What's it like to live on the International Space Station?

By Lauren Kent, CNN

Updated 1043 GMT (1843 HKT) October 18, 2019

NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan views Earth from 250 miles away during a spacewalk at the International Space Station, an orbiting space laboratory, assembled through a decades-long collaboration of countries.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
NASA astronaut Andrew Morgan views Earth from 250 miles away during a spacewalk at the International Space Station, an orbiting space laboratory, assembled through a decades-long collaboration of countries.
Hide Caption
1 of 9
NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Andrew Morgan store research samples in a science freezer inside the U.S. Destiny laboratory module.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
NASA astronauts Christina Koch and Andrew Morgan store research samples in a science freezer inside the U.S. Destiny laboratory module.
Hide Caption
2 of 9
The International Space Station crew celebrated European Day of Languages on September 26, recognizing the three different languages spoken on board. Each astronaut speaks at least two!
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
The International Space Station crew celebrated European Day of Languages on September 26, recognizing the three different languages spoken on board. Each astronaut speaks at least two!
Hide Caption
3 of 9
NASA spacewalkers prepare for a seven hour and one minute spacewalk during which they upgraded the station's batteries to newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
NASA spacewalkers prepare for a seven hour and one minute spacewalk during which they upgraded the station's batteries to newer, more powerful lithium-ion batteries.
Hide Caption
4 of 9
NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) are suited up in US spacesuits, assisted by NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir and European Space Agency Commander Luca Parmitano.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
NASA astronauts Andrew Morgan (left) and Christina Koch (right) are suited up in US spacesuits, assisted by NASA Flight Engineer Jessica Meir and European Space Agency Commander Luca Parmitano.
Hide Caption
5 of 9
Astronaut Andrew Morgan replaces the batteries, which store and distribute power collected from the station's solar panels, which are directly behind Morgan.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
Astronaut Andrew Morgan replaces the batteries, which store and distribute power collected from the station's solar panels, which are directly behind Morgan.
Hide Caption
6 of 9
NASA astronaut Christina Koch conducts a spacewalk to upgrade International Space Station power systems. Koch will also take part in the first all-female spacewalk.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
NASA astronaut Christina Koch conducts a spacewalk to upgrade International Space Station power systems. Koch will also take part in the first all-female spacewalk.
Hide Caption
7 of 9
Japan's Kounotori H-II Transfer Vehicle 8 (HTV-8), attached to the International Space Station.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
Japan's Kounotori H-II Transfer Vehicle 8 (HTV-8), attached to the International Space Station.
Hide Caption
8 of 9
The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ascends into space, bringing astronaut Jessica Meir, cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates to the International Space Station.
Photos: What's it like to live at the International Space Station?
The Soyuz MS-15 spacecraft ascends into space, bringing astronaut Jessica Meir, cosmonaut Oleg Skripochka and spaceflight participant Hazzaa Ali Almansoori of the United Arab Emirates to the International Space Station.
Hide Caption
9 of 9
01 International Space Station08 International Space Station07 International Space Station10 International Space Station04 International Space Station05 International Space Station02 International Space Station06 International Space Station11 International Space Station

(CNN)When it comes to business travel, astronauts take the cake. The six space scientists and engineers who live and work in the International Space Station are traveling at a speed of five miles per second -- orbiting Earth once every 92 minutes.

As far as we know, they don't earn frequent flyer miles, but they do get to spend an average of six months living and working with a multinational crew in what's arguably the coolest office in the solar system.
So what exactly is the International Space Station? And what's it like to live and work 250 miles above the Earth?

    A laboratory in the sky