Life inside Orion spacecraft
As they circle the Earth, Artemis II’s crew settles into a routine. Mission Control schedules every minute, leaving very little flexibility.
The astronauts sleep in small blocks, usually four hours long. This rest period adds up to 8 hours of sleep per day. It is difficult to sleep in the space. Initially, it can be strange to see crew members in floating sleeping bags. Others say they have trouble falling asleep in space, whereas others claim it is the best sleep ever.
Exercise keeps astronauts fit
The crew should exercise at least 30 mins daily to stay in shape. It helps to prevent bone and muscle weakening.
Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover and others were among the first users to try Orion’s compact flywheel device. It is roughly the same size as a carry on bag.
Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen then followed up with their workouts.
Daily essentials, including food, drink, and everyday necessities
Before launch, astronauts chose their meal. The options include beef brisket and several different hot sauces. Every crew member is allowed to have up to two drinks a day. These include coffee, chocolate breakfast drinks and other beverages.
The on-board toilet was a source of concern. The toilet failed to work during launch and raised concerns about hygiene for the entire 10-day mission. Mission Control showed the crew how to fix it.
Prepare for the Moon Journey
This mission has been building towards a significant milestone, the Trans-Lunar Injection Burn. The powerful engine will propel Orion away from Earth’s orbit, and toward the Moon.
Why This Moment is Critical
The future of human exploration in space depends on this phase. The successful burning of Orion will prove that it can transport astronauts safely beyond Earth orbit.
The mission, if it goes according to plan, will bring us closer to future landings on the Moon. NASA hopes to send humans back to the Moon by 2020.
