Is there a term for the activity of weightless astronauts hanging out on walls or ceilings?

Asked May 24 '19 at 05:54

Active Apr 10 '20 at 18:42

Viewed 161 times

Weightless astronauts often sit, stand, walk, or sleep on (or near) surfaces that (with gravity) we would normally call walls or ceilings. I reference such a phenomenon in my comment here:

I would also add that the bulk of the CSM flight was in weightlessness, which allows astronauts to reside in places and orientations that are not otherwise convenient. (Shuttle astronauts also took advantage of this.)

Is there an accepted name or jargon for this activity?

edited May 24 '19 at 16:16

uhoh

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asked May 24 '19 at 05:54

DrSheldon

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It's called being weightless.... – GdD May 24 '19 at 07:32
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It's not an ability of the astronauts. It's a disability of those observers whose minds insist on seeing surfaces as walls and ceilings, terms that have no meaning in those situations. – Ray Butterworth May 24 '19 at 13:39
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@RayButterworth the Space Shuttle cockpit had clearly defined floors, walls and ceilings, regardless of whether it was on the pad, on the ground, or in free-fall. Moving the vehicle to different places doesn't change the names of the inner structure parts. – Organic Marble May 24 '19 at 13:55
@RayButterworth have a look at When reading “the writing on the wall” in the ISS, which way is up? and its answer. – uhoh May 24 '19 at 16:17
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Anecdotally, I have heard long duration crew refer to the act of moving from one place to another by using the verb "to fly." Can't remember any unusual terms being used to describe hanging out... – Digger May 24 '19 at 20:14
You're weightless. What's a ceiling? – Oscar Lanzi Apr 12 '20 at 13:02

Is there a term for the activity of weightless astronauts hanging out on walls or ceilings?

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