Time Zones in Space: How Astronauts Stay on Schedule Without Sunrises
How Astronauts Tell Time in Space: The Science of Timekeeping Beyond Earth Astronauts see 16 sunrises a day—so how do they keep track of time? Learn how time zones work in space, from the ISS to future Mars missions. Time zones on Earth are already complicated, but what happens when you leave the planet? In space, where there’s no sunrise or sunset to guide daily life, how do astronauts know what time it is? Managing time in orbit—and beyond—is a challenge that requires careful planning, precise coordination, and a bit of creativity. Why Time Works Differently in Space On Earth, we base time zones on the Sun’s position. But in space, things get tricky: 🌍 The International Space Station (ISS) orbits Earth every 90 minutes – That means astronauts see 16 sunrises and sunsets every day ! If they followed local “daytime” in space, their schedule would be completely chaotic. 🪐 Different planets have different day lengths – A day on Mars lasts ...