What It Is Like to Live in the International Space Station

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The International Space Station is home to many space experiments that deliver advancements right here on Earth. It is also home to as many as 13 astronauts at a time.

This begs the question: how do these astronauts/scientists even live in space? After all, it's not like being on Earth as there is no gravitational pull. Even simple activities such as taking a shower and using the bathroom then become completely different experiences up in space.

For instance, astronauts can wash up with just a small cloth and a bit of water. This is because thanks to surface tension, water tends to cling to one’s skin when subject to microgravity.

But the bathroom is where things really get freaky! No gravity means poop or pee can fly around and nobody wants that. The ISS has customized bathrooms with a suction fan that allows liquids and solids to be sucked in instead of floating around. 

What else is different up in space? What science, engineering, and technology goes into keeping astronauts safe and comfortable in space? How and what do astronauts eat in space? What other activities do they partake in? We answer all these questions and more in our video.