18 Living In Space

Living In Space written by John Lockyer

space shuttle What is out in space? Many astronauts have been there to find this out. Early astronauts flew around the Earth in rockets. Some astronauts landed on the Moon and other astronauts flew into space and back again, in shuttles. Many astronauts used space shuttles to help them build large satellites called space stations. Astronauts live and work in and around space stations.

training underwater There is no gravity in space so everything floats. It looks like fun but astronauts have to train hard to learn how to do everything while they are floating. Being in space is almost like being underwater. Before they go into space, astronauts train by moving around and working in a large swimming pool while wearing a spacesuit.

eating in space Cooking in space is almost impossible because nothing will stay in a pot or a pan. Most food on a space shuttle or space station is already cooked and in a packet. Astronauts heat the strange food or squeeze it straight out of the packet and into their mouths. When eating their meals, some astronauts use a tray with velcro strips to hold everything in place. Other astronauts eat and drink while floating next to their food.

cleaning in space Astronauts must keep their living and working spaces clean. There are no doctors or hospitals in space so no one wants to get sick. Every day the station's surfaces are cleaned and the air and water supplies are tested for germs. garbage ship Garbage on a space station is loaded onto a small spacecraft. When the spacecraft is full it is sent back to Earth. When it hits the Earth's atmosphere, the spacecraft and the garbage burn up so there is nothing left.

space toilet There are no showers or baths on a space station. Astronauts use a damp sponge or towel to wash. They also use shampoo gel to clean their hair. When they brush their teeth, they keep their mouth closed so the toothpaste doesn't float away. Astronauts use a special space toilet. Like a vacuum cleaner, the toilet sucks the waste away. The waste liquids are turned into drinking water and the waste solids are burned out in space.