Sunita in Space — Class 5 EVS (CBSE)
Based on the NCERT Looking Around Grade 5 textbook. Explore space travel through the experience of Sunita Williams, then solve the practice set.
1. Why this chapter matters
What is it like to float in space? How do astronauts eat, sleep, and drink in zero gravity? This chapter follows Sunita Williams' experience in space. Students learn about life without gravity — how things float, how water behaves, and how amazing Earth looks from space. The chapter sparks curiosity about space, science, and the universe.
2. Sunita Williams
Sunita Williams is an American astronaut of Indian origin. She was born in 1965 in Ohio, USA. Her father is from India (Gujarat). She has spent a total of 322 days in space across two missions.
Key achievements
- Second woman of Indian origin to go to space (after Kalpana Chawla).
- Set a record for the longest spaceflight by a woman (195 days in 2007).
- Ran the first marathon in space on the International Space Station (ISS).
- She has done multiple spacewalks.
3. Zero gravity (weightlessness)
In space, there is very little gravity. Astronauts float — this is called weightlessness or zero gravity.
Effects of zero gravity
| Activity | In zero gravity |
|---|---|
| Walking | You float. You push off walls to move around. |
| Eating | Food floats. It is served in pouches or as bite-sized pieces. |
| Drinking | Water floats in blobs. You drink from a bag with a straw. |
| Sleeping | You sleep in a sleeping bag attached to the wall (so you do not float away). |
| Brushing teeth | You swallow the toothpaste (no spitting — it would float!). |
| Exercising | You must exercise 2 hours daily to keep muscles and bones strong. |
4. Earth from space
From space, the Earth looks stunning. Sunita Williams described seeing:
- The blue oceans and white clouds.
- The brown landmasses and green forests.
- The thin layer of atmosphere that protects all life.
- Sunrise and sunset 16 times a day (the ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes).
Seeing Earth from space gives astronauts a deep appreciation for our planet. This is called the Overview Effect.
5. Water in space
Water behaves very differently in space.
- Water does not fall — it forms floating balls (spheres) because of surface tension.
- Astronauts drink water from special bags with straws.
- Water is recycled on the ISS — even sweat and urine are purified and reused.
- A water bubble can be used as a magnifying lens.
Why water forms spheres in space
On Earth, gravity pulls water down. In space, there is no gravity to pull it, so surface tension pulls water into the smallest possible shape — a sphere.
6. The International Space Station (ISS)
The ISS is a large spacecraft that orbits Earth. It is a laboratory where astronauts from different countries live and work.
- Orbits Earth every 90 minutes.
- Travels at 28,000 km per hour.
- Has been continuously occupied since November 2000.
- Countries involved: USA, Russia, Japan, Canada, and European countries.
- India also has space programmes (ISRO) with missions to the Moon and Mars.
7. Activity corner
Activity 1: Try to eat a meal with your eyes closed while sitting still. Imagine doing this while floating! Write about the experience.
Activity 2: Draw a picture of Earth as seen from space. Colour the oceans blue, the land green/brown, and add white clouds.
Activity 3: Write five questions you would ask an astronaut if you met one.
8. Common mistakes
- Mistake: Thinking there is no gravity at all in space Fix: There is gravity in space. Astronauts float because they are in free fall — falling towards Earth but moving sideways so fast that they keep missing it.
- Mistake: Believing astronauts eat 'space food' from tubes like in cartoons Fix: Astronauts eat normal food (like tortillas, fruits, nuts) that is specially packaged.
- Mistake: Confusing Sunita Williams with Kalpana Chawla Fix: Both are women of Indian origin who went to space. Kalpana Chawla (who died in the Columbia disaster in 2003) was the first Indian woman in space.
9. Key facts
- Sunita Williams: American astronaut of Indian origin.
- 322 total days in space across two missions.
- Zero gravity: astronauts float, food floats, water forms spheres.
- ISS orbits Earth every 90 minutes at 28,000 km/h.
- Earth from space: blue oceans, white clouds, thin atmosphere.
- Water in space: floats as spheres, recycled on the ISS.
- Astronauts must exercise 2 hours daily in space.
10. Self-test
- Who is Sunita Williams?
- How do astronauts drink water in space?
- What happens to water in zero gravity?
- How fast does the International Space Station travel?
- What is the 'Overview Effect'?
11. Answer key
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Who is Sunita Williams? Answer: She is an American astronaut of Indian origin who has spent over 300 days in space.
-
How do astronauts drink water in space? Answer: They drink from special bags with straws because water floats in zero gravity.
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What happens to water in zero gravity? Answer: Water forms floating spherical blobs due to surface tension.
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How fast does the International Space Station travel? Answer: About 28,000 km per hour. It orbits Earth every 90 minutes.
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What is the 'Overview Effect'? Answer: The deep appreciation and awe astronauts feel when they see Earth from space — a beautiful, fragile planet with a thin atmosphere.
12. Quick revision
- Sunita Williams: Indian-origin astronaut, 322 days in space.
- Zero gravity: floating, special eating and drinking.
- Water forms spheres in space (surface tension).
- ISS: travels at 28,000 km/h, orbits in 90 minutes.
- Earth from space: stunning blue marble.
- Astronauts exercise, recycle water, and work together.
- Space travel teaches us to appreciate our planet.
- India's ISRO has its own successful space programme.
