The Strangest Objects Astronauts Use in Space

When you think of astronauts in space, you probably imagine high-tech suits, floating laptops, and sleek spacecraft panels. But life aboard the International Space Station (ISS) and other missions isn’t all futuristic gadgets it also involves some truly strange, surprising, and even humorous objects that help astronauts survive, adapt, and stay sane in zero gravity.

From space-friendly toilets to musical instruments and floating cups, here are some of the weirdest and most unexpected things astronauts use in space.

Let’s start with the classic: how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space?

1. Zero-Gravity Toilet 🚽

In zero gravity, standard toilets just don’t work everything floats! Astronauts use a specially designed toilet that uses airflow (fans and suction) to pull waste away from the body. Solid waste is collected in sealed containers, while urine is often recycled into drinking water through advanced filtration systems. Yes, you read that right they drink purified pee! 💧

2. Velcro Everything

In space, there’s no “down” or “table” things just float around. So astronauts rely heavily on Velcro strips to keep objects in place, from pens and laptops to tools and even personal items. Velcro is everywhere on the ISS, often stuck to walls or attached to clothing, so astronauts can “stick” their stuff wherever they need it.

3. Head-Mounted GoPros 🎥

Astronauts frequently wear GoPro cameras on their helmets to record spacewalks or daily activities. These head-mounted cameras allow scientists and engineers on Earth to see exactly what’s happening, especially during complex repairs or experiments. It also gives the rest of us incredible footage of life in orbit!

4. “Space Cheese” and Packaged Pizza 🍕

Food in space is already strange—dehydrated meals, food in tubes but over the years, NASA and other agencies have tried to bring familiar comfort foods to space, like pizza, cheese, and tortillas.

Bread crumbs are a hazard in zero gravity, so astronauts use tortillas instead of sandwich bread to avoid crumbs floating into equipment. And yes, there have been attempts to send up pizza kits including sauce, dough, and toppings so astronauts can make their own mini pizzas.

5. Musical Instruments 🎸

Believe it or not, some astronauts bring instruments into orbit. The ISS has had guitars, flutes, and even saxophones onboard. Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield famously recorded a cover of David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” from the ISS, using a guitar that floats as he strums.

Music is important for morale, relaxation, and staying connected to life back on Earth.

6. Space Coffee Cups ☕

You might think drinking coffee in space is simple. It’s not. Because liquids float, astronauts usually drink from pouches with straws. But a few years ago, NASA developed a special capillary cup designed to allow sipping without gravity. It uses surface tension and fluid dynamics to direct the liquid to the astronaut’s lips no straw needed. It looks like something between a tulip and a funnel.

7. Fake Flames for Fire Drills 🔥

Yes, they have emergency fire drills in space. But since actual fire is too dangerous, astronauts train with virtual flames and simulated smoke using light projections and scent emitters. On the ISS, they practice evacuations, find “hot zones”, and use specially designed fire extinguishers made for microgravity.

8. Space Razors and Clippers ✂️

Shaving in space is tricky. Loose hairs can float into machinery and become a hazard. So astronauts use vacuum-powered razors or clippers to catch the hairs as they cut. Some choose to skip shaving altogether and just grow a zero-gravity beard!

9. Special Sleeping Bags 😴

Astronauts can’t just lay down they’d float away. So they zip themselves into sleeping bags attached to the wall, ceiling, or even inside lockers. Some choose to sleep vertically, others horizontally. Some strap their arms down to avoid waking up with floating limbs!

10. Personal Keepsakes and Toys 🧸

Every astronaut is allowed to bring a few small personal items: photos, tiny mascots, or souvenirs. Some bring plush toys to float around as “zero-gravity indicators”. For example, a stuffed dinosaur or Star Wars figure often shows up in launch videos when it floats, it means the crew has reached orbit!

Conclusion🌍🚀

Space may be high-tech and cutting-edge, but it’s also full of human needs, emotions, and daily rituals. The strange objects astronauts use from Velcro walls to space toilets and floating coffee cups remind us that living in space isn’t just about exploration. It’s about adaptation, creativity, and bringing a piece of Earth into the stars.

As space travel becomes more common, especially with missions to the Moon and Mars, we can expect even weirder and more wonderful inventions to help humans live beyond our home planet.