Astronaut Logbook: A week in the life of an astronaut with Samantha Cristoforetti
Your Mission: Follow Samantha's routine on the ISS for one week and compare her daily tasks to yours. Observe your everyday routine and keep a record of it.
In this logbook activity set, students will learn about a typical week in the life of an astronaut. They will identify how life is different on Earth than it is in space and compare their week to that of ESA astronaut Samantha Cristoforetti.
They will analyse and compare their daily exercise and nutrition, assess how the choices they make in their clothing and hobbies, and discuss the skills they need to work in a team.
Science, Social Studies
- Learn about the differences between life in space and on Earth
- Learn about the importance of eating healthily
- Identify why exercise is important in space and on Earth
- Identify key skills needed to work in a team
- Learn what an astronaut’s typical week looks like in space

Day 1: Food
Food is very important for astronauts to stay healthy in space, and they usually have three meals a day: breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Take a look at Samantha's meal plan for one day in space.

Day 2: Exercise
Keeping fit and doing daily exercise is very important for astronauts on the ISS. Explore how Samantha uses a machine to exercise on the ISS.

Day 3: Hobbies
During a typical day, Samantha tends to experiments and essential maintenance, exercises, and participates in daily task meetings and health checks. See how she unwinds and relaxes once all the work is done.

Day 4: Clothing
Surprisingly, astronauts can wear the same clothes they wear on Earth whilst they’re on the ISS! But some special clothing is required during certain times. Check out the different kinds of clothing Samantha wears in space.

Day 5: Teamwork
Working together is very important for astronauts on board the ISS. Explore how Samantha works with her fellow astronauts throughout a mission.
Explore more Mission X activities!
Join ESA astronaut, Samantha Cristoforetti and Jaime from Cosmic Kids on a brand new adventure… Yoga in Space! Follow along …
Your Mission: Investigate healthy food choices and Calorie needs for life on earth vs. life in space Astronauts living on …
Your Mission: Perform a climb training activity on wall bars or a rock wall to improve balance and coordination, and …
Your Mission: Perform jump training with a rope to improve strength and endurance. On Earth, humans experience the effects of …
Your Mission: Discover the fat content of a meal and formulate a balanced meal using fat content information. As astronauts …
Votre mission: Résistez à la gravité pour marquer le plus de points possible. This resource was created by CNES, ESERO …
In microgravity, astronauts love to perform spectacular somersaults. Here on Earth it’s not so easy, but it certainly is fun! …
Your Mission: Train with a cycle to improve leg muscles, cardio-vascular fitness and endurance. One exercise device that is regularly …
Your Mission: Perform a walk, progressing to 1600m to improve lung, heart, and other muscle endurance. When exploring space, astronauts …
Let’s HIIT the space gym and get ready to sweat! To keep those hearts and lungs healthy, perform a series …
Tag:Science