In a recent article, we explored how a NASA invention for astronauts turned into memory foam mattresses that improve our sleep every night (see From NASA to Your Bedroom: The Evolution of Memory Foam Mattresses). But what about the astronauts themselves? Up on the International Space Station (ISS), crew members aren’t dozing on king-size beds; they’re cocooned in sleeping bags attached to the wall as they hurtle around Earth at 17,500 mph.
In fact, an astronaut on the ISS experiences 16 sunrises and sunsets every 24 hours, making a “normal” night’s sleep a bit of a cosmic challenge. It sounds wild, yet many astronauts insist that sleeping in space can be extremely comfortable – perhaps even more comfortable than on Earth – once you get used to it.
How Astronauts Go to Bed
Astronauts don’t use traditional mattresses in space. Instead, each crew member sleeps solo in a small, closet-like pod equipped with a sleeping bag tethered to the wall to prevent floating. In microgravity, there’s no up or down, astronauts can fall asleep upright, upside-down, or even on the “ceiling.” They zip into full-body bags, often strapping themselves in or adding makeshift touches like Velcro pillows or bungee cords for that snug, bed-like feel.
Their sleep quarters also have fans to circulate air, preventing dangerous buildups of carbon dioxide, which doesn't rise in weightlessness. Without ventilation, astronauts could rebreathe their CO₂ and wake up with headaches. To block out noise from life-support systems and bright sunlight from the 16 daily sunrises, crew members rely on earplugs and eye masks for better sleep quality.
There’s no mattress, not even memory foam, NASA’s invention used in space shuttle seats, isn’t part of an astronaut's bedtime. But inside their dark, ventilated pods, astronauts sleep safely and soundly, using just a wall-mounted sleeping bag and a few smart adaptations.
Why Astronauts Sleep Less in Space
You might be surprised to learn that astronauts usually get fewer hours of sleep in orbit than we do here on Earth. NASA schedules about 8 to 8.5 hours for sleep each day, but in reality, astronauts only average around 6 hours of sleep per night on the ISS. There are several reasons why sleep quality and quantity can suffer in space:
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Circadian rhythm confusion: Orbiting Earth every 90 minutes means astronauts see a sunrise or sunset 16 times daily. This wrecks the body’s natural 24-hour sleep cycle. To help realign their circadian rhythm, NASA uses adjustable LED lighting on the ISS to mimic day and night, but many crew members still need the help of sleep medication to drift off.
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Constant noise: The ISS hums with fans and machinery 24/7. While earplugs help, the noise can still affect sleep quality, leading to more disrupted nights.
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Too much light: Even during “night” hours, intense bright light from the Sun can slip through shades. Many astronauts rely on eye masks or cover their eyes to block it out.
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Microgravity side effects: In weightlessness, astronauts’ spines stretch, causing temporary back pain. Fluid shifts can trigger sinus pressure and headaches, which contributes to lack of sleep, especially during the first few days in orbit.
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Tight, warm quarters: The ISS is kept around 72°F (22°C), which can feel warm in a compact sleep pod. Limited space and the occasional rattling equipment can also disrupt sleep.
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Excitement & stress: Floating through space and seeing Earth from above is thrilling, so much so that it’s hard for astronauts to fall asleep. Add in intense workloads and rotating shift work schedules, and it’s no wonder NASA has a team to help astronauts manage fatigue with strategic naps, caffeine, and pre-launch sleep planning.
Is Space the Best Place to Sleep?
Despite the challenges, many astronauts say sleeping in space is surprisingly comfortable, some even call it the best sleep of their lives. That’s thanks to microgravity, which removes all pressure points. In a weightless sleeping bag, no part of your body is squished, nothing “falls asleep,” and every muscle can fully relax. It’s like floating on an invisible, perfectly contoured mattress.
Astronaut Nicole Stott loved it so much she tethered her sleeping bag to the ceiling and described the experience as “outstanding.” Once they adjust, many crew members report waking up refreshed after 6 hours of sleep, likely because their muscles aren’t working against gravity all day.
