Astronauts on board the International Space Station to experience New Year’s Eve 16 times

How lucky are those who get to experience the variations caused in time zones and the benefits arising thereof. The astronauts on board the International Space Station (ISS) will experience the New Year’s eve 16 times on December 31 as it hovers around the earth every 90 minutes.

This means the ISS and its members will face 16 sunrises and sunsets at 402 kms above the earth, said the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).  

The ISS houses six astronauts, three from the US, two Russian and one Japanese who will be having a pretty relaxed schedule for the day, which will consist of family conferences before they take the day off for the New Year.  

The current challenge these onboard astronauts are facing is that of health, so they are researching on matters of life sciences to help mission doctors to keep them stronger and healthier.

Doctors measure the astronauts breathing and other parameters during exercise to ensure they have the strength to perform strenuous activities such as spacewalks and even emergency procedures.

Scientists are exploring how plants respond to microgravity and observe molecular and genetic changes.

The US space agency is planning longer human missions beyond low-Earth orbit and learning how to keep crews self- sustainable.

(With PTI inputs)