Inside The $150 Billion International Space Station

Summary

This video takes you on a fascinating tour of the International Space Station (ISS), highlighting its design, daily life aboard, and the groundbreaking science conducted. From the station’s compact, six-bedroom-like volume to unique challenges like vacuum toilets, microgravity workouts, and maintaining bone density, the video explores how astronauts live and work at 5 miles per second. Key features include international modules, clever exercise equipment, and even musical instruments brought along by astronauts. With 3,000 experiments to date, the ISS is a marvel of collaboration, pushing boundaries in science and human endurance.

Takeaways

• 🚀 The International Space Station (ISS) travels at 5 miles per second and completes one orbit around Earth every 93 minutes.
• 🏠 Despite its large size, the internal space astronauts live in is comparable to a six-bedroom house.
• 🌍 The ISS is a global collaboration with contributions from the U.S., Russia, Japan, and the European Space Agency.
• 💤 Astronauts experience 16 sunrises and sunsets each day, making sleep challenging; many use earplugs to block out noises caused by structural flexing.
• 🚽 Toilets on the ISS use vacuum systems to manage waste, with liquid waste recycled into drinking water and air.
• 💪 Astronauts work out for at least two hours daily to counteract the loss of bone density and muscle atrophy caused by microgravity.
• 🔬 Over 3,000 scientific experiments have been conducted aboard the ISS, contributing to advances in fields like cancer drug testing and 3D printing.
• 🔧 Astronauts must be versatile, acting as plumbers, electricians, and engineers while managing the station’s maintenance.
• 🍴 Most food on the ISS is dehydrated or irradiated for safety, with tortillas preferred over bread to avoid crumbs floating in the air.
• 🎸 In their leisure time, astronauts engage in hobbies like playing musical instruments, with some even broadcasting performances from space.

Q & A

How fast does the International Space Station (ISS) travel?

The ISS travels at a speed of about 5 miles per second, completing an orbit around Earth every 93 minutes.

What is the internal volume of the ISS compared to a typical house?

The internal volume of the ISS is similar to that of a six-bedroom house.

Which countries and space agencies have contributed modules to the ISS?

The ISS includes modules from the United States, Russia, Japan, and the European Space Agency. Notable modules include Destiny, Unity, Quest, and Harmony from the US; Zarya and Zvezda from Russia; Kibo from Japan; and Columbus from the European Space Agency.

Why do astronauts wear earplugs while sleeping on the ISS?

Astronauts wear earplugs because the ISS structure can flex and pop due to temperature changes when the sun rises and sets up to 16 times a day, creating noise that can disturb sleep.

How do toilets work on the ISS?

The toilets on the ISS use a vacuum system to manage waste. Liquid waste is purified into drinking water and breathable air, while solid waste is contained in bags. This system avoids the need for water flushing, which would be impractical in space.

Why is exercise important for astronauts on the ISS?

Exercise is crucial to prevent muscle and bone atrophy in microgravity, where gravity doesn’t pull against the body’s musculoskeletal system as it does on Earth. Exercise also helps relieve ‘space snuffles’ caused by fluid buildup in the head.

What are the main pieces of exercise equipment available on the ISS?

The ISS has a treadmill with a vibration isolation system, an exercise bike without a saddle, and the Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED), which simulates weightlifting with resistance up to 600 pounds.

What type of scientific research is conducted on the ISS?

Research on the ISS spans various fields, including quantum physics with the Cold Atom Laboratory, studies of microbial life in the Life Sciences Glovebox, and numerous experiments contributing to advancements in 3D printing, natural disaster tracking, and cancer drug testing.

How do astronauts prevent losing tools in the microgravity environment of the ISS?

To prevent losing tools, astronauts use Velcro strips on objects and surfaces. They also use handrails to move around, as there is no up or down in microgravity.

What types of leisure activities do astronauts engage in on the ISS?

Astronauts on the ISS engage in various leisure activities, such as playing musical instruments (e.g., guitar, flutes, trumpet), building models like the LEGO ISS set, and enjoying the view from the station's cupola.