Like professionals on Earth, International Space Station (ISS) astronauts follow structured workweeks with dedicated downtime for rest and relaxation. While this now seems standard, prioritizing crew mental health wasn't always the norm in spaceflight.
During the 1960s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions, U.S. astronauts endured cramped quarters in small spacecraft for days on end. Every moment was mission-critical, leaving little room for personal well-being.
In the 1970s, NASA launched Skylab, America's first space station, built from a repurposed Saturn V rocket stage. This marked a shift toward longer missions with thoughtful quality-of-life enhancements, including crew quarters, a galley, and even a treadmill. NASA enlisted renowned designer Raymond Loewy—creator of the iconic Coca-Cola bottle—for interior improvements.
Yet, innovation alone wasn't enough. The second mission (Skylab 3, July 1973) ran smoothly over two months, but Skylab 4 (November 1973) hit roadblocks for astronauts Gerald Carr, Ed Gibson, and Bill Pogue.
Overloaded with tasks and scant rest, the crew grew frustrated despite completing objectives. They voiced concerns to NASA, which responded decisively by revising schedules to add free time, particularly before and after sleep periods. The impact was profound. "You could see the difference," notes spaceflight historian David Hitt. "They were so much more productive in the second half of the mission."
Skylab's lessons directly informed ISS protocols. Astronauts now work a standard 9-to-5 schedule Monday through Friday, with evenings and weekends for recovery—though Saturdays include 3-4 hours of deep cleaning to combat microbes, leaving the rest truly free.
Free-time pursuits vary. Many drift to the ISS's observation cupola for Earth-gazing. "Taking pictures [of Earth] is an area of relaxation that is often mentioned," says Gloria Leon, professor emeritus of psychology at the University of Minnesota.
Musicians bring instruments: Carl Walz played keyboard in 2001; Chris Hadfield covered David Bowie's "Space Oddity" on guitar in 2013; Thomas Pesquet packed his saxophone in 2017.
Like us, they stream movies, shows, or podcasts. Douglas Wheelock, on a 2010 mission, found solace in journaling: "I really started to find comfort in writing down my thoughts. I ended up writing some poetry."
Connectivity keeps them grounded—phone calls, internet access, and active social media like Twitter foster a vital link to Earth, letting us share their orbital adventures.
