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Living in Space

Life Aboard the International Space Station

For more than two decades, people have lived and worked continuously aboard the International Space Station. Read through frequently asked questions about how astronauts spend time aboard the orbiting laboratory.

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Expedition 68 crew members gather in the International Space Station’s Destiny laboratory module to participate in an evening conference with station mission controllers (Credit: NASA).

The Human Body in Space

Spaceflight affects bones, muscles, vision, and more. Learn about the changes humans may undergo during spaceflight, as well as the steps NASA takes to keep astronauts healthy and safe.

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Health Care in Space

Read through frequently asked questions about how NASA and its team of medical physicians, psychologists, nutritionists, exercise scientists, and other specialized caretakers ensure astronauts’ health and fitness.

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NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson swaps out sample processors for the Pharmaceutical In-space Laboratory experiment that is exploring the production and manufacturing of medicines to benefit astronauts in space and humans on Earth (Credit: NASA).

Houston We Have a Podcast: Space Hygiene

Crew systems operations instructors for NASA answer top questions about space hygiene and explain how astronauts are trained to shower, shave, and go to the bathroom in space.

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NASA astronaut Serena Auñón-Chancellor performs plumbing duties inside the International Space Station’s toilet, also known as the Waste and Hygiene Compartment, located in the station’s U.S. Tranquility module (Credit: NASA).

Research in Space

While aboard the International Space Station, crew members conduct scientific experiments and technology demonstrations to benefit life on Earth and prepare for NASA's future human exploration efforts.

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NASA's Curious Universe: How to Grow Plants in Space

As humanity sets its sights on life in space, we are going to need ways to sustain ourselves. Learn about the plant processing area at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.

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A graphic that has the words "NASA's Curious Universe" in the center in white letters. There are trees and hills against an orange sky, a depiction of a sounding rocket, NASA's X59 aircraft, people, a waxing crescent Moon, and 3 exoplanets.
Our universe is a wild and wonderful place. Join NASA astronauts, scientists and engineers on a new adventure each episode — all you need is your curiosity. Learn about lunar mysteries, break through the sound barrier, and search for life among the stars (Credit: NASA).

Extended Stays in Space

Astronauts often spend extended amount of time in space, helping to pave the way for even longer, future exploration missions. These missions help researchers better understand how the human body adapts to the extreme environment of space for more distant missions.

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Voting in Space

NASA astronauts aboard the International Space Station have the opportunity to vote in elections through absentee ballot, or early voting in coordination with the county clerk’s office where they live.

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Celebrating Flag Day on June 14, 2015, NASA astronaut Scott Kelly took this photograph in the cupola of the International Space Station.
The American flag inside the cupola of the International Space Station (Credits: NASA).

Celebrating the Holidays in Space

Crew members aboard the International Space Station celebrate the holiday season in a unique way while living and working at the orbiting laboratory.

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A woman with short, dark hair and wearing a Santa hat, maroon shirt, and khaki pants smiles with arms outspread while floating in microgravity in front of Christmas stockings.
ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti pictured aboard the International Space Station (Credit: NASA).

Small Steps, Giant Leap: Living in Space

NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson discusses 20 years of continuous human presence on the International Space Station.

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NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson trims NASA astronaut Suni Williams hair aboard the International Space Station's Columbus laboratory module.
NASA astronaut Tracy C. Dyson trims NASA astronaut Suni Williams hair aboard the International Space Station (Credit: NASA).

NASA's Curious Universe: A Day in Space

Join NASA astronauts Shane Kimbrough, Megan McArthur, and ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet throughout a day living and working aboard the International Space Station.

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Crew-2 members in a photo op
NASA’s SpaceX Crew-2 pictured (left to right) ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Thomas Pesquet, NASA astronauts Megan McArthur and Shane Kimbrough, and JAXA (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency) astronaut Akihiko Hoshide (Credit: SpaceX).

5 Hazards of Human Spaceflight

Astronauts encounter five hazards as they journey through space. Recognizing these hazards allows NASA to seek ways that overcome the challenges of sending humans to the International Space Station, the Moon, Mars, and beyond.

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Spacewalks

While at the International Space Station, astronauts conduct spacewalks, also known as extravehicular activities (EVA), in support of space station assembly, maintenance, and upgrades.

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Analog Missions

Analog missions prepare us for near-term and future exploration to asteroids, Mars, and the Moon. NASA works with government agencies, academia, and industry to gather requirements for testing in harsh environments before they are used in space.

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