"LIVING IT UP" - LIFE IN SPACE
by Noelle Young
Wheeling Jesuit University Professional Writing Student

Cosmonaut Gennady I. Padalka (left), Expedition 9 commander, and European Space Agency astronaut Andre Kuipers of the Netherlands, work in the Unity node of the ISS while astronaut C. Michael Foale (right), Expedition 8 commander and NASA ISS science officer, exercises using the Interim Resistive Exercise Device equipment. Click here for a larger image.

"Living it up" takes a more literal meaning for those aboard the International Space Station (ISS).

Weightlessness–or more accurately, microgravity–is the most important and obvious influence on life in space. But floating crewmembers could be on a dangerous collision course if they're not careful.

"Microgravity," Dan Woodard of Marshall Space Flight Center's microgravity research progress office said, "is a condition in which the effects of gravity are greatly reduced, sometimes described as weightlessness. The microgravity environment associated with the space shuttle [and space station] is a result of the spacecraft's being in orbit, which is a state of continuous freefall around the Earth." For more information about microgravity from Marshall Space flight Center, visit http://microgravity.nasa.gov/wimg.html.

Although the majority of astronauts find floating in space exhilarating, it does complicate the routines of daily life tremendously. Eating, sleeping, working, recreation, exercises, and physical, mental, and emotional health all are affected. Space adaptation demands significant changes in the human body. Balance depends on an extremely sophisticated sensor system. The vestibular system inside the ear sends a steady stream of signals to the brain indicating motion and direction. But in microgravity these signals are misleading. The usual effect is immediate disorientation. Luckily, the effects are only temporary.

Astronaut Edward M. (Mike) Fincke, Expedition 9 NASA science officer and flight engineer aboard the International Space Station, juggles fresh fruit in the Destiny laboratory. The microgravity environment of space proves to be an ideal location for some tasks not so easily accomplished in Earth's gravity. Click here for a larger image.

15 Dawns
While the daily routines aboard the space station might be comparable to those on Earth, the concept of a day is a little more abstract. Every 24 hours astronauts experience 15 dawns because of the number of times the station orbits the Earth in a 24-hour period. And because the sun rises approximately every 90 minutes for the orbiting station, the sunlight and warmth entering the cockpit window can easily be a disturbance. Generally, astronauts are scheduled for eight hours of sleep at the end of each day. However, besides the extra sunlight, crew members also have trouble sleeping because of the excitement of being in space, motion sickness, and the close quarters crewmembers must share. Also, the procedure for sleeping is quite challenging.   In space there is no up or down because of microgravity, astronauts can sleep in any orientation. To keep from floating around and bumping into something, crew members must attach themselves to a wall, seat, or bunk bed. Usually, they sleep in sleeping bags. When it is time to wake up, Mission Control in Houston sends a wakeup call to shuttle astronauts by playing music; however, space station crews wake to an alarm clock.

Astronauts choose sleep spots carefully because if they are not in a well-ventilated section, they may wake up the next morning surrounded by a bubble of their own exhaled carbon dioxide. Oxygen starvation is the result of a poor resting area. Astronauts end up with a splitting headache and the feeling of not being able to breathe. If an astronaut does try to tough it out and sleep floating free, he or she most likely ends up colliding with an air filter that is trying to suck them into a grill.

Fashion Retakes
Once the crew is awake, the astronauts dress as quickly as possible. Obviously, this is no easy task when your arms and legs are floating at odd angles. Disposable clothes are worn in space; they are replaced every three days. There are no washing machines. There is a shower at the International Space Station, but water has to be conserved, so it can be used only sparingly. It is a luxury that the astronauts cherish. Shaving is an interesting endeavor. Water and shaving cream stick to the astronaut's face because of surface tension. Equally challenging is electric shaving. It has to be done next to a suction fan so the hairs do not float away and clog up equipment.

Astronauts enjoy a meal specially prepared by Nutritionalists ensure that a proper balance of vitamins and minerals

Spice It Up
After cleaning and dressing, crew members eat the first of three meals during the day. Space food has improved greatly since the days of the aluminum squeeze tubes. Nutritionalists ensure that a proper balance of vitamins and minerals are provided; calorie requirements are carefully calculated. With improved packaging has come better food quality and menus. Astronauts can choose from fruits, nuts, peanut butter, chicken, beef, seafood, candy, brownies, and more. Beverages consist of coffee, tea, orange juice, fruit punches, and lemonade. A meal tray typically holds food containers. The tray becomes the astronaut's dinner plate. It allows the astronaut to choose from several foods at once. The tray also holds the food packages in place and keeps them from floating away. Astronauts use traditional forks, knives, and spoons along with scissors to open packages. Garbage goes into a trash compactor. After breakfast the crew begins the assigned tasks for the day. The work focuses on experiments or performing routine maintenance on equipment.

James S. Voss, Expedition 2 flight engineer, reads while exercising on the cycle ergometer in the Zvezda service module. Click here for a larger image.

Bring Your Treadmill and Guitar to the ISS
Regular exercise is essential for astronauts. The human body loses muscle and bone density in microgravity. A few hours a day strapped to the treadmill or exercise bike helps keep some muscle tone. Regular exercise also helps relieve what is commonly called "space sniffles." Body fluids, which are no longer tugged downward by gravity, accumulate in the head and block sinuses.

It's important for astronauts to have fun, especially if they are on a mission lasting a few months. They need a break from their busy schedules to alleviate stress and to relax. Astronauts bring their guitars and other instruments with them. Playing music together is a great way to relax and enjoy the ride. Looking out the window and observing the Earth below or looking into the deep blackness of space is most crewmembers' favorite pastime. In addition, astronauts can watch movies, read books, play cards, and play games. Regular communication with families is also part of everyone's routine and keeps morale high.