Eating and sleeping off Earth
Microgravity changes how food is prepared and how sleep is organized. Astronauts use specialized packaging, meal planning, and sleep stations to maintain nutrition and rest in space.
Food and meals:
- Ready-to-eat thermostabilized, freeze-dried, or irradiated foods are common.
- Meals are rehydrated or warmed; packaging prevents crumbs and spills.
- Nutrition is planned to meet caloric and micronutrient needs during missions.
Sleep habits:
- Crew members use individual sleep stations with sleeping bags strapped to walls to prevent drifting.
- Light cycles and schedules maintain circadian rhythms; mission control coordinates sleep windows.
- Noise, station activity, and microgravity can affect sleep, so crew routines and quiet hours are enforced.
Good nutrition and quality sleep are essential for performance, health, and recovery during spaceflight, and systems evolve as missions grow longer and more autonomous.