{"id":17141,"date":"2025-02-15T01:53:06","date_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:53:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp-productionenv-bjg9h2g2bgg5b8aa.southeastasia-01.azurewebsites.net\/news\/sex-in-space-find-out-how-science-weighs-the-pluses-and-minuses-on-valentines-day\/"},"modified":"2025-02-15T01:53:06","modified_gmt":"2025-02-14T17:53:06","slug":"sex-in-space-find-out-how-science-weighs-the-pluses-and-minuses-on-valentines-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/news\/sex-in-space-find-out-how-science-weighs-the-pluses-and-minuses-on-valentines-day\/","title":{"rendered":"Sex in space? Find out how science weighs the pluses and minuses on Valentine\u2019s Day"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-full-width\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"630\" height=\"344\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove-630x344.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-859267\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove-630x344.jpg 630w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove-1260x687.jpg 1260w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove-768x419.jpg 768w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove-1536x838.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/250213-spacelove.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 630px) 100vw, 630px\"><figcaption data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"wp-element-caption\">The effects of the space environment\u2019s reduced gravity on sexual intimacy and reproduction have been debated for decades. (Credit: Catrin1309 \/ Bigstock)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>You might think sex in space would be an out-of-this-world experience \u2014 but based on the scientific evidence so far, low-gravity intimacy isn\u2019t likely to be as much of a high as it sounds. In fact, dwelling too deeply on the challenges of off-Earth sex and reproduction could be a real mood-killer.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cIn one\u2019s fantasies, or on a quick imaginary level, you think, \u2018Wow, think of the possibilities,&#8217;\u201d says Mary Roach, author of \u201cPacking for Mars,\u201d a book about the science of living in space. \u201cBut in fact, to stay coupled is a little tough, because \u2026 you know, you bounce apart. So, I said this to one of the astronauts at NASA, and he said, \u2018Nothing a little duct tape won\u2019t take care of.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>Fortunately, Roach won\u2019t be delving too deeply into the downside during her Valentine\u2019s Day talk at Seattle\u2019s Museum of Flight. At the 21-and-over event, she plans to focus on the lighter side of living in space \u2014 including zero-gravity sex. In the latest episode of the Fiction Science podcast, Roach provides an update on \u201cPacking for Mars,\u201d plus a preview of tonight\u2019s \u201cMars Love Affair\u201d presentation.<\/p>\n<p><iframe allow=\"autoplay *; encrypted-media *; fullscreen *; clipboard-write\" frameborder=\"0\" height=\"175\" style=\"width:100%;max-width:660px;overflow:hidden;border-radius:10px;\" sandbox=\"allow-forms allow-popups allow-same-origin allow-scripts allow-storage-access-by-user-activation allow-top-navigation-by-user-activation\" src=\"https:\/\/embed.podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/mary-roach-on-the-science-of-space-sex\/id1528078321?i=1000692110514\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<p>Have astronauts already \u201cdone it\u201d in space? More than 15 years ago, Roach devoted a not-insignificant amount of time trying to track down the truth behind long-running rumors about high-altitude affairs, mostly to no avail. NASA keeps mum on the subject as a matter of policy, but Roach did pick up some intel from the Russians. She recalls asking a former cosmonaut whether sex happened in space.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cOf course,&#8217;\u201d she says she was told. \u201cYou have sex by hand.\u201d<\/p>\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"178\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg-178x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-859341\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg-178x300.jpg 178w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg-630x1061.jpg 630w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg-200x337.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg-59x100.jpg 59w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Mary-Roach-c-Jen-Siska-lg.jpg 724w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 178px) 100vw, 178px\"><figcaption data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"wp-element-caption\">Mary Roach is the author of \u201cPacking for Mars\u201d and other books about the weird frontiers of science. (Photo by Jen Siska \/ jensiska.com)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>The most scientifically illuminating information came from biologists who study the behavior of animals that mate in water, such as dolphins, otters and spotted seals. Roach learned that those species spend a good deal of energy just hanging onto each other in the coital position.<\/p>\n<p>To make zero-G intimacy easier for humans, some enterprising souls have suggested new types of sexual aids \u2014 ranging from straps and \u201csnuggle tunnels\u201d to zero-gravity suits specifically designed to make the best of the experience.<\/p>\n<p>Does zero gravity enhance or deaden arousal? When astronauts first go into zero-G, they typically experience a shift in fluids from the upper body to the lower body, swelling up their faces and heads. That can lead to a feeling of stuffiness \u2014 and more significantly, eye problems. Fluid shifts might also affect blood flow to sexual organs, although the evidence is debatable.