
International Space Station, credit: https://earthkam.ucsd.edu/future_of_the_iss
- The ISS is about the size of two football fields, with as much habitable space as a three bedroom house
- The ISS is our “testpad” for experiements, space effects on humans, and a great place to practice what to do when things go wrong
- You can see it fly above you each day (see the schedule here: http://spotthestation.nasa.gov/sightings/#.VA9KrMJdW5K)
- As an astronaut, your day is scheduled (sometimes years in advance.) There are set times for sleep, exercise, eating, working, etc.
- You can bring your own music and books, and can email and talk to family once a week
- Everything has to be tied down, or it will float around and get lost
- Astronauts help to keep the space station clean routinely
- You need to exercise onboard. Without gravity your bones lose calcium and your muscles lose mass
- You might do scientific research on board!
- You will need to strap in to use the toilet
- You will rehydrate your food sometimes (but the variety is much better than it used to be!)
- There are movie/DVD nights on the weekends
- You will use waterless shampoo and take towel baths
- Your crew mates will be from different countries
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International Space Station crew, credit: http://www.universetoday.com/12815/i-heart-the-iss-ten-reasons-to-love-the-international-space-station/