Astronauts experience weightlessness in space from "summary" of A Man on the Moon by Andrew Chaikin
In space, where there is no gravity to pull them down, astronauts experience a sensation that is unlike anything they have ever felt before. They become weightless, floating freely inside their spacecraft, with nothing to anchor them to the floor. This feeling of weightlessness is a result of the spacecraft and everything inside it, including the astronauts themselves, being in a state of constant free fall as they orbit the Earth. As the spacecraft hurtles through space at incredibly high speeds, the force of gravity is still present, but it is counteracted by the centrifugal force created by the spacecraft's motion. This delicate balance between gravity and centrifugal force allows the astronauts to experience weightlessness and move about the spacecraft with ease. Without the constraints of gravity, they can float effortlessly from one side of the spacecraft to the other, performing tasks and conducting experiments in a way that would be impossible on Earth. However, the sensation of weightlessness is not always pleasant for astronauts. While it may seem like a dream come true to float freely in space, the reality is that weightlessness can take a toll on the human body. Without the constant pull of gravity to keep their muscles and bones strong, astronauts can experience muscle atrophy and bone loss during long-duration missions. In addition, the lack of gravity can cause fluid shifts in the body, leading to problems such as swollen faces and legs, and even changes in vision. Despite these challenges, astronauts are able to adapt to the unique environment of space and carry out their missions with skill and dedication. They learn to use their newfound freedom to their advantage, finding innovative ways to move and work in a weightless environment. And while the sensation of weightlessness may be disorienting at first, many astronauts come to embrace it as a defining characteristic of their time in space.
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