Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi remembers Earth’s fresh air as he changes filter in space

Emirati astronaut Sultan Al Neyadi's captivating post highlights the stark difference between experiencing fresh air on Earth versus the challenges of the space environment.

While breathing clean air on Earth is something we often take for granted, the same cannot be said for astronauts in space.

The International Space Station (ISS), roughly equivalent in size to a six-bedroom house, poses significant constraints for the astronauts residing and operating within it, given the abundance of necessary equipment required to maintain the station's functionality and habitability.

The messiest areas, like Node 3, housing the toilet and exercise equipment, and Node 1, the astronauts’ dining area, are cleaned by rotating individuals.

In a recent post, Al Neyadi tweeted, “Breathing fresh and clean air on Earth is quite easy and uncomplicated. However, aboard the ISS, things are not that simple. We require devices such as air filters to obtain pure air. Here, I am changing the filters to keep our air safe and clean.”

Chemistry plays a crucial role in providing astronauts with breathable air by developing systems capable of generating it from their challenging environment.

How clean is the ISS?

Molecular analysis of dust samples collected from the ISS has revealed insights into potential bacterial agents present in the astronauts' space environment.

Published in the open-access journal Microbiome, the study identified the presence of opportunistic bacterial pathogens, which are typically harmless on Earth but can lead to infections causing inflammations or skin irritations.

These findings are crucial as they establish a baseline to monitor the cleanliness of the ISS, contributing to the management of astronaut health in the future. However, it is important to note that as the study is based on genetic analysis, it could not definitively be determined whether these bacteria pose a threat to an astronaut's health.

How is Carbon Dioxide removed in ISS?

As per Nasa’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory’s official page, “Currently, the International Space Station uses an absorption method to remove carbon dioxide (CO2) from the air. The absorption is accomplished in a chemical reaction using a sorbent (a material used to absorb or adsorb liquids or gases) called lithium hydroxide (LiOH).

“This method relies on the exothermic reaction of lithium hydroxide with carbon dioxide to create lithium carbonate (Li2CO3)(s) and water (H2O).”

• UAE President's visit is the 'best motivation' ahead of space mission: Sultan Al Neyadi