40+ Weird Details About Astronauts’ Everyday Lives in Space

Some Earthlings foster the dream of going to space someday. With thoughts of the vast beyond in their heads, many potential astronauts set off on their course. However, life above the clouds isn’t simple, to say the least. We’ve seen some historic moments and heard conspiracy theories about odd things astronauts see in space, but we don’t usually talk about details of what life is like aboard the ISS — until now.

Rehearsing the Walk

Spacewalking seems extremely cool and glamorous from far away, and in all honesty, it is. Astronauts often term EVAs — short for Extravehicular Activities (or spacewalks) — as some of the most memorable moments of their visit to space.

However, spacewalks are as dangerous as they are exciting. Even before entering the ISS, space workers must practice on a life-size model under a huge tank of water. You can’t simply throw your spacesuit on and take a walk outside once you’re on board. Even something as minor as suiting up requires a 100-page checklist!

It Feels Like Vacuum Cleaner

Sleeping isn’t the easiest of tasks in space. Some astronauts attempt floating free during that time but it’s tricky as they might end up crashing into air vents or other machinery. The majority of the space travelers choose to curl up into their sleeping bags and mount themselves into a sleeping nook.

This doesn’t ensure a peaceful sleep, though. As warm air doesn’t rise there, exhaled breath simply bubbles close to their face. The noise coupled with the cold has astronauts feeling like they’re living inside a vacuum cleaner.

Velcro and Scissors

The food up in space has to live through the rigors of traveling to it. There can’t be any spills or it will clog instruments. The very first astronauts had to drink their food through tubes filled with pureed fruit, meat, and veggies — not the tastiest.

After some time, NASA brought out dehydrated and freeze-dried meals plastic-sealed to perfection. The hardest part is still eating. Velcro, straps, and tethered tools cover the tables on the ISS to prevent the room from turning into a slow-mo food fight.

No Time for Romance

Astronauts live and work within close proximity of each other, perfectly setting up the premise for a new romance to bloom. A newly married couple, Jan Davis and Mark Lee, even flew together. NASA prohibits that now. Astronauts vouch that there’s absolutely no time for getting cozy in space.

Plus, knowing space, it would be quite difficult since people would keep flying apart, or the blood flow would decrease. In addition, the lack of privacy would be pretty off-putting.