A Day in the Life on the International Space Station (ISS)
— Floating Through a Day Unlike Any Other
🚀 06:00 - Wake-Up Call
Astronauts rise not to the sound of a chirping bird but to an alarm floating beside them. There's no up or down — they sleep in small sleeping bags attached to the walls so they don’t drift off. Personal hygiene includes rinseless shampoo, no running water, and brushing teeth with minimal spit.
☀️ 06:30 - Morning Routine
After getting ready, astronauts check their schedules on tablets — every minute is planned by mission control. A quick breakfast of rehydratable food like scrambled eggs or granola with dried fruit, eaten from a pouch.
🔬 08:00 - Science Experiments
Mornings are often filled with experiments — growing plants in microgravity, testing materials, or studying how the human body changes in space. Since there's no gravity, they must secure everything, including themselves, using Velcro, bungee cords, or foot loops.
🛠️ 10:30 - Station Maintenance
From fixing toilets to checking oxygen levels, astronauts become electricians, plumbers, and mechanics. Even replacing a simple bolt needs careful planning — a loose screw can float and damage systems.
🍽️ 12:30 - Lunch
Meals are scheduled, and again, everything is pre-packaged and either heated or rehydrated. No fresh fruits or bread (crumbs are dangerous!). Tortillas are used instead.
🌍 14:00 - Earth Observation & Outreach
Sometimes, astronauts take photographs of Earth — glowing cities, lightning storms, auroras, and hurricanes. They also connect with schools or news stations via video link, inspiring kids back home.
🏋️ 16:00 - Exercise Time
Two hours of daily exercise is mandatory to prevent muscle and bone loss. They use:
-
Treadmill (with harnesses to stay on it),
-
Cycling machine (without a seat),
-
Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED) to simulate lifting weights.
🌅 19:00 - Dinner & Recreation
Dinner is time to relax and eat together — occasionally with music or a movie. They may call loved ones, read, or look out the window at the stars and Earth.
🌙 21:30 - Sleep
Another 16 sunrises have passed (the ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes). Lights go out, and astronauts zip themselves back into their sleeping bags, drifting into dreams — suspended in space, cradled by silence.
🛰️ Fun Facts:
-
Sunrise & Sunset: 16 times a day!
-
Weight: They feel weightless, but mass and inertia still exist.
-
Water: Is recycled — even urine gets purified and reused.
-
Toilet: Uses airflow to direct waste. Tricky, but it works!
Life in space is disciplined, fascinating, and a constant reminder of how unique Earth is.