Astronautics Interview Preparation Guide

Astronauts on the space station stay busy. There is a lot of work to operate the many science experiments on board. The crew also has to make sure that the station is in top shape, so they clean, check equipment, maintain and repair or replace broken equipment. Crew members also must exercise two hours each day to stay fit and keep their bones and muscles strong. Sometimes we need to do a spacewalk to work outside the station in our space suit. It's a tough and dangerous job but the view is terrific.

The space station travels through space at 17,500 miles per hour at an altitude of about 220 miles. We orbit the Earth about once every 90 minutes. During the orbit of the Earth we are in daylight for about 45 minutes and darkness for about 45 minutes. That means the sun will rise and set 16 times a day.

Shortly before the time of launch you start hearing different noises below you and you know things are getting ready to happen. Then, it is as if a giant beast is waking up. You hear and feel the thumping and bumping of valves opening and closing as engine systems are pressurized. When the first engines light there is a terrific low frequency rumbling and things start to shake. Then the main engine lights and the rumbling and shaking get even louder. Slowly, slowly you begin to move up and away from the launch pad. But, very quickly you build up speed and the g-load, or the force of gravity or acceleration on a body, increases. You shake and rattle along and then there is a bang when the rescue system is jettisoned, another bang when the four strap on boosters separate and another bang when the nose faring comes off. Now the windows are uncovered and you can see light coming in. At the second stage separation there is another bang and the g-load drops immediately. You go from about four and a half g's down to about one and a half or two g's. Then the third stage engine lights; you have a big push forward and the g-load builds again.

The Space Shuttle orbits the Earth at an altitude of 120-300 miles. We fly the shuttle to the ISS where we dock and continue work on board the station. In the past we have taken the shuttle to the space station and we have used it to visit the hubble space telescope for on-orbit repairs. Today, from our orbit above the earth, we are in a good position to study the stars, study the earth, perform experiments, build and resupply the ISS, and learn how to live and work in the absence of gravity.

Astronauts are in constant training for space flight. The initial training involves learning about basic space station systems, space walking and operating the robotic arm. You continue this training while awaiting a mission assignment. Once assigned to a flight, specific training for your mission may take as long as three years. The length of training depends on how complicated the tasks are on your mission.

A normal body will adapt to the abnormal environment of space in many ways. Immediately upon entering zero gravity, fluids in your legs and the lower part of your body move upwards towards your head. In fact, your face will feel and look swollen. Except for the occasional headache and congestion, astronauts are not bothered by this fluid shift. Some astronauts feel dizzy and have an upset stomach during the first few days of a space flight as they get used to zero gravity. This feeling usually goes away after three or four days. After a few days almost everyone is used to zero gravity and feels great. If you do not exercise, your bones and muscles will get weak.

When astronauts are not flying on a mission or training for a mission, they support other missions. There are many jobs on the ground required to support the design, preparation, training and flying of a space mission. Astronauts work in mission control (the 'voice' that communicates with astronauts in orbit), check out procedures and the checklists the crew in space will use, help verify the space station and vehicle software, develop procedures and tools to be used during spacewalks or robotic operations, help scientists in developing experiments that will be run in space and perform other jobs in support of ISS and vehicle flights.

We bring along several different types of food when we fly in space. Since we don't have a freezer, refrigerator, stove or microwave, most of the food has already been cooked, then freeze dried and vacuum packed (meaning the water and air has been taken out of it), or it is thermally stabilized (meaning treated and sealed in a package to prevent spoiling), much like camping food. We do not want food that makes crumbs in space since crumbs would float all over the place and that could clog up equipment.

The space is a little different than the earth. First of all, to keep from floating away, you must use foot-loops or straps while sitting on the seat. This holds you on to the seat, sort of like a seat belt. Secondly, the space bathroom uses suction not water to flush.

The space station crews can ask mission control to send them shows that they can watch during dinner or off-duty time. They can also watch movies on their laptops. They may bring books, music, and musical instruments with them. Some astronauts enjoy hobbies, such as drawing, photography and HAM radio. During missions, astronauts are very busy. The few hours of free time may also be spent looking out the window at the beautiful Earth below, listening to music, surfing the web or corresponding with friends and family back home.