Did You Know: Space – Why do astronauts float in space?
In space, astronauts don’t walk around on the floor like people do on the Earth. Instead, they float!
This is because they do not feel the effect of gravity, which is the force that pulls you toward the ground on the Earth.
This state is called microgravity, and it makes things seem to be weightless.
Floating food
Anything that is not tied down in a spacecraft will float around. This includes the astronauts’ food!
Super strength
Weightlessness in space lets astronauts look as though they are super strong.
They can lift objects, such as big pieces of equipment, that would be far too heavy for them to move on the Earth.
How do astronauts stay fit and healthy in space?
Exercise
With very little gravity to push against, a person’s bones and muscles soon become weak.
Astronauts exercise every day to stay healthy and help avoid any problems when they return to the Earth and its gravity.
Sleeping quarters
In space, there is no up and down. Astronauts can attach their sleeping bags wherever they want—even on the ceiling!
They have to strap themselves in too or they will float away.