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Astronauts perhaps hold the most fascinating job in the world, as they get to explore space and witness majestic sights beyond the cosmos.
Apart from its captivating allure, the task also comes with a slew of mind-boggling questions for the typical laymen—particularly how astronauts manage to use the bathroom in zero gravity.
In his new book called “Ask an Astronaut,” British spaceman Tim Peake entertained the most asked questions after spending six months in the International Space Station (ISS).
The 45-year-old British Army Air Corps officer gladly explained how astronauts go to the “loo.”
“We pee into a hose that has a conical-shaped receptacle with a switch on the side,” an excerpt from his book read, as relayed by The New York Post.
“For a number two, there is a rather petite bathroom seat secured on top of a solid waste container. Attached is a rubberized bag with an elasticated opening.”
Peake also bared the not-so glamorous part of living in space, including its effect on human’s feet.
“We hardly use the soles of our feet on ISS so they become very soft, like a baby’s,” he shared. “The gross part is that all the dead, hard skin starts coming off.”
He also confirmed that space “smells.”
“Yes, but exactly what of is hard to put your nose on. It’s like static electricity.
“For example, when you take off a jumper and get a large static discharge,” he described the aroma that lingers outside Earth.
Apart from his shocking revelations, Peake also bared how astronauts sleep and what it’s like to be back on the planet after being weightless in gravity for so long. Khristian Ibarrola /ra
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