What do astronauts really do in space?

I am hardly one to know in detail what goes on up there, but I imagine that they all live by strict schedules, jam packed with having to monitor the health of the spacecraft sub-systems, operate experimental equipment according to the guidelines established by NASA and the ground-based experimenters. They probably get some recreation time, but it must be like trying to rest on a crowded bus. There must be a fair amount of studying technical manuals and keeping close records of air quality, fuel, spacecraft attitude and environmental factors. Also, power consumption. There must be a fair number of daily check lists to go through.


Copyright 1997 Dr. Sten Odenwald
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