International
Space Station

Crew members sleep in compact individual cabins attached to the walls or ceilings. Without gravity, there's no "up," so sleeping bags are anchored to prevent floating. The ISS sees 16 sunrises per day — windows are covered to simulate a normal sleep cycle.

Over 200 food and beverage items are available — mostly freeze-dried, thermostabilized, or irradiated. Drinks come in sealed pouches with straws. The station also recycles approximately 90% of all liquid waste, including sweat and urine, back into drinking water.

Microgravity causes muscle loss and bone density reduction. Crew members exercise 2.5 hours every single day using three machines: a treadmill (COLBERT), an advanced resistive exercise device (ARED), and a stationary bike (CEVIS). Without this, long-term health would be impossible.

The ISS is a unique microgravity laboratory that cannot be replicated on Earth. Crew members conduct experiments in biology, physics, astronomy, and materials science. Over 3,000 experiments from 108 countries have been conducted since the station became operational.

There are no showers in space. Crew members use no-rinse soap and shampoo with a small amount of water from a pouch to stay clean. All towels are reusable to minimize waste, and even moisture from the air is recycled.

When not working, astronauts enjoy reading, movies, or the "Cupola"—a 7-window observatory providing a 360-degree view of Earth. Photography is a major hobby, with over 3 million photos taken. Seeing the Earth's fragility from space often changes a person's life.

Staying connected with family is vital for mental health. Astronauts have access to a private IP phone, video conferencing, and high-speed internet. They can send emails, browse the web, and participate in live Q&A sessions with students and the public across the globe.

Maintenance often requires stepping outside. Spacewalks (EVAs) can last up to 8 hours and require specialized pressurized suits. These missions are both mentally and physically exhausting, involving complex repairs or installing new scientific instruments on the station's exterior.