Question 1

True or false: The ISS has a swimming pool for astronauts to exercise and relax during long missions.

Accepted Answer

False. No pools exist—water would float everywhere. Astronauts use treadmills and resistance machines to stay fit.

Question 2

True or false: The ISS is so large you can see it from Earth during the day if you know where to look.

Accepted Answer

False. Daylight sky is too bright; the ISS is only visible shortly after sunset or before sunrise due to sunlight reflection.

Question 3

True or false: The ISS is visible from Earth with the naked eye and looks like a fast-moving, non-blinking star.

Accepted Answer

True. Its large solar panels reflect sunlight, making it brighter than many stars and easily spotted at dusk or dawn.

Question 4

True or false: The International Space Station travels at roughly 17,500 miles per hour, completing an orbit every 90 minutes.

Accepted Answer

True. This speed is necessary to maintain orbit, allowing the ISS to circle Earth about 16 times per day.

Question 5

True or false: Astronauts on the ISS grow fresh lettuce and other vegetables using a special hydroponic system.

Accepted Answer

True. NASA’s Veggie facility has successfully grown red romaine lettuce, zinnias, and even radishes in microgravity.

Question 6

True or false: Astronauts on the ISS have to sleep in beds that are bolted to the floor to keep them from floating away.

Accepted Answer

False. They sleep in sleeping bags attached to walls or ceilings, as ‘up’ and ‘down’ don’t matter in microgravity.

Question 7

True or false: The ISS has a microwave oven that astronauts use to heat up their freeze-dried meals.

Accepted Answer

True. A microwave is used, but it’s specially designed to prevent overheating and ensure even heating in microgravity.

Question 8

True or false: The ISS kitchen uses a special vacuum cleaner to catch crumbs because they can damage equipment.

Accepted Answer

False. Crumbs are indeed dangerous, but astronauts use sticky trays, bags, and careful packaging—not a vacuum.

International Space Station Trivia Questions