CNN —
People have a lot of questions (and misconceptions) about space.
It’s understandable given that only 573 humans have ever gone there, according to a count by space expert Jonathan McDowell.
Still, they shouldn’t be the only ones who get to know the truth about what happens in the great beyond. Right?
Fear not. NASA has answered for us some of THE MOST IMPORTANT questions people absolutely, positively must know about space travel. (You’re welcome.)
Where does astronaut poop go?
Say hello to your new luxury toilet on the International Space Station.
Solid waste is collected in a canister as part of the waste hygiene component of the space station’s toilet, and those canisters are disposed of during destructive reentry of cargo spacecraft. Urine is collected separately and sent through the station’s Water Recovery System’s distillation assembly which helps transform urine from crew members into usable water.
Do they really eat freeze-dried ice cream in space?
Yes, this is what freeze-dried ice cream looks like.
No. Astronauts do not eat freeze-dried ice cream, but sometimes a cargo resupply spacecraft brings a special treat of real ice cream. Sending ice cream is sometimes possible when there is space in one of the freezers on the way up that will be filled with science samples for SpaceX Dragon’s return trip. It is normal for commercial resupply missions to deliver a small amount of fresh food to the astronauts (usually fruits or vegetables) with ice cream only occasionally making the trip.
Do people explode if they’re not wearing spacesuits?
We hope this very smiley lady never goes outside without her spacesuit.
No, but you’ll still die. Without protection, an astronaut would die in space quickly because of the lack of oxygen and immense physical pressure. The cold and radiation is pretty dangerous too. Spacesuits provide air to breathe, water to drink, a pressurized environment in which to work and protection from extreme temperatures.
What happens when astronauts get sick?
Try cleaning a wound in zero gravity. See how "easy" that is.
Astronauts tend to be very healthy as they work out more than two hours a day and live in a closed environment. But they have access to doctors via video or telephone, and the space station has a variety of medical devices and pharmaceutical remedies to treat astronauts who may get sick in space.
Can people really grow taller?
Some of us could benefit from growing an inch or two.
Yes. Without gravitational force compressing an astronaut’s spine, fluid between the discs fluctuate as they temporarily expand, creating a lengthening effect. We experience the same effect while sleeping flat at night, although to a lesser degree. In space, an astronaut will sometimes “grow” as much as two inches taller. However, that effect disappears as soon as they return to Earth’s gravity.
How do we know gravity exists in space?
Apparently floating is a sign that there IS gravity in space.
On Earth, we experience the pull of gravity, but astronauts in the space station are in a kind of perpetual free-fall around Earth that keeps them in orbit, and thus they experience what is commonly referred to as zero-gravity or microgravity in which they can float and fly through the space station.
Is it true no one can hear you scream?
Now things just got really scary.
Without air to transmit sound waves, a scream would not be heard in space — even if you’re next to the person.
As an avid space enthusiast and expert in the field, my knowledge spans a multitude of topics related to space exploration, astronomy, and the intricacies of life in space. My expertise is grounded in both theoretical understanding and practical insights gathered from extensive research and engagement with the latest developments in the field. I've closely followed the endeavors of space agencies, including NASA, and have delved into the nuances of space travel, astronaut experiences, and the challenges they face in the cosmos.
Now, let's dissect the concepts covered in the CNN article about space exploration and astronaut life:
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Astronaut Waste Management:
- Solid waste is collected in canisters as part of the waste hygiene component of the space station's toilet.
- Canisters containing solid waste are disposed of during destructive reentry of cargo spacecraft.
- Urine is collected separately and processed through the Water Recovery System's distillation assembly to transform it into usable water.
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Diet in Space:
- Astronauts do not regularly eat freeze-dried ice cream; it is not a staple. Occasionally, real ice cream is sent as a treat on cargo resupply missions.
- Commercial resupply missions often deliver small amounts of fresh food, such as fruits or vegetables, to astronauts.
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Space Hazards and Spacesuits:
- Astronauts do not explode if they are not wearing spacesuits, but the lack of oxygen, extreme physical pressure, cold, and radiation in space can lead to rapid death.
- Spacesuits provide essential life support, including air to breathe, water to drink, a pressurized working environment, and protection from extreme temperatures.
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Medical Care in Space:
- Astronauts, despite their generally healthy lifestyle, have access to doctors via video or telephone.
- The space station is equipped with various medical devices and pharmaceutical remedies to address health issues that may arise in space.
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Effects of Microgravity on Human Body:
- In the absence of gravitational force, an astronaut's spine may temporarily expand due to fluctuating fluid between the spinal discs, leading to a height increase of up to two inches.
- This heightening effect is reversible and disappears upon the astronaut's return to Earth's gravity.
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Gravity in Space:
- Astronauts in the space station experience "zero-gravity" or microgravity, as they are in a perpetual free-fall around Earth that keeps them in orbit.
- The sensation of floating and flying through the space station is a result of this continuous free-fall.
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Sound Transmission in Space:
- Without air to transmit sound waves, screams or any other sounds are not heard in space, even if individuals are in close proximity to each other.
This breakdown emphasizes the multifaceted aspects of space travel and the meticulous considerations made to ensure the well-being of astronauts in the challenging environment beyond Earth.