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThere were varying opinions on that,\u201d Roach says. Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane said in his autobiography that he \u201ccould have drilled through kryptonite,\u201d she notes. \u201cAnd then one of the Apollo guys was like, \u2018Yeah, not much happening.&#8217;\u201d<\/p>\n<p>The space sex issue isn\u2019t just a matter of prurient interest. In their recently published book, \u201cA City on Mars,\u201d Kelly and Zach Weinersmith say there\u2019s been too little research into how reduced gravity affects pregnancy and early development. The evidence so far has led some scientists to voice concerns.<\/p>\n<p>Roach agrees that more research is needed. \u201cIf our ultimate goal is to one day colonize other celestial bodies \u2014 if that\u2019s what we\u2019re trying to do \u2014 it kind of behooves us to figure out if we can even do that,\u201d she says.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"alignright size-medium is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"199\" height=\"300\" src=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/packing-cover-199x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-859349\" style=\"width:250px\" srcset=\"https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/packing-cover-199x300.jpg 199w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/packing-cover-200x302.jpg 200w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/packing-cover-66x100.jpg 66w, https:\/\/cdn.geekwire.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/packing-cover.jpg 295w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 199px) 100vw, 199px\"><figcaption data-nosnippet=\"\" class=\"wp-element-caption\">\u201cPacking for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void,\u201d by Mary Roach. (W.W. Norton &amp; Co.)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Space sex isn\u2019t the only topic covered in \u201cPacking for Mars,\u201d and it\u2019s not likely to be the only topic Roach talks about at the Museum of Flight event. She also researched the psychological effects of long-term confinement in a spacecraft, the challenges of preparing and consuming food in space, and how human waste in space is processed (and in some cases recycled).<\/p>\n<p>If this evening\u2019s conversation strays into other weird topics having to do with bodily functions, Roach is prepared to go there. She\u2019s also written books about earthbound sex (\u201cBonk\u201d), the digestive system (\u201cGulp\u201d), the challenges that warfighters face (\u201cGrunt\u201d) and even the science of human cadavers (\u201cStiff\u201d). She says her next book, \u201cReplaceable You,\u201d will focus on \u201cdifferent bits and pieces of the body, and efforts to fabricate them, make them, replace them, and why that works and doesn\u2019t work.\u201d <\/p>\n<p>How does she come up with this stuff? \u201cIt\u2019s just me thrashing around, and emailing people, and turning over rocks and going, \u2018Is this interesting enough?&#8217;\u201d she says. \u201cIt\u2019s me following my own curiosity and landing on things that I feel are interesting.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>So, would she ever consider landing on Mars? \u201cHell, no,\u201d she says. \u201cMars would be amazing, but I\u2019m too grumpy and complaining to be in a small space for that long, with such a limited sense of whether I\u2019ll get back alive. But the moon \u2014 I would love to go to the moon.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr class=\"wp-block-separator has-alpha-channel-opacity\">\n<p><em>\u201cMars Love Affair: A Night With Mary Roach\u201d begins today at 6:30 p.m. at Seattle\u2019s Museum of Flight, and will be preceded by a 6 p.m. VIP reception. Attendees must be 21 or older. For further information about the event and ticket options, check out the museum\u2019s website.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em>My co-host for the Fiction Science podcast is Dominica Phetteplace, an&nbsp;award-winning writer&nbsp;who is a graduate of the&nbsp;Clarion West Writers Workshop&nbsp;and lives in San Francisco. To learn more about Phetteplace, visit her website,&nbsp;DominicaPhetteplace.com.<\/em><\/p>\n<p><em><em>Fiction Science is included in&nbsp;FeedSpot\u2019s 100 Best Sci-Fi Podcasts.&nbsp;<\/em>Take a look at&nbsp;the&nbsp;original version of this item on Cosmic Log&nbsp;to get Mary Roach\u2019s recommendations for further reading, and stay tuned for future&nbsp;episodes of the&nbsp;Fiction Science podcast&nbsp;via&nbsp;Apple,&nbsp;Spotify,&nbsp;Player.fm,&nbsp;Pocket Casts&nbsp;and&nbsp;Podchaser. If you like Fiction Science, please rate the podcast and subscribe to get alerts for future episodes.<\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The effects of the space environment\u2019s reduced gravity on sexual intimacy and reproduction have been debated for decades. (Credit: Catrin1309 \/ Bigstock) You might think sex in space would be an out-of-this-world experience \u2014 but based on the scientific evidence so far, low-gravity intimacy isn\u2019t likely to be as much of a high as it [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[4418,4419,367,4450,4322,2340,4456],"class_list":["post-17141","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-news","tag-books","tag-fiction-science","tag-mars","tag-museum-of-flight","tag-sex","tag-spaceflight","tag-valentines-day"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17141"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=17141"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/17141\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=17141"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=17141"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/starpath.global\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=17141"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}