• Question: are doing everyday things like writing on paper harder in zero gravity?

    Asked by ThePyroMatt to Andrea, Charlie ๐Ÿš€, Col Op, Kirsty, Vinita on 17 Jun 2016.
    • Photo: Kirsty Lindsay

      Kirsty Lindsay answered on 17 Jun 2016:


      It is as easy to write on paper in space as it is on Earth.. eve normal pens work in space. It could get a little more difficult if you pen and paper floated off thoughโ€ฆ.

    • Photo: Charles Laing

      Charles Laing answered on 17 Jun 2016:


      Hi ThePyroMatt,

      There is no gravity so special pens need to be used to make sure the ink flows down to the tip. However, you can always just use a pencil โœ๐Ÿ˜‰

      A challenging part of zero gravity is making sure you donโ€™t lose things as you canโ€™t just put them down. For this reason everything is covered in Velcro and straps. Astronauts need to remember to stop things floating away!

      Charlie ๐Ÿ˜€๐Ÿš€

    • Photo: Andrea Boyd

      Andrea Boyd answered on 20 Jun 2016:


      You have to think more about putting items down and also orientating yourself. Like if you put something down and donโ€™t attach to velcro it will not be there a few minutes later!

      Then when youโ€™re moving you have to remember that you will keep floating if you donโ€™t hit something or hold on to something so it is tough to stay still to work on something with a steady hand. Even balancing the iPad on velcro of astronaut pants is pretty tough โ€“ it takes some weeks to master that skill!

      But eating and writing and doing most normal things is the same effort in microgravity.

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