Sophie Adenot, a French astronaut who arrived at the International Space Station (ISS) in February 2026, has been performing three spacewalks, or extravehicular activities (EVAs), which are tasks conducted outside the station. These activities are physically demanding and often leave astronauts exhausted. After her third spacewalk, Adenot mentioned she had trouble holding a pen the following day, highlighting the intense nature of such work. On September 7, 2026, the United States observed Labor Day, a public holiday. On this day, NASA astronauts Jack Hathaway, Jessica Meir, and Anil Menon, along with ESA astronaut Sophie Adenot, were granted a day off. However, the three Russian cosmonauts aboard the ISS—Pyotr Dubrov, Andrey Fedyaev, and Anna Kikina—did not have a holiday and were responsible for managing the departure of a resupply spacecraft, which delivers essential supplies to the station.
According to Robert Frost, an engineer and astronaut instructor at NASA, astronauts on the ISS do not take traditional vacations, but they are allowed to observe holidays. The schedule is carefully planned to include eight holidays per year. Each crew member staying for six months is entitled to four holidays, which they choose before launch. The available options are based on the nationalities of the crew members and include holidays from the United States, Europe, Russia, Japan, or Canada.
During their holiday periods, astronauts can engage in personal activities such as viewing Earth from the Cupola module, a panoramic observation deck, playing musical instruments, watching movies or sports, or communicating with family and friends on Earth. However, they still need to maintain regular contact with ground control teams, be prepared to handle emergencies, and continue with daily physical exercise to counteract the effects of microgravity on their bodies.
Astronauts typically have a work schedule that includes five and a half days of work and one and a half days of rest per week. While rest days offer some relief, certain tasks remain mandatory, ensuring that the ISS continues to operate smoothly and safely. This balance between rest and responsibility is essential for both the well-being of the crew and the success of the mission.
Astronauts on the ISS Get Holidays, But Not All Crew Members Celebrate the Same Days
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Original sources:
- 🇫🇷Numerama



