What life is like on board the International Space Station

What life is like on board the International Space Station Today’s Video of the Day comes from Science @ NASA and features a look at life for astronauts on board the International Space Station.

NASA astronaut Kjell Lindgren discusses his first expedition to the space station in July 2015.

“On the International Space Station we’re testing technologies that will allow us to live comfortably during long journeys into the solar system,” said Lindgren. “Our life support systems provide a properly pressurized atmosphere with the right amount of oxygen; it scrubs carbon dioxide from the air; keeps the temperature in a comfortable range; and provides fresh water, light, and everything we need for good hygiene.” Well, as you’re reading this, there are people living in space, 250 miles above Earth, orbiting our planet once every 92 minutes. In fact, since November 2, 2000, astronauts from different countries around the world have been living and working together aboard the giant floating laboratory known as the International Space Station (ISS). 

Often, astronauts will work separately, focusing on their own experiments. They come together for space walks, when they get suited up and do experiments on the outside of the station or repair hardware. This doesn’t happen every day because it’s quite dangerous. In reality, the space station has a sunrise and sunset every 90 minutes, because it travels around the earth 16 times a day. During the working day, everything astronauts do is monitored from the ground – it’s like being in a lab with controllers in the next room. Often, astronauts will work separately, focusing on their own experiments.

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By Rory Arnold, Earth.com Staff Writer

Video Credit: NASA