From Earth, the International Space Station (ISS) appears as a serene, gliding beacon in the night sky. However, the reality inside is far from poetic. It is a highly disciplined, working laboratory where every action is calculated, and survival depends on strict adherence to a unique set of rules. Life in microgravity demands a complete rethink of daily habits, from eating to personal hygiene.
The Forbidden List: What's Banned on the ISS
Astronauts live by a code designed for safety and efficiency. Alcohol is completely prohibited on the station. NASA mandates that crew members must remain medically stable and mentally sharp at all times, as even slight impairment could risk critical machinery and experiments. The chemistry is also a factor; alcohol vapour behaves unpredictably without gravity and could interfere with the delicate water recycling systems. This ban extends to other volatile substances like perfumes and certain mouthwashes.
Celebrations, therefore, remain strictly symbolic. Another casualty of space life is crumbly food. Bread, crackers, and dry snacks are major hazards because crumbs don't fall—they float. These free-floating particles can drift into air vents, equipment, or sensitive instruments. NASA has adapted meals for control: tortillas replace sliced bread, and seasonings are provided in liquid form. Fresh fruit is a rare treat, arriving only with supply missions.
Daily Life Re-engineered for Space
Even simple tools must be redesigned. A normal ballpoint pen fails in microgravity as ink relies on gravity to flow. While pencils were used initially, the risk of conductive graphite dust floating near electronics led to a ban. The solution is the pressurised space pen, which writes reliably upside down or in zero-g.
Personal hygiene undergoes a dramatic change. Showers are impossible due to the precious and limited water supply. Astronauts clean themselves with rinseless shampoo, liquid soap, and damp cloths, a routine more akin to camping. Most of the water they use is recycled from humidity and waste. The toilet system is equally complex, relying on airflow instead of gravity. Astronauts must strap themselves in, and waste is meticulously processed—urine is recycled into water, while solid waste is stored and later incinerated during atmospheric re-entry.
Strict Bans for Safety and Sanity
Fizzy drinks like soda are also forbidden. In microgravity, carbonation bubbles remain trapped in the liquid within the stomach, leading to uncomfortable and persistent gas, as burping becomes ineffective. For refreshment, astronauts stick to tea, coffee, and still juices.
Perhaps the most absolute ban is on smoking. Fire is an extreme danger in the enclosed, oxygen-rich environment of the ISS. Smoke could spread rapidly, contaminating the entire life-support system with no way to escape. Astronauts who smoke must quit well before their mission, though nicotine replacements are permitted.
Finally, there is no laundry facility. Water constraints mean clothes are worn for much longer periods than on Earth. Eventually, used garments are packed into departing cargo vessels, which are destroyed during re-entry into Earth's atmosphere. Clothing is specially designed to resist odour and maximise comfort, embodying the station's overarching principle: functionality over luxury.
Life on the ISS is a testament to human adaptation. It is a world governed by rules that may seem odd on Earth but are essential for survival in the unforgiving environment of space, where every small detail is a matter of science and safety.
