Get ready to blast off into the exciting world of space exploration with these 10 fun and fascinating facts about astronauts. Learn about the amazing experiences they have, like smelling space and playing with water bubbles.
Astronauts often experience 'space sickness' when they enter space, causing symptoms like nausea, dizziness, and headaches, similar to motion sickness on Earth.
In the weightless environment of space, astronauts can be propelled backward when they sneeze, and their sneezes can travel up to 20 feet.
In space, astronauts can have fun with water bubbles that behave uniquely without gravity. The bubbles form into spheres and can even create 'water walls'.
To counteract the effects of zero gravity, astronauts dedicate two hours each day to exercise using specialized equipment such as treadmills and resistance bands, ensuring they maintain strength and fitness.
In space, astronauts are unable to shed tears as tears do not fall in the absence of gravity. Instead, tears form into a ball on the eye, which can cause discomfort.
After their return from space, astronauts typically gain about two inches in height because the absence of gravity causes their spine to lengthen.
In space, astronauts are unable to burp due to the absence of gravity, which prevents gas from rising to the top of their stomachs as it does on Earth.
Due to its high-speed orbit, the Space Station completes one orbit around the Earth in just 92 minutes. As a result, astronauts witness 15-16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours, with each occurring approximately every 45 minutes.
In space, astronauts may encounter 'puffy face and bird leg syndrome' caused by fluid redistribution. This phenomenon results in thinner legs and round, swollen faces, giving them a cartoonish appearance.
Astronauts have reported smelling space, which they describe as a combination of gunpowder, seared steak, and welding fumes