Popular culture tells us that it's very cold in space, but is that really true? On Earth, most everyday objects cool down by losing energy through conduction and convection. But in the vacuum of space, conduction and convection can't happen, so the only way the International Space Station can lose heat is through radiation. Exposure to rays from the sun, energy transfers from the machinery and the body heat from the astronauts themselves are continually heating up the space station, so how do they cool it down? Research the International Space Station and how its cooling system works. 1. How is waste heat removed from the space station? Can you think of another way that this could be accomplished? 2. Would you want to live and work aboard the International Space Station? Why or why not? 3. What do you think would be the best thing about being on the International Space Station? What do you think would be the worst thing