“Being in a spacecraft must be very exciting! Without any restrictions, astronauts can enjoy a fancy life in space!”-is it how you think about the life of an astronaut? If yes, then you should not think this way!
Because the life of astronauts in space is not as fancy as you’re assuming while sitting on a couch and enjoying the salty taste of chips! You would be surprised to know that astronauts have more restrictions than us! The lives of Astronauts are way more different than the lives of people on Earth.
An astronaut’s day is a blend of scientific experiments, technical work, and self-care while being engaged in research to unfold the mystery of space. When astronauts are sent on any scientific mission, they have to be on the spacecraft for longer periods. Their responsibilities are not confined only to conducting any scientific research. Rather they have to regularly check out the maintenance system of the spacecraft and solve any problem. They make sure that everything is operating well in the challenging environment. Surviving in space is nothing less than a tough challenge!
In microgravity, they feel weightlessness which is why they have to be extra-cautious about certain things. The food intake of astronauts in space is not the same as ours. Due to the microgravity force, they can’t consume all foods like us. In the following section, some of the remarkable facts about the food intake of astronauts are highlighted:
- Astronauts avoid crumbly foods like cookies, breads, and crackers as these may float around the spacecraft, exaggerating the safety risk to the astronauts. As microparticles don’t fall on the ground in space, they float around and get into the eyes and noses of astronauts. Instead of crumbly foods, freeze-dried or dehydrated foods are consumed by astronauts.
- As there is no ample scope to plant fresh vegetables or fruits in a spacecraft, astronauts can’t get fresh vegetables or fruits like us. They can consume special candies, nuts, or fruits like apples and oranges to get quick energy. Certain plants like Lettuce and herbs grow in space because of their fast growth rate and small size. Astronauts can get nutrition from these plants as well.
- In microgravity, it is not good for astronauts to digest something that may upset their stomachs or cause an imbalance in their digestive system. It is one of the key reasons that deter astronauts from taking any spicy foods or any fast or unhygienic foods while on a space mission.
- The way we use salt and sugar on Earth is not the same way astronauts use these in space as the microparticles of these items float around the spacecraft and can cause problems for the astronauts. They use essential items like salt and sugar in liquid form.
- Alcohol is strictly prohibited for astronauts because they’re sent on a specific mission that needs focus, attention, and a strong mindset. Sometimes they have to conduct complex research on the spacecraft; for that, they must be fully aware.
- By following a routine and specific diet plan specially designed for space, astronauts can boost their energy levels and maintain a healthy life in the event of unfavorable situations. They have to allot a major portion of their time doing exercises as the microgravity of earth can weaken their bones.
Everything astronauts do must be confined to specific rules and regulations set for them. Sometimes they have to eat some space foods that they don’t like. But they have to consume those to be healthy. As the food options are small in space, they have to eat the available nutritious space foods. Nutrition is comparatively more important than tasty foods and it’s a given.
Astronauts get the real touch of adventure. The difficulty associated with an astronaut’s life is beyond imagination. To be successful in the mission is the only target of astronauts and for that, they have to cope with any adverse situations in space. So, they don’t get too much affected by the restrictions on food intake as their ultimate motive is to execute the mission successfully!
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Writer
Taspia Taher
Intern, Content Writing Department
YSSE