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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Staying Healthy in Space
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7 min read
Experiments to Unlock How Human Bodies React to Long Space Journeys
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6 min read
Astronaut Exercise
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5 min read
Station Science 101: Studying DNA in Space
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7 min read
Counteracting Bone and Muscle Loss in Microgravity
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5 min read
NASA Harnesses US Navy Spinning Device to Simulate Spaceflight
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6 min read
Isolation – What Can We Learn From the Experiences of NASA Astronauts?
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6 min read
New Tests Evaluate Mission Readiness of Astronauts Upon Landing
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5 min read
Scientists Probe How Long-Term Spaceflight Alters Immunity
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).
Featured Video
Drinking Coffee in Space
Sometimes coffee is out of this world. Whether it’s sipping from the space cup or through a drink bag, learn how astronauts enjoy coffee aboard the International Space Station.
Watch NowFood in Space
Featured Video
How to Use Bathroom in Space
NASA astronaut Chris Cassidy explains how astronauts use the bathroom aboard the International Space Station.
Watch NowHygiene in Space
Featured Video
How to Wash Hair in Space
NASA astronaut Karen Nyberg demonstrates how she washes and rinses her hair aboard the International Space Station.
Watch NowHouston 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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Human Research
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10 min read
Space Station Leads to Breakthroughs in Human Health on Earth
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5 min read
Space Station Provides a Platform for Seeking Better Cancer Treatments
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7 min read
Tissue Chips Investigate Diseases, Test Drugs on the Space Station
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3 min read
Cardiovascular Health in Microgravity
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8 min read
Crystallizing Proteins in Space Helping to Identify Potential Treatments for Diseases
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2 min read
Improving Eye Surgery with Space Technology
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9 min read
Human Research: Studying Astronaut Physiology
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3 min read
Using Microgravity to Combat COVID-19
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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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).
Space Gardening
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3 min read
NASA: Let’s Ketchup on International Space Station Tomato Research
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6 min read
Station Science 101: Plant Research
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3 min read
Can Space Gardening Help Astronauts Cope With Isolation?
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4 min read
NASA Teams Persevere Through Plant Challenges in Space
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4 min read
Mission Commander Thrives as ‘Space Gardener’
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10 min read
So You Want to Be a Space Farmer…
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4 min read
Space Gardens
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1 min read
Why Do We Grow Plants in Space?
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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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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ESA (European Space Agency) astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti pictured aboard the International Space Station (Credit: NASA).
FEATURED video
Tour the International Space Station
NASA astronaut Suni Williams gives a tour of the International Space Station, including the crew’s sleeping quarters and hygiene station.
Watch NowSmall 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 (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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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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FEATURED video
Hazards of Human Spaceflight Video Playlist
Exploration to the Moon and Mars will expose astronauts to five known hazards of spaceflight. Watch all five videos detailing each hazard.
Watch NowSpacewalks
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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Spacewalk Basics
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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Steps to Mars
Featured VideoS
NASA Groundlink Episodes: HERA Missions
Ever wondered how NASA studies what life would be like in deep space without leaving Earth? Take a peek into the lives of crew on a simulated mission to Mars. Confined inside NASA’s Human Exploration Research Analog (HERA), these crew share how they maintain their privacy, build strong group dynamics, cope with missing their families, adapt to unexpected circumstances, and more.
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