Summarize this content to 2000 words in 6 paragraphs
The effects of the space environment’s 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 — but based on the scientific evidence so far, low-gravity intimacy isn’t 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.
“In one’s fantasies, or on a quick imaginary level, you think, ‘Wow, think of the possibilities,’” says Mary Roach, author of “Packing for Mars,” a book about the science of living in space. “But in fact, to stay coupled is a little tough, because … you know, you bounce apart. So, I said this to one of the astronauts at NASA, and he said, ‘Nothing a little duct tape won’t take care of.’”
Fortunately, Roach won’t be delving too deeply into the downside during her Valentine’s Day talk at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. At the 21-and-over event, she plans to focus on the lighter side of living in space — including zero-gravity sex. In the latest episode of the Fiction Science podcast, Roach provides an update on “Packing for Mars,” plus a preview of tonight’s “Mars Love Affair” presentation.
Have astronauts already “done it” 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.
“Of course,’” she says she was told. “You have sex by hand.”
Mary Roach is the author of “Packing for Mars” and other books about the weird frontiers of science. (Photo by Jen Siska / jensiska.com)
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.
To make zero-G intimacy easier for humans, some enterprising souls have suggested new types of sexual aids — ranging from straps and “snuggle tunnels” to zero-gravity suits specifically designed to make the best of the experience.
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 — and more significantly, eye problems. Fluid shifts might also affect blood flow to sexual organs, although the evidence is debatable.
“There were varying opinions on that,” Roach says. Shuttle astronaut Mike Mullane said in his autobiography that he “could have drilled through kryptonite,” she noted. “And then one of the Apollo guys was like, ‘Yeah, not much happening.’”
The space sex issue isn’t just a matter of prurient interest. In their recently published book, “A City on Mars,” Kelly and Zach Weinersmith say there’s been too little research into how reduced gravity affects pregnancy and early development. The evidence so far has led some scientists to voice concerns.
Roach agrees that more research is needed. “If our ultimate goal is to one day colonize other celestial bodies — if that’s what we’re trying to do — it kind of behooves us to figure out if we can even do that,” she says.
“Packing for Mars: The Curious Science of Life in the Void,” by Mary Roach. (W.W. Norton & Co.)
Space sex isn’t the only topic covered in “Packing for Mars,” and it’s 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).
If this evening’s conversation strays into other weird topics having to do with bodily functions, Roach is prepared to go there. She’s also written books about earthbound sex (“Bonk”), the digestive system (“Gulp”), the challenges that warfighters face (“Grunt”) and even the science of human cadavers (“Stiff”). She says her next book, “Replaceable You,” will focus on “different bits and pieces of the body, and efforts to fabricate them, make them, replace them, and why that works and doesn’t work.”
How does she come up with this stuff? “It’s just me thrashing around, and emailing people, and turning over rocks and going, ‘Is this interesting enough?’” she says. “It’s me following my own curiosity and landing on things that I feel are interesting.”
So, would she ever consider landing on Mars? “Hell, no,” she says. “Mars would be amazing, but I’m too grumpy and complaining to be in a small space for that long, with such a limited sense of whether I’ll get back alive. But the moon — I would love to go to the moon.”
“Mars Love Affair: A Night With Mary Roach” begins today at 6:30 p.m. at Seattle’s Museum of Flight. Attendees must be 21 or older. For further information about the event and ticket options, check out the museum’s website.
My co-host for the Fiction Science podcast is Dominica Phetteplace, an award-winning writer who is a graduate of the Clarion West Writers Workshop and lives in San Francisco. To learn more about Phetteplace, visit her website, DominicaPhetteplace.com.
Fiction Science is included in FeedSpot’s 100 Best Sci-Fi Podcasts. Take a look at the original version of this item on Cosmic Log to get Mary Roach’s recommendations for further reading, and stay tuned for future episodes of the Fiction Science podcast via Apple, Spotify, Player.fm, Pocket Casts and Podchaser. If you like Fiction Science, please rate the podcast and subscribe to get alerts for future episodes.
