The International Space Station (ISS): All About ISS and Astronaut’s Work life in Space

The International Space Station (ISS)

The International Space Station (ISS) is not only one of the most impressive engineering feats of all time, it also makes for easy stargazing. Find out where and when to look in the night sky and you can catch a glimpse of the orbiting space lab that hundreds of astronauts have called home. It is  possible to see the ISS from almost anywhere on Earth, including major cities. Facts about the International Space Station (ISS) are:

1. Continuous Occupancy: The ISS has been continuously inhabited since November 2000. An international crew of seven people lives and works aboard the station, orbiting Earth at a speed of five miles per second. During crew handovers, sometimes more astronauts are aboard.
2. Orbiting Earth: In just 24 hours, the ISS completes an impressive 16 orbits around our planet. That means it travels through 16 sunrises and sunsets during a single day.
3. Peggy Whitson’s Record: On September 2, 2017, astronaut Peggy Whitson set the U.S. record for spending the most total time living and working in space: a remarkable 665 days.
4. Living Space: The ISS provides a living and working space larger than a six-bedroom house. It includes six sleeping quarters, two bathrooms, a gym, and even a 360-degree view bay window.
5. Solar Arrays: To power the station, the ISS has eight main solar arrays. Recently, the crew installed new International Space Station Roll-Out Solar Arrays (IROSAs) to enhance its energy production.
6. Global Collaboration: Five space agencies—NASA, Roscosmos, ESA, JAXA, and CSA—have contributed to assembling and maintaining the ISS. It truly represents international cooperation in space exploration.

How do Astronauts Exercise on the ISS

Astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) follow a rigorous exercise regimen to combat the effects of microgravity on their bodies. Here are the primary exercise devices they use:

1. Advanced Resistive Exercise Device (ARED): Installed in 2008, ARED mimics weightlifting by using a piston and flywheel system. It provides loading to simulate resistance training in weightlessness. A current investigation is analyzing its effects on the body in microgravity to optimize workout programs before, during, and after spaceflight.
2. Treadmills: The ISS has two treadmills that astronauts use to simulate walking and running as they would in normal gravity. One of these treadmills is named COLBERT.
3. Cycle Ergometer with Vibration Isolation and Stabilization System (CEVIS): CEVIS, installed in 2001 and upgraded in 2023, is a stationary bike. It uses friction and resistance and is computer-controlled to maintain an accurate workload. Data collected by CEVIS suggests that up to 17% of astronauts could experience muscle performance loss, bone health issues, and reduced cardiorespiratory fitness if current exercise countermeasures continue.