Ordinary earthlings will always be curious about how the life of astronauts on board orbital stations proceeds. Everything is intriguing: the nature of the research work, what they eat, how they observe hygiene.
Of particular interest are the aspects of rest and sleep in zero gravity. Hard work, emotional and mental stress, as well as the full moon, magnetic storms - all this affects the quality of sleep of brave planetary explorers.
The complexities of the daily routine in space
The schedule of day and night in space is confusing frequent sunrises, on the space station they occur every 1.5 hours (it depends on the height of the orbit). Such a rate of change of daily time, and the absence of gravity at first lead to a violation of the biorhythms of astronauts and a deterioration in well-being. To optimize the schedule, they adhere to the earthly clock. This allows you to allocate the necessary time for a full sleep. Foreigners often have compartments for rest rooms without portholes. Not seeing endless sunrises, a person does not wake up from a bright heavenly body. Russian astronauts prefer to admire the beauties of space overboard before going to bed.
There are always sedatives and sleeping pills in space medicine kits. Without the help of medications, it is difficult for beginners to fall asleep at first. After some time, the body adapts and gets used to the features of "extraterrestrial" life.The average duration of a sound sleep in space is 4-5 hours. Due to the lack of muscle fatigue, the body manages to regain strength in a short time.
Sleeping places of astronauts
At international stations, finding a cozy corner to rest is not easy. The cabins are filled with fastened equipment, tools and provisions due to the frequent change of numerous crews. They arrange accommodation for the night, where necessary. Sometimes on free walls, sometimes on the ceiling (there are no things there). To facilitate orientation in the rooms, the vertical and horizontal surfaces vary in color.
Most ships are equipped with full-fledged sleeping modules. Represent vertical booths similar to showers. Equipped with special sleeping bags (bags) with zippers, fixed at six points to the back wall to minimize movement. Additional outer straps tightly fastens the body.
Cabs are located closer to the ventilation ducts. Lack of oxygen in space is an astronaut’s health problem causing headaches after such a break. Ventilation and other systems always work, their noise is compared with the crash of a tram under the windows of a house. However, it’s better to put up with it than to suffocate. Many people prefer to sleep with earplugs. From a stream of cool air, the head is protected with a thin knitted hat.
The developers of the sleeping bags took care of the comfort of their temporary inhabitants. Nearby fixtures can be turned off or on with their hands in small holes.The need for a mattress, pillow and other amenities disappears, because there is no gravity. It is noticed that for the same reason the astronaut gets rid of snoring in space. All that has to be done is to relax and sail away into the kingdom of Morpheus.
Cosmonaut's body position during sleep
Lack of gravity is the main reason why you have to fasten yourself with belts. Sleeping while standing is not too nice. But even worse is to feel your body in constant wobble. Unfixed hands will surely wake the astronaut already sensitive, as it is impossible to control their movement in a dream. In zero gravity conditions, the fetus develops in the womb. That is why babies are swaddled after birth in order to accustom them to the earthly rules of gravity.
Many astronauts fall asleep in the fetal position, recognizing it as the most convenient in space conditions. Sleeping on your stomach is not recommended. Turning over to the back wall, there is an increased risk of severe swelling in the morning and migraines due to excess carbon dioxide.
Conquerors of interplanetary space say that they see exclusively earthly pictures in their dreams: rain, nature, images of their loved ones, even smells. And this is not surprising. Forced to leave the usual habitat, a person with the help of the subconscious always returns to what is expensive. At least in a dream ..
