This is the NASA Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory. #space #nasa | Josh Universe

98K views · 5.6K reactions | Follow a day in the life at the office—a 6.2-million-gallon pool—for NASA dive specialist Arielle Valdez. At the Neutral Buoyancy Lab, a simulated microgravity environment, she trains astronauts for spacewalks. Watch the latest Surprisingly STEM episode to see how swimming and STEM go hand in hand. More NASA STEM resources and activities for educators and students: stem.nasa.gov | NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration | Facebook

NASA Astronauts train for spacewalks in America’s largest pool, the Neutral Buoyancy Lab. To simulate microgravity, they practice underwater using a full-scale replica of the space station. Astronaut Anne McClain describes a spacewalk as “hanging off a cliff and performing brain surgery at the same time.” Credit: Smithsonian | National Astronaut Day

Suit up with NASA astronaut Anil Menon. Johnson’s Neutral Buoyancy Laboratory in Houston provides astronauts an underwater atmosphere resembling zero gravity (weightlessness) to train for spacewalks. For years, NASA Astronauts have performed spacewalks outside the International Space Station for maintenance and upgrades while wearing the Extravehicular Mobility Unit (EMU) spacesuit. The spacesuit can weigh anywhere from about 250-300 pounds on the ground. Spacewalks are some of the most physical