Is it possible to have sex in space? Scientists are divided

After NASA astronauts Butch Wilmore and Suni Williams got stranded on the International Space Station, social media began discussing how the couple might spend their unplanned 10 months in weightlessness. Quite a few comments like whether they took birth control with them appeared.

Is sex in space possible? Scientists have argued about it many times, but have not found a definite answer, writes DailyMail.

NASA is against sex

According to NASA's official line, no human has ever had sex in space. Although the astronauts themselves do not comment on the subject.

In 1992, the space agency sent newlyweds on a joint mission into space. Although both NASA and the lovers denied that they had intimacy in weightlessness, it is not known how it really was.

It's true that after this incident, the U.S. space agency made an official ruling that married couples could not fly together. And since 2010 it has explicitly stated that it does not allow sex between astronauts.

Whether sex in space is possible

"Sex in space is physically possible, but it's not as easy as it is here on Earth," said Adam Watkins, associate professor of reproductive and developmental physiology at the University of Nottingham.

Dr. Watkins noted that there are limitations in space that complicate the ability to have intercourse. According to the expert, there is little space on the ISS for a couple to be alone together. But the biggest problem would be the lack of gravity.

However, there is nothing that cannot overcome human ingenuity. To facilitate the intimate process, experts advise using the "resuscitation bench," where astronauts practice cardiopulmonary resuscitation while in orbit. There, in particular, you can fasten yourself with belts for a certain comfort.

In addition, former NASA bioethicist Paul Ruth Volpe advises not to forget the Velcro available on the ISS walls. "Everything on the walls of the space station is covered in Velcro, so you can take advantage of that by attaching one partner to the wall. You have to be creative in that space," Paul prompted.

Does intimate desire arise in space

According to scientists, astronauts in space cause severe disruptions in their hormonal cycles, including a decrease in estrogen levels. This hormonal imbalance leads to a lower libido, which can lead to astronauts simply not wanting to have sex.

In space, it is also common to experience sudden changes in blood pressure. This rush of blood not only affects astronauts' vision and affects facial puffiness, but also has an effect on male function. "There can be some biological problems. For example, getting and maintaining an erection in space is more difficult than here on Earth because of the changes in blood pressure that occur while in space," Dr. Watkins noted.

However, former NASA astronaut Ron Garan commented: "I don't know anything that happens to the human body on Earth that couldn't happen in space.

And another former NASA astronaut, Michael Mullane, wrote in his book On a Rocket, "I had an erection so hard it hurt. I could have even drilled through the kryptonite."

"Getting "knocked up" in space

The biggest concern for any astronauts thinking about intimacy is the risk of pregnancy.

A number of studies have shown that getting pregnant in space is very difficult, and potentially even impossible. However, Dr. Watkins notes that since no one has ever gotten pregnant in space, scientists cannot know what the consequences would be.

The biggest risk to a pregnant woman in space is radiation. According to Dr. Watkins, astronauts spending six months in space are exposed to about the same amount of radiation as 1,000 chest X-rays.

"A pregnant woman and her developing fetus will also be exposed to this cosmic radiation while in space. This could be harmful to the embryos and the fetus," Adam Watkins emphasized.

But, according to the scientist, the study of the effect of radiation on born and unborn children requires research.

"Now that there are plans to colonize the Moon and even Mars, the question of how we will populate other worlds has become important. And this will need to be solved if we want to create, maintain and develop human colonies outside of Earth," the scientist summarized.

Only verified information from us in Telegram-channel OBOZ.UA and Viber. Do not fall for fakes!