Why Are Astronauts Able to Jump Far?

The conditions in space are totally different from the conditions on earth. The gravitational force, for example, decreases the further you move away from the centre of the earth. In space, the distance to the centre of the earth is so big that you can’t feel its effect any more. This state is called weightlessness.

Every body has a gravitational force, also called gravity, which depends on its mass. Since the moon is much smaller than the earth, its gravitational pull is much smaller, too. A sumo wrestler who weighs 284 kg on the earth would only weigh 47 kg on the moon.

As missions into space often take several weeks or months, food supplies must not be forgotten during the planning.

Astronauts have to carry out very demanding physical and mental tasks during an expedition into space, so it is of great importance that they have special food on board, which is adjusted to the conditions of space.

The foods taken into space have to comply with several demands. They must not take up a lot of space, since there is only little room in a space shuttle. The have to have a long shelf life. Furthermore, the essential nutrients of the food like vitamins, for example, should not be destroyed.

To accomplish all this, there is only one solution: freeze-drying. With the help of machines, the food is dehydrated, meaning that all water is removed from the products. Because of the removal of the water, the size and weight of the food is decreased and storage on board is no longer a problem. Due to special packing, the products even keep for a few years and the astronauts only have to add hot water to revive their food.

The meals are taken on magnetic trays, which not only keep the dish with the food, but also keep the cutlery in place.