Back on Earth, astronauts often feel “heavy” and uncomfortable for a few nights as they readjust to gravity. Turns out, space might offer the kind of deep sleep quality we’ve been trying to recreate for decades, with the right airflow, quiet, darkness, and total body support.
Space Pods vs. Luxury Earth Beds
It’s interesting to compare an astronaut’s bedtime setup with our high-end sleep solutions here on Earth. On the space center, the “bedding” is as minimal as it gets: a sleeping bag attached to a wall, a ventilation fan, earplugs, and maybe a thin pillow or head cushion strapped in place. There are no satin sheets, spring mattresses, or memory foam toppers. The comfort comes from weightlessness and careful engineering (cooling fans as quiet as possible, and simulated darkness).
We can’t float here on Earth (at least not yet), so we’ve invented all sorts of technology to simulate that perfect comfort. Memory foam, for instance, was born from NASA research, it was invented to cushion and protect pilots and astronauts by absorbing G-forces and distributing weight evenly. That same material now cradles sleepers here on Earth, contouring to our bodies to reduce pressure points (almost like an attempt to recreate the pressure-free support of zero-g).
We also have adjustable bed bases that can elevate our heads and legs. Some even advertise a “Zero-gravity” sleep position, which NASA originally identified as the posture astronauts naturally take in microgravity.
An adjustable base allows you to raise your head and feet, putting your body in a neutral, weight-distributed position that feels like floating. This can relieve pressure on your spine and joints, much like the absence of gravity in space. In fact, NASA’s scientists developed this neutral body posture for shuttle launches to reduce stress on astronauts, and now you can mimic it in your bedroom with the push of a button.
Then there are the luxury linens and pillows we enjoy. On Earth, we love plush memory foam pillows, cooling gel toppers, Egyptian cotton or bamboo sheets, and weighted blankets for comfort. In space, astronauts don’t get fancy sheets, they sleep in their exercise clothes or PJs inside the sleeping bag. They don’t use heavy blankets (they’d be pointless without gravity to keep them on). Instead of thread count, they care more about their cabin's air quality and temperature control. Essentially, space replaces the soft mattress and gravity combo with air flow and microgravity to achieve comfort.
One fun fact: on Earth, we sometimes describe a comfy bed as “feeling like you’re weightless.” With today’s high-end memory foam mattresses and adjustable bases, that analogy isn’t far off, these products aim to reduce pressure and create a floating sensation for the sleeper.
For example, when you lie on a memory foam mattress, it molds to your body and supports you evenly, somewhat like how floating in space distributes your body’s pressure evenly. An adjustable base in Zero-G mode tilts you so that gravity’s pull is minimized on different body parts. In a way, our best Earth beds try to achieve what an astronaut’s sleeping pod does naturally, keeping you comfortable and free of aches and pains as you sleep.
Of course, we Earthlings do enjoy the luxuries of soft duvets, king-size mattresses to sprawl out on, and the freedom to roll around. Astronauts sacrifice a bit of that freedom (they’re snug in a small bag) for the unique perks of microgravity. And while an astronaut might wake up floating happily in the middle of their cabin, we’d probably prefer waking up on a stable, cozy mattress in our bedroom.
Bringing Space-Age Comfort to Your Bedroom
Space travel has taught us a lot about sleep. We’ve learned that complete weightlessness can lead to incredibly restful sleep, and that’s inspired innovations back here on Earth. Memory foam, adjustable “zero gravity” beds, advanced climate control, and bedroom lighting, all these trends owe a nod to the space program. NASA figured out how to help astronauts sleep in extreme conditions, and those lessons have trickled down to help improve our nightly routines (no rocket required).
The bottom line? You might not be able to float in your sleep tonight, but you can enjoy the next best thing: a mattress that uses NASA-developed memory foam to eliminate pressure points and keep you comfy.
If you’re ready to taste space-age sleep comfort in your home, check out Bedding Mart’s collection of quality memory foam mattresses. They’re engineered with that same gravity-defying idea in mind, contouring to your body for optimal support, so you feel light as a cloud. Pair it with an adjustable base to find your perfect “zero-G” position, wrap yourself in soft, breathable sheets, and you’ll be sleeping like an astronaut in no time (minus the 16 sunrise wake-up calls).
