(CNN/NASA) -- The International Space Station orbits the earth every 90 minutes traveling about 17,500 miles per hour.
It's an understatement to say the astronauts and cosmonauts on board enjoy a spectacular view. But daily life in lower Earth's orbit is hard work and at times complicated. Even getting clean is a challenge. There's no shower here, instead they use towels, wipes, and a rinseless shampoo.
On board this $100 billion research laboratory, there are never more than six crew members at a time. They stay for about six months, which can feel like an eternity living on pre-packaged food.
"We use a lot of the same items the military uses -- the meals-ready-to-eat, the MRE's," says former ISS astronaut Leroy Chiao.
Every so often supply ships like the one that exploded this week bring fresh fruit and vegetables.
"Around our dinner, this is a table for 6 - we don't have plates - of course we don't need plates in space because everything would just float away," says on space station astronaut.
There are no refrigerators in space and salt and pepper? Only in liquid form, otherwise the particles would be airborne, clogging air vents or getting in an astronaut's eye. Peanut butter on a specially packaged tortilla is a space station staple.
Most of the day is spent working on science experiments that only a microgravity environment can provide. There are also medical experiments, which can judge how well their bodies adjust to life in space for long periods of time.
Of course sometimes there are spacewalks, otherwise it's more mundane stuff like what you might do at home back on Earth.
"You have to change out some filters. Or you got, lightbulbs burned out, you have take time to change the lightbulbs out," says Chiao.
And while you may be weightless in space -- exercise is a must, using equipment you won't find on earth, like this treadmill.
If you're wondering about a bathroom break during the day, thanks to microgravity, using this tiny toilet isn't easy.
Sleeping is easier -- as long as the astronauts remember to tie down their sleeping bags.
When the mission is complete, a Soyuz spacecraft brings them back to earth. The return trip takes just 3 1/2 hours.
