Question

The ISS (International Space Station) orbits the earth every 90 minutes, about 400 kilometres above the earth’s surface level, at an unimaginable speed of 28,000 kilometres per hour. That means, if you are an astronaut on board of any of the space stations, you will see 16 sunsets and 16 sun rises in 24 hours. The ISS is a comfortable home with sleep stations, store-rooms, washrooms and entertainment hubs – with wifi – for astronauts who can stay back in it for months for research.

To reach the space stations, astronauts use rockets that lift off the space-shuttle or a capsule. On the way, parts of the rocket burn out and fall back to the earth, leaving only the shuttle in orbit.

Once in orbit, a capsule docks to the ISS and the astronauts will enter the space-station where they will carry out the mission. It is important to note that the ISS does not require fuel to remain in orbit. After the mission is completed, astronauts get back into the capsule and return to the earth in the shuttle or in the capsule. This is known as re-entry. The capsule will enter the atmosphere and will start a free-fall to a specific landing spot, usually an ocean, using huge parachutes. Once the capsule splashed down into water, after burning its fireproof exteriors, a rescue team carries out the evacuation procedure with the help of specially designed speed-boats.