Who Smarted? - Educational Podcast for Kids
Episode: What is the International Space Station (ISS)?
Release Date: March 24, 2025
Introduction: An Unexpected Visit to the ISS
In this exciting episode of "Who Smarted?", hosts Jim and Karen find themselves unexpectedly touring the International Space Station (ISS). The episode begins with Jim and Karen accidentally entering the ISS, leading to humorous interactions with the Trusty Narrator. Their surprise visit sets the stage for an engaging exploration of life aboard the space station.
Jim [00:56]: "I'm floating."
Karen [02:05]: "All goody. I've never been on a space station before."
Understanding the International Space Station
The Narrator kicks off the educational segment by addressing fundamental questions about the ISS: its size, speed, participating countries, and daily life for astronauts.
Journey to the ISS
Jim explains their arrival via Russia's Soyuz spacecraft, highlighting the shift from the now-discontinued Space Shuttle program.
Narrator [03:09]: "But it's not. However, NASA did announce it would be deorbiting the ISS in 2031."
Size and Structure
The ISS boasts 13,696 cubic feet of habitable space and weighs roughly a million pounds. It's a modular structure, expanded through 42 assembly flights since its inception in 1998. The station is divided into two main sections:
- Russian Orbital Segment (ROS)
- United States Orbital Segment (USOS), shared among collaborating countries.
Narrator [04:28]: "Overall, you're looking at 13,696 cubic feet of habitable space and roughly a million pounds of total weight."
International Collaboration
The ISS is a remarkable feat of international cooperation, involving five space agencies:
- NASA (United States)
- Roscosmos (Russia)
- ESA (Europe)
- JAXA (Japan)
- CSA (Canada)
Europe's contribution comes from 11 member states, including Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom.
Narrator [04:52]: "The ISS is a collaboration between five different space agencies. Smarty pants."
Life Aboard the ISS
Jim and Karen delve into the daily routines and unique living conditions on the ISS, uncovering how astronauts manage food, exercise, and even sleep in microgravity.
Daily Movement and Speed
Traveling at 17,000 miles per hour (5 miles per second), the ISS circles the Earth every 90 minutes, resulting in about 16 sunrises each day.
Narrator [06:07]: "The space station has an amazing, specially designed 360 degree bay window, perfect for viewing the sun as it rises over the Earth."
Living Quarters
The ISS contains six sleeping modules and three bathrooms. Astronauts sleep vertically in sleeping bags attached to the walls to prevent drifting in microgravity.
Narrator [15:49]: "Space station astronauts sleep vertically in sleeping bags instead of lying down like we do on Earth."
Eating in Space
Food on the ISS avoids canned goods to reduce weight and prevent crumbs, which can damage sensitive equipment. Instead, astronauts consume foods in pouches and use extra spices to compensate for reduced taste perception in microgravity.
Narrator [11:35]: "Cans are heavy, which makes them expensive to haul all the way up to space. Plus, your sense of taste is reduced in microgravity."
Hydration and Recycling
All water consumed on the ISS is 100% recycled, including water reclaimed from astronaut urine and even lab animals' waste, ensuring sustainability in the closed environment of the space station.
Narrator [12:08]: "I'm proud to say that the water you're drinking is 100% recycled."
Exercise Regimen
To combat bone and muscle loss caused by prolonged weightlessness, astronauts exercise for two and a half hours daily using specialized equipment like treadmills with harnesses and resistance machines that simulate weightlifting.
Narrator [13:39]: "Astronauts on the ISS work out for two and a half hours every day."
The Reality of Microgravity
A common misconception addressed in the episode is the notion of "zero gravity." The Narrator explains that the ISS experiences microgravity because it is in a state of constant free fall toward Earth while simultaneously moving forward at high speed. This delicate balance creates the sensation of weightlessness.
Narrator [14:51]: "The reason you float on the ISS isn't because there is zero gravity. It's because the ISS is in constant free fall back towards the Earth."
Conclusion: Reflecting on Space Living
As Jim and Karen wrap up their tour, they ponder the possibilities and challenges of living in space. Their humorous attempt to negotiate the "purchase" of the ISS adds a lighthearted finish to an informative journey through one of humanity's greatest engineering achievements.
Jim [16:18]: "Lay it on me. Narrator."
Narrator [16:26]: "Ivan, the International Space Station is generally considered the most expensive single item ever constructed. From 1998 until now, it's cost $150 billion to build. So I'd say 151 billion should do it."
Production Credits
This episode was written by Steve Melcher and voiced by Jenna Hoban, Sheffield Chastain, and Jerry Colbert. Technical direction and sound design were handled by Josh Hahn, with Max Kamasky serving as the associate producer. The theme song was composed by Brian Suarez with lyrics by Adam Tex Davis. "Who Smarted?" is a production of Atomic Entertainment and Starglow Media.
"Who Smarted?" continues to blend humor with educational content, making complex topics like the International Space Station accessible and entertaining for young listeners. This episode not only provides valuable insights into life in space but also fosters curiosity and a love for science and history among its audience.