The life of a NASA astronaut | Brains On! Science Podcast For Kids | Full Episode

Episode Overview

• The episode humorously introduces a fictional spacesuit with a "flatulence extractor," explaining the real-world problem of odors lingering in zero gravity.
• It features an "Ask an Astronaut" segment where NASA astronaut Kayla Barron answers listener questions about life, training, and health on the International Space Station (ISS).
• A trivia game called "Space Grub" explores the history of food in space, from early food pastes to the first vegetables grown on the ISS.
• The episode covers various aspects of living in space, including how astronauts breathe, eat, train for microgravity, and handle getting sick.

Key Concepts

• Life in Microgravity: The episode explains the unique challenges of living in a zero-gravity environment, such as the lack of air circulation which causes farts and other odors to linger. This necessitates specialized systems within spacesuits and space stations to manage air quality.
• Astronaut Training and Requirements: To become a NASA astronaut, a master's degree in a STEM field (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Math) is required. However, strong teamwork skills are emphasized as the most critical quality, as space missions are highly collaborative. Astronauts train for spacewalks in large underwater facilities like the Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory and experience short bursts of weightlessness on parabolic flights.
• Food in Space: The evolution of space food is discussed, from early pureed meals in tubes (like beef and liver paste for Yuri Gagarin) to modern-day options that include fresh vegetables like romaine lettuce grown directly on the ISS. The primary concerns for space food are preventing crumbs that could damage equipment and minimizing weight.
• Health and Safety in Space: Astronauts undergo a pre-flight quarantine to avoid bringing illnesses to the space station. The ISS is equipped with a pharmacy and medical equipment, and crew members receive medical training. In case of serious illness, astronauts have the option to return to Earth.

Quotes

• At 01:13 - "Flatulence lingers." - Sanden explains the practical reason for inventing a "fart vacuum" for spacesuits, as there is no breeze in a space station to dissipate odors.
• At 01:27 - "It's a toot suit! No, no, no, a whopper stopper!" - Molly comes up with humorous names for the spacesuit designed to handle farts in space.
• At 01:54 - "You should call it the Odor Motor!" - Molly suggests a catchy name for the suit's "smell-triggered engine."
• At 23:44 - "What happens when you fart in space? ...Nothing all that special. I think it's probably the same as farting on Earth to be honest." - Astronaut Kayla Barron answers a listener's question about a common bodily function in zero gravity.
• At 24:19 - "You can't go to space and succeed in space by yourself. It's a team sport." - Kayla Barron highlights that teamwork is the most crucial skill for an astronaut.

Takeaways

• Living in space requires creative engineering solutions for everyday human needs, such as air circulation to manage odors and specialized packaging to handle food in microgravity.
• To pursue a career as an astronaut, focus on obtaining an advanced degree in a STEM field and, most importantly, developing strong teamwork and collaboration skills.
• Astronaut training involves various simulations on Earth, including underwater exercises in giant pools and parabolic flights, to prepare for the unique conditions of microgravity.