Astronauts who visit the International Space Station (ISS) typically spend about six months there before returning to Earth. However, some of them stay much longer.
Living in cramped conditions in microgravity, far from family and friends, is a challenge for even the toughest people. How do astronauts on board the ISS cope with their unusual environment 250 miles above Earth?
Well, a short video released by NASA on Thursday shows how astronauts spend their downtime after work days that can last up to 14 hours.
How do astronauts relax in space? Watch them enjoy some of their favorite hobbies 250 miles above Earth. pic.twitter.com/q5eIHKOpxN
— International Space Station (@Space_Station) December 18, 2025
As you can see, activities can include anything from fitness training and sports to photography and playing musical instruments.
“How they spend their free time is up to them,” says the video’s narrator, adding, “What’s important is maintaining your mental health and finding ways to relax and relieve stress.”
For many astronauts visiting the space station, photography has always been a popular pastime. The orbital outpost features a selection of professional DSLR cameras and lenses. Most astronauts head to the seven-window dome to take pictures of Earth and beyond.
Some crew members go to great lengths to plan their photo sessions, determining in advance exactly which part of the Earth the ISS will fly over at a given time, and then selecting specific moments to photograph areas of interest – assuming there is no cloud cover.
During his two visits to the space station, French astronaut Thomas Pesquet gained a reputation for taking incredible images of Earth, some of which you can see in this Daily Sparkz article. After returning from his second ISS trip in 2021, he even turned his hobby into a book.
Don Pettit is another astronaut who loved photographing what he saw outside the dome and impressed Earthlings with stunning images captured on his numerous trips to the space station.
For more information about how astronauts live and work aboard the ISS, check out these videos from former crew members.
