In a groundbreaking new study scientists have embarked on the first archaeological fieldwork ever conducted in space revealing that the International Space Station (ISS) is more than just a high-tech lab orbiting Earth it’s a rich cultural landscape where astronauts creatively adapt their environment to meet their unique needs.
While archaeology traditionally brings to mind ancient ruins and long-lost civilizations, it’s also a powerful tool for understanding how people live and work in extreme environments—like space. In this innovative experiment, known as the Sampling Quadrangle Assemblages Research Experiment (SQuARE), researchers re-imagined a classic archaeological method for use in space, enlisting astronauts to help document their surroundings.
The ISS, humanity’s first permanent outpost in space, has hosted nearly 280 people over its 23-year history. It’s a place where nations come together to push the boundaries of science and technology, but it’s also a place where astronauts live, work, and adapt in ways that are deeply human.
From personal mementos like photos and religious icons to the ingenious use of simple technologies like Velcro and resealable bags, the space station is filled with the small, everyday objects that make life in microgravity possible. These items help astronauts recreate the gravity-bound world they left behind, providing a sense of normalcy in a truly extraordinary setting.
In January 2022, the SQuARE experiment kicked off with astronauts marking out five roughly square sample areas across different modules of the ISS. These squares were carefully chosen to represent zones of work, science, exercise, and leisure. The crew even selected a sixth square based on their own intuition of what might be interesting to observe. For 60 days, the astronauts photographed each square daily, capturing the objects within their boundaries.
What these photos revealed was eye-opening: the ISS is far from the sleek, sci-fi image of space travel. Instead, it’s cluttered, chaotic, and full of creative adaptations. The lines between work and relaxation blur, privacy is almost non-existent, and the environment is constantly evolving as astronauts find new ways to make the space their own.
Findings from the First Two Squares
One of the squares studied was located in the US Node 2 module, an area intended for maintenance work. This square, however, was rarely used for its intended purpose. Instead, it became a makeshift storage area, with Velcro strips holding various items in place. Over the 60-day period, the square was primarily a temporary home for objects passing through the station, illustrating how astronauts repurpose spaces to suit their immediate needs.
Another square, located in the US Node 3 module, served multiple purposes. This area, near exercise machines and the station’s toilet, became an eclectic storage spot. Among the items stored there was a crew member’s toiletry kit—a personal item placed in a public space. This placement highlighted the limited privacy aboard the ISS and how astronauts adapt their surroundings to make up for it.
What These Findings Mean for Future Space Stations
The SQuARE experiment’s findings offer more than just a glimpse into the daily life of astronauts; they provide valuable insights for the design of future space habitats. The creative use of Velcro and other restraints to create “gravity” in microgravity shows that storage and organization are crucial in space. As new space stations are planned, including commercial stations in low Earth orbit and the lunar Gateway, designers might need to prioritize better storage solutions and consider the human need for privacy and personal space.
While the ISS is slated for decommissioning in 2031, this experiment may be our only chance to gather archaeological data from humanity’s longest-surviving space habitat. The insights gained from these squares are just the beginning there’s much more to learn from the other squares that were part of this study.
As we continue to explore the final frontier, understanding how astronauts live and adapt in space will be key to ensuring that future missions are not just scientifically successful but also humanly sustainable.
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