Astronauts pause to celebrate Thanksgiving together
Though Russian and American crews normally alternate their days off, all six aboard station will gather for a Thanksgiving meal together. They will also have some extra time to relax and visit with family via IP phone or video conference.
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A normal day aboard the International Space Station (ISS) begins at 6:00 a.m. UTC. Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) was selected to set clocks aboard the ISS to because it lies between the two ground control centers in Houston, Texas and Moscow, Russia.
The crew starts with inspection of safety systems, followed by breakfast, a daily planning conference with ground controllers in Houston and Moscow and then several hours of work (tending to science experiments, station maintenance, medical tasks, etc.).
Following lunch, there is exercise, more work time and the evening conference call. There is about two hours beginning at 7:30 p.m. for dinner, email, enjoying a movie or book until they turn in for the night at 9:30 p.m.
Like many Americans, astronauts aboard the International Space Station have Thursday off, with only essential safety and medical tasks required that day.
Also like many Americans, the menu for this year is similar to others. They'll enjoy the following:
- Irradiated smoked turkey
- Intermediate moisture packed mashed potatoes and potatoes au gratin
- Rehydratable corn
- Freeze dried cornbread dressing
- Thermostabilized (like canning but in a foil pouch) candied yams
- Cherry-blueberry cobbler
- Sweet tea (from a Capri-Sun like foil pouch)
• Credits
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