How do Astronauts, sleep and relieve themselves, while in space?

Question

I ask because, I've always wondered about that. Any info, would be appriciated. Plus, any links you can give on it.

Answer 1

They sleep by crawling into a sleeping bag that is tethered to the sleeping area and closing their eyes. I bet it's incredibly comfortable once you're used to it.

They relieve themselves into a toilet system that has an active suction system - like going into the hose of a weak vacuum cleaner. For solid waste, they center themselves over what is basically a toilet seat with a vacuum hole at the bottom of a basin. There's a camera inside so they they actually look at a monitor next to them to ensure they are properly centered for good "aim".

Answer 2

Hi,

The sleeping part is quite easy for them, they sleep in a form of bivvie bag against the wall of the craft.

Relieving themselves is a tricky job for any astronaut, They must first locate a small 1.5 X 1.5 inch flap or a 14 X 14 inch ( depending on wot they need to relieve ) on the inside of the craft, they then open the inner flap and stick their Johnson or rear end into it, they then relieve themselves, on completion of the task, they open the outer flap ( after closing the inner flap )
and look through the small window above the flap to check that it is floating away from the craft.

It sometimes sticks to the crafts outer casing, but is burned off during re-entry.

Answer 3

Very carefully !!!

Although said in jest it's literally correct in that when asleep the slightest movement will cause a change in position and may cause you to bump into things. Likewise when doing numbers 1's or 2's you have to be correctly attached to the right disposal equipment so that little blobs or urine or poop don't float around the capsule or your suit which could be quite messy and embarassing.

Answer 4

Astronauts sleep in tubes. They get hooked into them by a cable to keep them from floating around. When they have to go pee they do it in a container that end up being recycled into drinking water...yummy. Number two is sealed into a baggie and then sealed in a container to be brought back to earth for disposal.

Answer 5

What you're looking for is the Environmental Control and Life Support System or the acronym ECLSS.

This site will give you some information:
http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2001/ast03apr_2.htm

Answer 6

In their suits. The suits are designed to capture the human waste and keep it away from the body so the astronauts skin does not get irritated and there are no odors. They sleep in the suits too, just lean back in the chair or theather in, and off they go.

Answer 7

they sleep in sleeping bags that are secured to either a floor or a wall in the space station or the space shuttle, technically they COULD sleep just floating there, but the risk in that is that they could float around and bump into things.

Answer 8

After reading some entries above, I don't think I want to know myself lol. I am sure they have appropriate ways though!

Answer 9

in there space suits, or in special toilets on the shuttle. sleeping is done by being anchored in special sleeping bags on the walls. the links are great.

Sleep
http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/living/spacesleep/index.html

Bathroom
http://imagine.gsfc.nasa.gov/docs/ask_astro/answers/970411a.html

Answer 10

They sleep like us but they poop very carefully