The life of astronauts in space is filled with wonder and challenges. Through the account of Marsha Ivins, we gain a deeper understanding of their sacrifices, hardships, and intense passion for exploring the universe.
Marsha Ivins, a veteran NASA astronaut with 55 days spent in space over 5 missions, has shared unique insights into the extraordinary life in Earth’s orbit. Far removed from the glamorous image often portrayed, Ivins describes her experience as a harmonious blend of “transcendent wonder” and “profound normalcy”, where spectacular moments intertwine with unforeseen challenges and difficulties.
Marsha Ivins is a veteran NASA astronaut.
Marsha Ivins is a veteran NASA astronaut who completed 5 space missions between 1990 and 2001. With a total of 55 days spent floating in space, she made significant contributions to the United States’ space exploration and science programs.
Overwhelmed by Earth and the First Moments in Space
From space, Earth appears as a magnificent blue gem, “breathtaking” and “surreal,” which left Ivins feeling overwhelmed, as if she had entered an entirely different world. However, the journey to witness such stunning scenery was not easy. In the first two hours after boarding the shuttle, astronauts often drift into sleep due to the effects of pre-launch checks. Everything is tight and noisy, but Ivins shares that “there’s nothing to worry about”, as this is a necessary step to ensure mission safety.
The moment of shuttle launch is truly a completely different experience. “Accelerating from the launch pad to orbit in 8.5 minutes at a speed of 17,500 miles per hour – it’s an absolutely miraculous journey,” Ivins describes.
The sensation of weightlessness brings bodily changes: In orbit, without gravity, fluids in the body shift towards your head. Your stomach flattens, and you experience a wonderfully plump face. You tend to gain an extra foot or two in height and feel your body elongating.
However, this also comes with intense headaches and feelings of nausea due to the loss of a significant amount of bodily fluids. It takes several days for the body to adapt to the microgravity environment.
Marsha Ivins has participated in 5 space missions.
Marsha Ivins has participated in 5 missions including: STS-41G (1990), STS-63 (1995), STS-81 (1997), STS-98 (1998), and STS-104 (2001). She is also the first American female astronaut to complete 5 spaceflights.
Food, Sleep, and Adaptation Challenges
Food in space is an interesting experience. Due to the effects of microgravity, human taste can change, making familiar dishes seem unusual. Ivins shared that she once took a chocolate bar from Earth into space, but when she ate it, it tasted “like wax.”
In reality, astronauts cannot cook on the ISS or the shuttle, so they must bring vacuum-packed food, naturally dehydrated food, or thermally stable food. They add water to the food and heat it in an oven. Since there are no refrigerators onboard, fresh food spoils quickly, and they must ensure that they consume any perishables like fruits in the early days of the mission.
The strangest experience in space is sleeping. Instead of lying in a bed like on Earth, astronauts must secure their sleeping bags to the walls, floor, or ceiling. Keeping their bodies and limbs fixed in a microgravity environment requires special adaptation. Ivins often slept in the mid-deck of the shuttle, where it was cool and quiet, considering it her “private sleeping area.”
Astronaut Marsha Ivins says the strangest experience in space is sleeping.
In addition to her contributions to space exploration, Marsha Ivins is also an inspiring speaker and a dedicated educator. She has shared her experiences with generations of students, encouraging them to pursue their dreams and explore science.
Busy Work and Moments of Relaxation
Work aboard the space station and shuttle is incredibly busy, involving daily maintenance, conducting experiments, operating robots, and participating in activities outside the spacecraft. Ivins shares that this work is “strenuous,” “can be stressful and daunting in its own way,” but it also provides her with a sense of “relaxation” because, in space, one is freed from the daily worries of Earth.
Returning to Earth and Adaptation Difficulties
Upon returning to Earth, astronauts must undergo a reverse adaptation process to the gravitational environment. The inner ear, which has become accustomed to microgravity, becomes sensitive, making it difficult for them to maintain balance. Muscles that have not been used for weeks must reactivate for one to perform daily tasks like standing, walking, and gripping objects. Ivins shares that it takes several days, even weeks, before she could walk normally on the ground.
Despite the challenges and difficulties, Marsha Ivins asserts that she “would go back in a heartbeat” if given the chance. For Marsha Ivins, the astronaut experience is not just about scientific discoveries, but also an extraordinary journey of self-discovery that helps explore the limits of the human body and spirit.
