7things astronauts cannot do: No crying
Astronauts face many restrictions that make their daily lives very different from life on Earth
There is no doubt that space travel is full of amazing experiences and exciting discoveries. However, astronauts face many restrictions that make their daily lives very different from life on Earth. From food and drink restrictions, to the difficulty of personal hygiene, to the impossibility of performing some normal activities such as crying or living freely, all of these restrictions make life in space a unique challenge.
Also among the most prominent of these challenges is dealing with microgravity that affects the body and the daily activities that we naturally practice on the surface of the Earth.
Also among the most prominent of these challenges is dealing with microgravity that affects the body and the daily activities that we naturally practice on the surface of the Earth. Astronauts also have to deal with isolation, stress and boredom that can affect their mental health and performance. Hence, they have to follow strict rules and protocols that can limit their freedom and creativity.
But what are some things that astronauts couldn't do in space even if they wanted to? In this report, we will explore seven of them, and how they adapt to them, to understand in some way the challenges that fall on them and cost them a lot of their comfort for the sake of new discovery or research.
Crying
Crying is a natural and healthy way to express emotions, but it can't be done the same way in space. Without gravity, tears don't fall down your cheeks, but bubbles form around your eyes. These bubbles can be uncomfortable and obstruct vision, so astronauts have to wipe them away with a tissue or towel all the time.
Normal sleep
Astronauts cannot afford the luxury we have on Earth, of sleeping on a comfortable mattress for long hours, lying down and rocking left and right at will.
This is due to the lack of gravity that prevents them from such natural practices. Therefore, they are forced to resort to another trick that may seem completely uncomfortable to us, but they have become accustomed to it out of necessity. They sleep in a sitting position using special sleeping bags tied to the walls of the space station to prevent them from floating during sleep. In addition to seat belts to install them.
Eat bread
Bread is a staple food for many people on Earth, but it is forbidden in space. The reason is that bread crumbs can easily float up and get into sensitive equipment or the crew's eyes and noses.
Instead of bread, astronauts use tortillas, which are less crumbly and more durable. Tortillas can also be used to make sandwiches, wraps, and even pizza.
According to the Franklin Institute, the only people to ever eat bread in space are the astronauts of NASA's Gemini 3 mission of 1965, where John Young swiped a canned beef sandwich on the flight.
Writing with a regular pen
In the unique space environment where life is without gravity, traditional pens fail to write and achieve the purpose for which they were created, so, NASA tried to invent a new solution.
NASA designed an ergonomically designed pen that can be written with in any position, even upside down, using pressurized gas to propel the ink.
This innovation has proven its effectiveness, working effectively in extreme temperatures and underwater. This pen was originally invented in collaboration with Fisher Pen Company in 1965, and has since replaced regular pens in space.
Bathing
Bathing is a luxury that astronauts must give up during their flight. This is due to several reasons, the first of which is that water is scarce and requires a lot of costs to transport, and it can also cause problems if it leaks and forms droplets in the air.
Instead of showering, astronauts use wet wipes, leave-in shampoo and pre-mixed soapy water to clean themselves. They also use towels to dry themselves and dispose of them after several uses.
According to Space.com, excess water from washing hair is converted into drinking water through a water treatment system.
Intimate relationships
Having sex in space is a controversial and complex topic. NASA has not officially confirmed whether or not this has happened, but there are many challenges and risks involved.
Arguably one of the reasons this is impossible is the difficulty of obtaining privacy on a crowded and monitored space station. Another reason is that microgravity can affect astronauts' blood flow, as well as make it difficult to maintain stability.
Furthermore, this can lead to ethical problems among crew members, and may lead to unwanted pregnancies or injuries. Therefore, this is strictly prohibited as it may jeopardize the mission and crew safety.
Drink alcohol
In space, drinking alcohol is prohibited for health and safety reasons, as it can impair the performance and control of astronauts, and it can also interact with the medications they take, and cause them serious health problems.
Furthermore, alcohol can affect astronauts' fluid balance and blood pressure, which are already affected by microgravity.
According to the Franklin Institute, alcohol was once proposed in 1972 as part of astronauts' meals, but it did not reach the space station after the proposal caused public outrage from specialists and experts objecting to astronauts drinking during their highly sensitive mission.
Despite these limitations, the dream of space remains a long-standing human dream. Human curiosity and desire to explore the universe have no limits. Indeed, despite the challenges, astronauts succeeded in achieving great achievements that helped to understand the universe better.
Thus, while we look at astronauts with admiration, we must also remember the sacrifices they make and the challenges they face. Life in space is not easy. Rather, it is a journey full of restrictions and obligations, but it is a journey worth the effort for the sake of knowledge and human progress.
Source: websites