Floating Through the Day: Linking Ideas in a Space Report

A Day on the Space Station

1The International Space Station is a large spacecraft that circles Earth. Astronauts from several countries live and work on it, sometimes for months at a time. Life on the station is very different from life at home because almost everything floats. Astronauts have to find new ways to do simple jobs, such as eating, sleeping, and keeping clean.

2Eating in space takes careful planning. Most food comes in sealed packages, and astronauts add water to some meals before they eat them. Astronauts also try to keep their food from making a mess because floating crumbs can get into the equipment. For example, they often eat tortillas instead of bread, since tortillas make fewer crumbs. Salt and pepper come in liquid form, so the tiny grains will not drift around. Another helpful tool is a small food warmer that heats some meals before astronauts eat them.

3Sleeping is different, too. There is no real up or down on the station. An astronaut can sleep in any position. Each astronaut zips into a sleeping bag that is tied to a wall. The bag must be fastened because a sleeping astronaut could slowly drift into the equipment. An astronaut's arms may also float up in front of the body during the night.

4Keeping clean and healthy takes extra work. On the station, water does not pour. Instead, it forms wobbly drops that float through the air. Astronauts do not take showers. They wipe their skin with damp cloths, and they wash their hair with a shampoo that does not need to be rinsed out. Astronauts also exercise for a long time every day because their muscles and bones can grow weak in space. For example, they run on a treadmill while straps hold them down. Another machine lets them do squats and other exercises that work like lifting weights.

5Life on a space station is full of surprises. With clever tools and careful habits, astronauts can eat, sleep, and stay healthy while they float high above Earth.