More Challenges About Living on the ISS

Adjusting to microgravity is the primary concern of any new astronaut that comes aboard the ISS. Microgravity refers to the low amount of gravity which is artificially generated on the International Space Station to allow the astronauts to function. It allows them to float from one area to another by simply pulling or pushing themselves around. However it can also lead to some amount of motion sickness in new arrivals who are unaccustomed to the sensation.

Eating food is not the most pleasurable experience on the ISS. Most food loses flavour in the processing it undergoes to become ready to eat in space. This is why foods with a strong flavour such as prawn cocktails, Japanese food and spicier Indian curries seem to become more popular with the astronauts. The taste-buds of astronauts may also change when in outer space but there is no consensus on what happens. Some claim reduction in taste while others say tastes get highlighted more than usual.

Hygiene is again no where near what you would expect on Earth. The urine on the ISS is actually filtered and recycled back in to the supply of drinking water. The solid wastes are collected in bags from the toilet and hauled away by the cargo ships that visit the ISS regularly for supply runs. Having a shower is impossible, but wipes are found in plenty. Washing hair is done with a no rinse shampoo and they have to be really careful as they can’t afford to let bits of water float around and short circuit the electronics on board. Make a science project on what you can expect as an astronaut on the ISS.