Sending 1 lb of cargo into space costs about $10,000! So how do space agencies afford to send supplies like oxygen, water, and food to their astronauts? Before they found a more efficient solution, they’d pack all the water into space with them in their rockets. The water took up a lot of room that could’ve otherwise been used for other supplies. That, and the added weight wasted fuel. So short answer: nope, it doesn’t go with the crew from the get-go.

That means they deliver it, right? That’d be too risky…and expensive! There’s no 100% guarantee that something bad won’t happen to the cargo ship at launch or on the way to the International Space Station. If the cargo doesn’t get to the station, then the next delivery will have to wait a very long time. That’s not an option since it’s dangerous for the astronauts. Ok, so let’s break it down item by item.

Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices