Spacing Out : Tour of Mock Space Station Offers Glimpse Into Life Without Gravity

Randy Rea admits he has a bit of an altitude problem. Every time the 10-year-old Reseda boy tries sleeping on the top of his bunk bed, he falls off.

On Wednesday, Randy discovered one solution that may be a little out of reach--by say, 230 miles.

Zippered securely inside an astronaut’s “bed” on a mock-up of the International Space Station, Randy learned that in zero gravity, nobody falls out of bed.

“You can sleep upside down,” said Randy, strapped against the wall in the red sleeping restraint. “It’s pretty cool.”

But living the high life of an astronaut has its downside, too, as Rea and dozens of others learned during their tour of the mock space station set up in the parking lot of Rocketdyne in Canoga Park, which is open to the public through Sunday.

Standing in a tiny bathroom smaller than most closets, Randy’s brother Billy, 11, asked an obvious question for a zero-gravity environment: “How do you stand up and pee?”

NASA and Rocketdyne officials are only too happy to explain. Both want the public’s support for the station, particularly because looming budget cutbacks have raised concerns over future congressional funding for the $15.3-billion station.

Of that total, $1.5 billion would go to Rocketdyne, which is building the electrical system for the station, which can house six astronauts at a time. Scheduled to operate by 2003, the station is a joint venture by the United States, Russia, Japan and nine European countries.

Meanwhile, visitors wanted to know exactly how their money--about $9 per year per American taxpayer--is being spent. For the most part, the answer is simple: for $15.3 billion, astronauts still have to rough it.

Take Billy’s question about the toilet, for instance . . .

Astronauts must either clamp themselves down to the toilet with leg restraints or use a vacuum tube for urination.

If that sounds uncomfortable, try keeping clean in space. Because all water is recycled, astronauts can only afford one, five-liter shower a week. The astronauts slip into a big plastic bag, spray in the water, then vacuum it off.

“In space, the water forms droplets, and if it gets into the electrical systems, it could cause a hazard,” NASA spokeswoman Cindy Abole said.

But there’s no problem getting kids to wash their hands before meals. Billy, 11, said his favorite display was the sink--a plastic dome with sprinklers, fans and two holes for the astronauts’ hands.

“It washes your hands and sucks them dry,” said Billy.

Added Abole: “We’ve gotten lots of requests from parents to develop this technology for use here on Earth.”

Another out-of-this world experience is the meals, which are contained in sealed packages inside one of the many storage racks in the school-bus-sized living quarters. The standard fare: dehydrated chicken a la king, green beans and apple cider.

“Each of the food packages has Velcro on it to attach it to the table,” said Abole, pointing to a small fold-out table. “It’s the challenge of the astronauts to get the food from the table to their mouths.”

Despite the ups and downs of life in space, most of those visiting the NASA exhibit believed they were getting their money’s worth in the space station.

“This is wonderful,” said Marilynn Band, 40, of Woodland Hills. “You can really see how they live. It’s almost like being at Disneyland.” On Space Mountain.