BEHIND THE SPACE SUITS 💥 Starliner Astronauts Reveal the Struggles, Sacrifices, and Silent Battles of Life on the ISS

Life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) may look like science fiction from Earth, but for the astronauts who live and work there, it’s a blend of wonder, discipline, discomfort, and awe-inspiring moments that few people ever experience.

In a candid interview, NASA’s Starliner astronauts recently opened up about what daily life in orbit really looks like — and some of the details might just leave you questioning whether this is truly the glamorous space life we imagine.

Fresh off their Starliner capsule mission, the astronauts shared ten truths that completely redefine our expectations of living in space.

Forget the sleek, sci-fi lifestyle — life aboard the ISS is a unique mix of floating through cramped modules, doing precise science, and navigating the challenges of being more than 250 miles above Earth for months at a time.

The first fact they shared was perhaps the most immediate and bizarre: you never stop floating.

Microgravity doesn’t wear off.

Even after weeks on the station, the simple act of grabbing something or moving from one module to another is a conscious effort in coordination.

Everything floats — your body, your tools, your food — and managing that without knocking things out of place is an ongoing task.

Next came the reality of sleeping in space, which might sound like a peaceful escape among the stars, but is far from it.

Astronauts sleep strapped into sleeping bags attached to walls or ceilings, with their arms floating freely in the air.

Some find it soothing, while others confess to waking up disoriented, unsure of where they are or which way is “up.

There’s no natural day or night on the ISS either — it experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets each Earth day — so astronauts use artificial lighting and strict schedules to maintain their body clocks.

Then there’s food — a detail that always captures public curiosity.

Astronaut meals are packaged, freeze-dried, or vacuum-sealed and require rehydration or careful heating.

There’s no oven, no refrigerator, and definitely no fresh vegetables or meat unless a supply capsule recently arrived.

Coffee comes in vacuum pouches with straws, and things like crumbs are avoided at all costs because floating particles can interfere with equipment.

Despite all that, astronauts say they’ve grown to appreciate their meals — especially when it’s taco night with rehydrated beef and a squeeze of hot sauce.

Another fascinating insight involved going to the bathroom — a topic no astronaut can avoid.

Using the ISS toilet requires proper technique and practice, thanks to the lack of gravity.

A special vacuum system helps manage waste, and everything must be carefully stored or recycled.

In fact, a portion of the water astronauts drink has been purified from urine, a fact they accept with scientific calm but admit is hard to get used to at first.

Hygiene in space is also far from luxurious.

There are no showers on the ISS.

Instead, astronauts use rinseless wipes, no-rinse shampoo, and cloths to clean themselves.

They wash their clothes as little as possible because laundry is not an option.

Outfits are worn for several days or weeks before being discarded.

As one astronaut put it, “You don’t smell yourself after a while — and there’s nowhere to go anyway.

A more serious reality they shared is mental health and isolation.

Even though the ISS is a marvel of international cooperation and technological achievement, the psychological effects of isolation, confinement, and distance from loved ones are real.

Astronauts undergo regular psychological evaluations and maintain video communication with family members.

Small comforts like music, movies, and personal photos help.

Crew camaraderie also plays a huge role in keeping spirits high.

Daily routines on the ISS are tightly scheduled, with up to ten hours a day dedicated to scientific research, equipment maintenance, exercise, and station upkeep.

Exercise is mandatory, with two hours of physical activity required every day to combat the muscle and bone loss caused by weightlessness.

They use treadmills, resistance machines, and stationary bikes — all adapted to work without gravity.

Skipping workouts is not an option, unless you want to come home barely able to walk.

Spacewalks, or EVAs (extravehicular activities), might look graceful on television, but the astronauts revealed just how taxing they truly are.

Getting into a spacesuit takes hours of preparation, and the suit itself is stiff, pressurized, and physically demanding.

Once outside, they must remain laser-focused while moving slowly and precisely, often with Earth’s vast horizon stretching behind them.

Despite the beauty, the risk is always there.

One astronaut shared that it’s “the most exhilarating and terrifying thing” he’s ever done.

Another surprising challenge? Missing Earth’s simplest pleasures.

Astronauts talked about craving rain, the smell of fresh air, or just walking barefoot on grass.

They dream about holding a warm cup of coffee in a ceramic mug or hugging their children without a screen between them.

Even silence is different in space — the station is always buzzing with fans, beeps, and mechanical sounds.

Lastly, the astronauts agreed that despite all the challenges, the view makes it all worth it.

Looking down on Earth from orbit is a perspective few humans will ever experience, and it never gets old.

Sunrises paint the horizon with orange and blue.

Lightning storms flicker in the clouds like electric dances.

Cities glow at night in golden webs, and oceans stretch endlessly beneath them.

Some astronauts said they cried the first time they saw Earth from above — not out of fear, but pure, overwhelming awe.

While life aboard the ISS may not be the sleek, sci-fi adventure that movies portray, it is undeniably extraordinary.

It requires sacrifice, discipline, adaptability, and resilience.

And for those who dare to live it, the reward is a perspective unlike any other — one that forever changes how they see Earth, humanity, and the universe.

So yes, this is life — one filled with floating, recycled water, and no showers — but it’s also a life at the edge of space, where every day is a mission, and every moment is part of something far bigger than oneself.