How Do Astronauts Keep Cool in Space Where There Is No Air?

What Crafty Clover says in this video

Intro

Hi there, curious minds! I'm Crafty Clover! Let's discover something amazing. How do astronauts keep cool in space where there is no air?

The Big Idea

In space, there is no air at all. That means no breeze to cool an astronaut. So how do they keep from overheating?

Only by Radiation

Step one: only by radiation. In space there is no air to carry heat away, so heat only escapes by radiation. That makes cooling a special challenge.

Cool Water Suits

Step two: cool water suits. Spacesuits have a layer of thin tubes against the skin that circulate cool water to carry body heat away. The outer layer is white to reflect sunlight.

Radiators

Step three: radiators. The space station has radiators that shed extra heat into space as infrared rays. They work like giant cooling fins.

A Closer Look

Let's take a closer look! Tubes carry cool water. The water takes heat away. The white layer reflects sunlight. Radiators send heat into space.

Quick Facts

Quick facts! Parts of a spacecraft in the Sun can get hot, while parts in the shade become very cold. White suits reflect sunlight. Cool water in thin tubes carries body heat away. The space station sheds extra heat with radiators.

Think Like a Scientist

Now, think like a scientist! With a grown-up, wrap one warm water bottle in shiny foil. Wrap another warm bottle in dark paper. Wait thirty minutes. Check which one kept more heat. Then explain what you learned to a friend.

Outro

Astronauts keep cool with water-cooled suits, white layers, and radiators that shed heat as infrared rays. Science is amazing! What will you discover next? There is always more to discover, and you are a great science explorer! Crafty Clover can be found on Amazon Books, Google Bookstore, and Apple Books. Available for purchase or download! Bye for now!