Everyday Things You Can’t Do in Space: From Crying to Burping, Here’s What Changes Without Gravity
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Living in space isn’t just about floating in zero gravity or gazing at Earth from above. It’s about adapting to a world where even the most basic human actions - like crying or sneezing - don’t work the way they do on Earth. Life aboard a spacecraft demands ingenuity, training, and resilience. Here’s a look at some surprising things astronauts simply can’t do normally in space, and how they cope.
1. Tears Don’t Fall
Crying in space doesn’t offer the same emotional release. Without gravity, tears form floating bubbles that gather around the eyes instead of rolling down your cheeks.
2. Walking Becomes Floating
Forget jogging or taking a stroll - there’s no ground to walk on. Astronauts rely on handrails and special treadmills with harnesses to simulate walking and running.
3. Toilets Use Suction, Not Gravity
Space toilets are high-tech and quirky. Astronauts strap in, and waste is whisked away by suction systems since gravity isn’t there to do the job.
4. No Showers Allowed
Showering is a luxury that doesn’t exist in orbit. Instead, astronauts use wet wipes and no-rinse shampoos to stay clean.
5. Beds Are Replaced With Sleeping Bags
With no up or down, astronauts sleep in sleeping bags secured to the walls so they don’t drift around while snoozing.
6. Bread Is Banned
Crumbly bread is a hazard in space - it can damage equipment or be accidentally inhaled. Soft, crumb-free tortillas are the safer substitute.
7. Pens Need Pressure
Normal pens fail in microgravity because ink won’t flow. Special pressurised pens are used to write aboard spacecraft.
8. Burping Is Risky Business
Burping in space can lead to unexpected results - like vomiting - because liquids and gases don’t separate naturally in zero gravity.
9. No Laundry Days
Washing machines don’t exist in space. Astronauts wear clothes multiple times and discard them when they’re too dirty to use.
10. Food Tastes Dull
Fluid shifts in the body cause nasal congestion, muting the sense of taste. That’s why space food often comes with bold flavours and sauces.
11. Fires Are Forbidden
Open flames are unpredictable in microgravity, so lighting a match or candle is a strict no-no on spacecraft.
12. Smells Linger Longer
Air doesn’t circulate the same way, making it harder to clear out odours. Even with filtration systems, certain smells just hang around.
13. No Alcohol Allowed
Alcohol is banned in space due to its impact on judgment and fluid regulation—two things already affected by zero gravity.
14. Pouring Becomes a Science
You can’t pour water or juice like you would at home. Fluids float around in blobs and need to be handled with special containers.
15. Silence Isn’t Golden
There’s never true silence in space. The constant hum of life-support systems and equipment fills the cabin around the clock.
16. Sneezing Takes Practice
In a spacesuit, sneezing is tricky. Astronauts are trained to sneeze into their collars to keep helmet visors clean and clear.
Everyday acts we take for granted on Earth become puzzles in space. These unusual limitations highlight not only the challenges astronauts face but also the brilliance of human adaptation. As we move towards more frequent space missions and a future in deep space exploration, these small but crucial lifestyle tweaks remind us just how unique life on Earth truly is.
1. Tears Don’t Fall
Crying in space doesn’t offer the same emotional release. Without gravity, tears form floating bubbles that gather around the eyes instead of rolling down your cheeks.
2. Walking Becomes Floating
Forget jogging or taking a stroll - there’s no ground to walk on. Astronauts rely on handrails and special treadmills with harnesses to simulate walking and running.
3. Toilets Use Suction, Not Gravity
Space toilets are high-tech and quirky. Astronauts strap in, and waste is whisked away by suction systems since gravity isn’t there to do the job.
4. No Showers Allowed
Showering is a luxury that doesn’t exist in orbit. Instead, astronauts use wet wipes and no-rinse shampoos to stay clean.
5. Beds Are Replaced With Sleeping Bags
With no up or down, astronauts sleep in sleeping bags secured to the walls so they don’t drift around while snoozing.
6. Bread Is Banned
Crumbly bread is a hazard in space - it can damage equipment or be accidentally inhaled. Soft, crumb-free tortillas are the safer substitute.
7. Pens Need Pressure
Normal pens fail in microgravity because ink won’t flow. Special pressurised pens are used to write aboard spacecraft.
8. Burping Is Risky Business
Burping in space can lead to unexpected results - like vomiting - because liquids and gases don’t separate naturally in zero gravity.
9. No Laundry Days
Washing machines don’t exist in space. Astronauts wear clothes multiple times and discard them when they’re too dirty to use.
10. Food Tastes Dull
Fluid shifts in the body cause nasal congestion, muting the sense of taste. That’s why space food often comes with bold flavours and sauces.
11. Fires Are Forbidden
Open flames are unpredictable in microgravity, so lighting a match or candle is a strict no-no on spacecraft.
12. Smells Linger Longer
Air doesn’t circulate the same way, making it harder to clear out odours. Even with filtration systems, certain smells just hang around.
13. No Alcohol Allowed
Alcohol is banned in space due to its impact on judgment and fluid regulation—two things already affected by zero gravity.
14. Pouring Becomes a Science
You can’t pour water or juice like you would at home. Fluids float around in blobs and need to be handled with special containers.
15. Silence Isn’t Golden
There’s never true silence in space. The constant hum of life-support systems and equipment fills the cabin around the clock.
16. Sneezing Takes Practice
In a spacesuit, sneezing is tricky. Astronauts are trained to sneeze into their collars to keep helmet visors clean and clear.
Everyday acts we take for granted on Earth become puzzles in space. These unusual limitations highlight not only the challenges astronauts face but also the brilliance of human adaptation. As we move towards more frequent space missions and a future in deep space exploration, these small but crucial lifestyle tweaks remind us just how unique life on Earth truly is.
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