Beyond the Vomit Comet

November 12, 2023 11:27 AM

"Blood flow in the jugular veins of six of the eleven ISS crew members they monitored had either stagnated or reversed direction" and "major surgery could result in the patient’s insides floating out," but, at least, “ there are good indications that erection and lubrication are not inhibited in space.”

The Bodily Indignities of the Space Life (NYT guest link; archive), by Kim Tingley.
posted by Rumple (10 comments total)

Not at all imagining Lone Skum and his like enduring all these effects.

Nope. I wouldn't. It'd be cruel.
posted by humbug at 12:14 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

Rotating space habitats are such a staple of hard sci-fi, I tend to forget that exactly zero have actually been built.
posted by mbrubeck at 1:05 PM on November 12, 2023 [4 favorites]

Neat article, thanks for posting it!

One of the many reasons I enjoy the Expanse series is that it doesn't shy away from these biological issues. In fact, humans adapting in painful and life-limiting ways to throwing themselves through space strapped to a nuclear missile is a key plot element. Highly recommend for anyone who wants some science fiction that sees these problems and goes "so what's next".
posted by fight or flight at 1:45 PM on November 12, 2023 [11 favorites]

Just this week, I googled "how does blood flow in space?" so even finding this article was eerie.
posted by tofu_crouton at 1:57 PM on November 12, 2023

No mention of carbon dioxide. Let me help with that.

NASA/TP-2012-217358:Chronic Exposure to Moderately Elevated CO2 during Long-Duration Space Flight [archive.org link]

Reliable reports of acute CO2 symptoms on the ISS are occurring at levels lower than terrestrial studies predict. It is logical to postulate that either an environmental or physiological condition is sensitizing the astronauts. After review of the pertinent literature, three potential areas of operational impact were identified: renal calculi and bone reabsorption; cerebral blood flow; and mission performance. With no definitive research to provide insight into these areas, further evaluation of the following is recommended:

- Incorporating quantifiable methods of measuring crew CO2 burden through noninvasive continuous motoring of selected astronauts.
- Developing a robust study (>8 weeks) examining various low-to-moderate CO2 concentrations on human subjects, preferably in microgravity.
- Implementing design requirements for reduced CO2 levels on future space platforms.

Relationship Between Carbon Dioxide Levels and Reported Headaches on the International Space Station

And while NASA's CHAPEA mentioned in the article is pretty cool, the Chinese Lunar Palace One experiments in bioregenerative life support are really impressive. We've come a long way since Biosphere 2.

posted by MrVisible at 1:59 PM on November 12, 2023 [4 favorites]

Related NYT from last week, more prurient and more fun: Space Billionaires Should Spend More Time Thinking About Sex.

The space popularizers James and Alcestis Oberg wrote in 1986 that those who attempt the act “may thrash around helplessly like beached flounders until they meet up with a wall they can smash into.”

Assuming this is undesirable, you’ll want something that keeps people together. The engineer and futurist Thomas Heppenheimer called for an “unchastity belt.” Another concept, pitched by Samuel Coniglio, a former vice president of the Space Tourism Society, is the “snuggle tunnel.” There’s also Vanna Bonta’s 2suit, which would keep a weightless couple connected via Velcro straps.

posted by Nelson at 2:04 PM on November 12, 2023 [6 favorites]

there are good indications that erection and lubrication are not inhibited in space.

Rarely have the words “good indications” done so much work. I hope Mary Roach writes an article on this.
posted by ricochet biscuit at 8:43 PM on November 12, 2023 [1 favorite]

She already wrote a book! There's a whole chapter on sex in space.
posted by mediareport at 5:09 AM on November 13, 2023 [5 favorites]

This is also addressed at length and in an entertaining way in this new book that is not the one mediareport linked. Interesting that women seem to be the ones writing about biology and space flight.
posted by TedW at 5:41 AM on November 13, 2023 [3 favorites]

Wow, TedW, thanks; that's quite a list of blurbers, including Roach. Just added my name to the wait list at the library; it looks great.
posted by mediareport at 10:35 AM on November 13, 2023 [1 favorite]