Here are 10 facts that show what astronauts go through while living beyond Earth.
1. Time Moves Differently in Space
Einstein’s theory of relativity means astronauts age a fraction slower than people on Earth. After six months on the ISS, they are about 0.005 seconds younger than if they had stayed home. The effect is tiny but measurable.
2. Russian Is Part of the Job
NASA astronauts are required to learn Russian because of joint operations with Roscosmos. Russian spacecraft such as Soyuz remain central to transport and safety procedures aboard the ISS.
3. Astronauts Get Taller
With gravity absent, spinal discs expand and add up to 3 percent to an astronaut’s height. The change is temporary and fades once they return to Earth’s pull.
4. Exercise Is Non-Negotiable
To counter bone and muscle loss, astronauts work out at least two hours a day. The station is equipped with treadmills, resistance machines, and even a cycle designed for weightless conditions.
5. Toilets Work Differently
Waste management requires a vacuum system to keep things contained in microgravity. For launch and landing, astronauts also wear absorbent garments in case of delays.
6. Sixteen Sunrises a Day
Because the ISS completes an orbit every 90 minutes, astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours. This constant shift can disrupt sleep, so light schedules are carefully managed.
7. Haircuts Require Vacuums
Trimming hair in space risks loose clippings floating into equipment. Astronauts use clippers connected to a vacuum so nothing escapes into the cabin.
8. Gloves Can Damage Nails
Bulky spacesuit gloves put stress on hands, sometimes causing blisters or even nail loss. Some astronauts have removed nails before missions to avoid pain during spacewalks.
9. The ISS Is Enormous
The station measures roughly the size of a football field and weighs about 460 tons. It has been continuously inhabited since 2000 and hosts experiments across medicine, physics, and Earth science.
10. Food Must Be Space-Safe
Meals are designed to avoid crumbs and floating liquids. Astronauts eat rehydrated dishes and snacks sealed in packaging that can be handled easily in zero gravity.
Astronauts’ experiences highlight both the risks and the adjustments required to live in orbit. From learning new languages to managing their own bodies in microgravity, their work shows how far humans have come in adapting to life beyond Earth.
