NASA scientists know that for humans to travel through space, astronauts have basic needs. Astronauts must have oxygen, food, water and rest. These needs are usually easy to meet on Earth; meeting them in space is very complicated. Gases from space cannot sustain human life.
Once you're in space, nothing can get aboard the ship and practically nothing can get out. You must take everything you need to survive outer space. Let's call these items “inputs”. Supplies may include essential items such as food, water and oxygen.
Space exploration allows us to prove or refute scientific theories developed on Earth. The study of the solar system, for example, has allowed us to learn about phenomena such as gravity, the magnetosphere, the atmosphere, fluid dynamics and the geological evolution of other planets. Astronauts in space need food, spacesuits, clothing, hygiene items, sleeping bags and flight tools. Equipment is necessary for survival in space and a safe return to Earth.
In addition to equipment, the space shuttle is designed to provide astronauts with oxygen, adequate temperatures and conditions that allow for life in space. Exploring space is an opportunity not only to discover new worlds and create advanced technologies, but also to work together toward a larger goal, regardless of nationality, race or gender. Leveraging its long experience in orbital infrastructure, robotics, space transport systems and exploration, Thales Alenia Space has become a leading partner by providing 3 pressurized modules for the Gateway lunar space station. Suits prevent injuries that can be caused by space dust and protect them from radiation that is very high in space.
The pants have a lot of pockets so astronauts can store the things they wear constantly so they don't float around the space shuttle. The foods that astronauts have on their daily menu are chosen based on their nutritional value and their applicability for use in space. Many innovations in fields ranging from metals and alloys to biology and medicine are the result of space exploration. The team purchases the equipment, checks it, stores it in a specific way, and then transports it to the space shuttle.
Since they sometimes live in it for several years, for example, Peggy Whitson spent 665 days in space, they need to be constantly equipped with food and other essential items. Unlike astronauts on the International Space Station, who change their clothes approximately every 10 days, space shuttle astronauts wear clothes for each day of the mission. The tools are very similar to those used on Earth, but they are adapted to space conditions so that astronauts perform their tasks as easily as possible. When astronauts perform a mission on a space shuttle, the space shuttle has all the equipment that astronauts will need during the mission.
For example, a commercial infrared camera used to scan tiles for cracks was adapted to space conditions and is now used to find cracks.
