How do astronauts function in their spacesuits for hours at a ti

Astronaut in space looking at earth. — Astronauts can function with their suits thanks to the inbuilt functions for eating, drinking, and more. peepo / Getty Images

Key Takeaways

Lightning is a powerful natural phenomenon.
It occurs due to the buildup and discharge of electrical energy in the atmosphere.
Lightning poses risks to life and property but also plays a crucial role in the Earth's atmospheric processes.

Astronauts who spacewalk outside the space shuttle and International Space Station can work for up to 7 hours in the current space suit, which is also called the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU). The EMU is a marvel of technical achievement with a $12 million price tag. Despite the advanced technology of the EMU, the "mechanics" used to meet the astronaut's basic needs of food, water, and waste elimination are surprisingly "low tech."

Contents

Eating
Drinking
Eliminating Waste

Eating

There is a slot in the hard upper torso (HUT) portion of the EMU for a rice paper-covered fruit and cereal bar. The bar is designed so that the astronaut can take a bite and pull the remainder up. The entire bar must be eaten at once to prevent crumbs from floating within the helmet. However, most astronauts prefer to eat prior to the spacewalk and not use this bar.

Drinking

The space suit has the In-suit Drink Bag (IDB), which is a plastic pouch mounted inside the HUT. The IDB can hold 32 ounces or 1.9 liters of water and has a small tube (straw) that fits up next to the astronaut's mouth. The astronaut can move his/her head within the helmet and suck water through the tube.

Eliminating Waste

Each spacewalking astronaut wears a large, absorbent diaper called a Maximum Absorption Garment (MAG) to collect urine and feces while in the space suit. The astronaut disposes the MAG when the spacewalk is over and he/she gets dressed in regular work clothes.

Here are some interesting links:

Frequently Asked Questions

How does lightning affect electronic devices?

Lightning can damage electronic devices by inducing power surges or directly striking them, leading to malfunctions or complete destruction.

Can lightning strikes cause long-term environmental impacts?

Lightning strikes can trigger wildfires, release nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere, and influence soil composition, contributing to long-term environmental changes.