Astronauts have shared insights into their life aboard the International Space Station (ISS), revealing details about daily routines, dealing with space smells, and how they cope with long stays in the isolated environment. Two American astronauts, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore, were supposed to spend eight days on the ISS but have had their return delayed until 2025 due to safety concerns with their spacecraft.
The astronauts now share a space equivalent to a six-bedroom house with nine other crew members. Despite the confined living conditions, the astronauts describe the ISS as their “happy place.”
Former astronauts Nicole Stott, Chris Hadfield, and Helen Sharman spoke to the BBC about the challenges of space life, including how they manage hygiene, exercise, and meals, as well as the infamous “space smell.” Hadfield, who commanded the ISS in 2012-13, described life on the station as peaceful, with large, connected compartments allowing astronauts to sometimes go half a day without seeing others. Tasks include scientific experiments and maintenance, all while wearing monitors that measure how their bodies react to the harsh space environment.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bCoGC532p8
Exercise is critical to counteract the effects of zero gravity, with astronauts spending two hours daily on various machines to maintain muscle mass and bone density. However, laundry remains a challenge, with astronauts re-wearing the same clothes for months at a time, as there’s no system for washing clothes in space.
One peculiar detail shared by the astronauts is the smell in space, particularly after a spacewalk. Objects exposed to the vacuum of space develop a metallic scent due to the interaction of radiation with free radicals. Sharman, who flew to space in 1991, said this is one of the many unique aspects of life aboard a space station.
Despite the challenges, the astronauts emphasized how awe-inspiring it is to see Earth from space, and how it often gives them a renewed appreciation for the planet. All three expressed their willingness to return to space, with Hadfield noting that an extended stay in orbit is a dream for professional astronauts.
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