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can reveal unseen patterns on
Earth. From these images and
observations, scientists learn
about everything from electrical
usage to
deforestation
.
Where They
Work
cientists on Earth don’t
have to worry about their
gear floating away. Or floating
away themselves. Scientists
working in space have those
problems and more. Outside
the Earth’s atmosphere, the
gravity that holds us and everything else down does not work. Astro-
nauts call it something like living underwater. Scientists heading to
space have to learn to live and work while unconnected to the Earth.
On the space station, there are many straps and bars astronauts can
hook to. This helps them remain stable to work. But that also means
they can work on the floor, the walls, or the ceiling with no difficulty.
There is no “up” in space. Even when “upside-down” to a camera viewer,
astronauts do not feel like they are upside down.
Surviving in microgravity takes some practice. Astronauts, whether
scientists or pilots, learn to move through the air by pulling themselves
along.They learn the semi-crouched position that seems to help people
be comfortable in zero Gs. Swallowing takes practice, since there is no
gravity to help food down.
Without gravity, astronauts float as they work. They
use handholds to help them glide around.