How does the ISS ground itself?

A Solution: The Plasma Contactor The grounding of the space station’s photovoltaic arrays (the negative end of the arrays are grounded to the structure) place the ISS at large negative electrical potentials (-160 volts DC) relative to the ambient space plasma when the arrays are producing power.

How does ISS face Earth?

Yes, nominally, the same side (the belly) of the ISS does always face the Earth. The ISS is designed to fly at this attitude. It keeps the GPS and communications antenna pointing upwards. It facilitates the rotation of the solar arrays.

Do you feel upside down in space?

There is no “upside down” in space. We are conditioned to feel the pull of gravity toward the center of the Earth and we know that the direction of that pull is “down”. But in space there’s no pull of gravity (well, none that you can feel anyway) so the entire idea of “down” becomes arbitrary.

Why is the ISS so close to Earth?

Although the orbital velocity at higher altitudes is indeed lower than the orbital velocity at lower altitudes, it requires more energy to reach the higher altitude in the first place. Yes, it is necessary for the International Space Station (ISS) to orbit so close to the Earth.

Why do the astronauts float inside the space station?

If 90 percent of Earth’s gravity reaches the space station, then why do astronauts float there? The answer is because they are in free fall. In a vacuum, gravity causes all objects to fall at the same rate. Since they are all falling together, the crew and objects appear to float when compared with the spacecraft.

How do astronauts get back to Earth from the ISS?

You say goodbye to your ISS colleagues, enter your cramped Soyuz capsule and close the hatch. The undocking sequence begins, and the hooks that connect the Soyuz to the ISS detach. As you drift away, mission control uploads the data your onboard computer needs to get home.