Space is a mysterious and fascinating place for us. In movies, we often see astronauts looking at Earth through a window or taking a spacewalk. In real life, living in space is very different from what we imagine. Astronauts sent by organizations like NASA and the European Space Agency encounter interesting situations as they go about their daily lives. Even simple things can work differently in space.
For example, sleeping in space isn't like lying in a bed on Earth. There's no gravity. Astronauts float constantly, and if they don't secure themselves, they could drift and bump into walls while sleeping. That's why they use special sleeping bags attached to walls or fixed points. At first, this might feel strange, but after a while, it becomes normal for them. Many astronauts say that sleeping this way isn't as difficult as one might think.
Eating in space is also different from on Earth. Without gravity, bread crumbs and liquids can float around, which can be risky for both astronauts and electronic equipment. Therefore, meals are usually packaged, dehydrated, or served in special containers. Astronauts often prefer tortillas over bread because they don't create crumbs. Drinks aren't consumed in regular cups either — they use sealed containers with straws.
Here's a surprising fact many people don't know: astronauts can actually get a little taller in space. Without gravity, the pressure on the spine decreases, and the discs between vertebrae expand slightly. As a result, astronauts can grow a few centimeters taller while in space. However, once they return to Earth, gravity compresses their spine again, and their height quickly returns to normal.
Time perception in space is different too. The International Space Station orbits Earth approximately every 90 minutes. This means astronauts see about 16 sunrises and sunsets each day. Experiencing the dark expanse of space followed immediately by the brightly lit Earth can be truly mesmerizing.
Hygiene in space is also unique. Water droplets float, so taking a normal shower isn't possible. Astronauts typically clean themselves with damp towels or special cleansing liquids. Some shampoos don't even need rinsing. In short, living in space is exciting but comes with many adjustments — and despite these challenges, astronauts carry out scientific research and help humanity better understand the universe.