What everyday objects become surprisingly challenging to use in zero gravity?

Last Updated: 01.07.2025 01:22

What everyday objects become surprisingly challenging to use in zero gravity?

Toilets are notoriously difficult - if I recall correctly, there is something like a three day training course for astronauts to learn to use the ISS toilet before they fly there.

Things like drinking cups really don’t work - neither do hard glass bottles. You have to force the liquid out by squeezing the container and drinking the liquid through a straw..

I’m sure there are plenty of other things.

Why doesn't speeding significantly decrease one’s commute time? I've done a lot of road trips and driving and have experimented by increasing speed by 10–20%, but somehow this never equates to arriving 20% sooner, even on clear roads.

For some other things - the astronauts have to use a seat-buckle - for example, typing on a regular keyboard gradually pushes you backwards until the keyboard is out of reach.