BETA
Chapter 1
Becoming a NASA astronaut
Chapter 2
The vehicles that reach orbit
Chapter 3
The countdown and launch day
Chapter 4
Living in space and returning home
YOUR GOAL
Master of How NASA sends astronauts to space
Ch 4 · Living in space and returning home
artiteacher NASA Orion Skip Entry
Coming home from the Moon so far, (yeah, yeah!) a skip entry guides the way!
artiteacher Returning to Earth requires slowing down from orbital speeds by slamming into the atmosphere.
artiteacher Sleeping in microgravity requires anchoring yourself to prevent drifting into walls or equipment.
Fun Fact
Puffy face effect: In microgravity, fluids shift upward, giving astronauts puffy faces and making them feel like they have a cold.
Quiz
How long does the communication blackout usually last during a typical NASA capsule reentry?
Quiz
What causes the fiery heat shield glow and extreme temperatures during a spacecraft's atmospheric reentry?
Quiz
What is the purpose of the small drogue parachutes deployed before the main parachutes during a spacecraft capsule descent?
Quiz
Why are fans required inside an astronaut's sleeping quarters on the International Space Station?
Quiz
How do astronauts sleep on the International Space Station without floating away?
Quiz
Why must astronauts on the International Space Station exercise for two hours every day?
Quiz
What natural phenomenon causes a communications blackout when a spacecraft reenters Earth's atmosphere?
Quiz
Where do modern NASA capsules like Crew Dragon typically land at the end of their mission?