Getting to Know the ISS

The space station is the only laboratory in the world that allows researchers to perform long-term experimentation in microgravity. It allows astronauts to run investigations that are not possible anywhere else, and the information we gather through this has many benefits back on Earth.

The space station is about the size of an American football field including the end zones. It weighs almost one million pounds.

The space station travels at 17,500 MPH or about 5 miles per second. It orbits the Earth about once every 90 minutes. That means the sun will rise and set 16 times a day.

A typical mission is about six months long. However, with NASA’s future long-duration missions, some astronauts have stayed for as long as 340 days to see how microgravity affects the human body during an extended stay in space.

An astronaut can choose from many types of foods such as fruits, nuts, peanut butter, chicken, beef, seafood, candy, brownies, etc. Preparation varies with the food type. Since there is no stove or microwave on the space station, most of the food has already been cooked, then freeze dried and vacuum packed, or it is thermally stabilized, much like camping food. These packages of freeze-dried food can be reconstituted by adding water and then warmed up in a small warming oven. Nutritionists ensure the food astronauts eat provides them with a balanced supply of vitamins and minerals. Food has been prepared in the US and by most other nations which have sent astronauts to live on the ISS.

Space has no "up" or "down," and as a result, astronauts can sleep in any orientation. However, many prefer to attach themselves to something, so they won't float around and bump into anything. Space station crews usually sleep in sleeping bags located in small crew cabins. Each crew cabin is just big enough for one person.

The temperature inside the International Space Station is about 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 22 degrees Celsius. The crew can reset the temperature within a range from about 65 to 80 deg F (18 to 26 deg C). Depending o orientation and airflow, temperatures can vary from one location to another within the interior.

There is no washing machine on the space station, so astronauts must wear their clothes for several days before changing them. Exercise gear is changed weekly, underwear is changed every few days, while shirts and pants can be worn for weeks.

Astronauts are in constant training for space flight. The initial training involves learning about basic space station systems, space walking, and operating the robotic arm. They continue this training while awaiting a mission assignment. Once assigned to a flight, specific training for the mission may take as long as three years. The length of training depends on how complicated the tasks are for the mission. ISS missions require astronauts to speak Russian, which adds time to the training. 

The space station crews can ask mission control to send them shows that they can watch during dinner or off-duty time. They can also watch movies on their laptops. They may bring books, music and musical instruments with them. Some astronauts enjoy hobbies, such as drawing, photography and HAM radio. They might also spend time looking out the window at the beautiful Earth below, listening to music, surfing the web, or corresponding with friends and family back home.