Will you become directionally challenged in space? Can't find the north on the moon? Here are some interesting facts about space travel you may not know.

April 12, 1961

27-year-old Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin

Achieved the feat of mankind's first space travel

To commemorate this historic moment

This day is designated as the International Day of Human Space Flight.

Also known as "World Space Day"

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Throughout the ages

The vast universe leaves people with endless imagination

62 years have passed

Humankind's journey to explore space

Constantly setting new records

We on Earth

I must not know

There are so many strange and interesting facts in the vast space.

Let us uncover the secret together——

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I heard that going to space will make you taller?

A: In the microgravity environment of space, a person's height will increase by about 2 to 3 centimeters. This is because the spine is the "pillar" of the human body, through which a person maintains an upright posture and bears the main weight of the person. Under normal gravity conditions on the ground, due to the body weight, the intervertebral disc of a person has a certain amount of compression, but in space, the intervertebral disc pressure caused by the body weight will disappear, and the distance between the vertebrae will increase. But don't be too happy too soon, once you return to Earth, your height will slowly return to what it was before.

Will you become a "directionally challenged" person in space?

Answer: In microgravity, astronauts often have illusions, so they need to rely on landmarks to determine direction. Moreover, after astronauts put on extravehicular suits, their vision and sense of touch will be restricted. The feeling of positioning, transferring or moving in space is very different from that on the ground.

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When astronauts stay in the space station for “1 day”, how much time has passed on Earth?

A: It takes about 90 minutes for the Tiangong core module to orbit the Earth, and it flies over the Earth's sun-facing and sun-facing sides during each orbit. Therefore, astronauts can see the sunrise and sunset through the portholes during each orbit, and experience about 16 "days and nights" a day! Of course, in order to ensure that astronauts can work and rest well, their work and rest system in orbit is still arranged according to the 24-hour circadian rhythm, which is synchronized with the rhythm of life on the ground.

When astronauts take a shower in space, can they only do a “dry rub”?

A: Due to the microgravity environment and limited water and electricity resources, it is not possible to achieve the same shower effect as on Earth in space. Usually, dry or wet scrubbing, or a combination of dry and wet scrubbing, is used. When washing hair, astronauts need to use a special towel or sponge, soak it, pour rinse-free shampoo on the towel, and then rub the hair again. Bathing also uses a similar process.

How do astronauts go to the toilet in space?

A: When urinating, astronauts use a soft catheter with a funnel at the front end. The urine that flows into the funnel will be sucked into the storage box. When defecating, astronauts must first use the buckle on the toilet to fix themselves, and then "aim" their buttocks at the opening on the toilet to relieve themselves. The excrement will be vacuumed and stored, waiting to be brought back to Earth by the cargo spacecraft.

In space, do astronauts' hearts get smaller?

Answer: When astronauts are in a space environment with relatively low gravity, blood will flow from the lower parts of the body to the heart and brain, which will reduce the burden on the heart and cause the heart to become smaller over time.

The one who embraced the sea of ​​stars earlier than humans was a dog

The first creature on Earth to enter space was a stray dog ​​named Laika, who was launched on the Soviet spacecraft Sputnik II at 10:28 a.m. local time on November 3, 1957, embarking on a sacred journey. But a few hours later, due to poor insulation in the space suit, she became a "burned dog". Currently, her body and the space capsule she was in are still in Earth orbit.

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Why can't a compass point to the north on the moon?

A: The moon does not have a global dipole magnetic field, only certain areas have extremely weak magnetism. Therefore, the magnetic needle of a compass will keep shaking on the moon and cannot point to a specific direction. Relying on a compass, you can not only not find the north on the moon, but also any other direction. If astronauts need a way to identify the direction temporarily on the moon, they can simply determine their location by the direction of the sun.

The starry sky is vast

Never-ending exploration

May you go forward

Become the star you look up to

Once again, I salute every astronaut!

Comprehensive sources: Xinhuanet, CCTV News, China Science Expo, China National Radio Military, etc.