Sneezing in space: how astronauts deal with sneezing

Caspian Hawthorne 16 Comments May 21, 2023

The Science Behind Sneezing

Before diving into how astronauts deal with sneezing in space, let's first understand the science behind sneezing. Sneezing is a natural reflex action that helps our body get rid of irritants, allergens, or particles from our nasal passages. When we sneeze, our body forces a large amount of air and particles out of our nose and mouth, which in turn clears the irritants from our nasal passages.
Sneezing on Earth is pretty straightforward, but what happens when you sneeze in space? Due to the lack of gravity, the expelled particles from a sneeze can float around in the air, causing potential hazards for astronauts and the equipment on board the spacecraft.

How Do Astronauts Sneeze in Space?

Astronauts still experience the same sneezing reflex as we do on Earth. However, the way they sneeze in space is slightly different due to the microgravity environment. When an astronaut sneezes, their head is pushed back a bit due to the force of the sneeze. This is known as the conservation of momentum, which results in the astronaut's body moving in the opposite direction of the expelled particles.
To minimize the impact of this movement, astronauts are trained to sneeze into a tissue or their elbow, similar to how we are taught to sneeze on Earth. This helps to contain the particles and reduce the chances of them floating around the spacecraft.

The Importance of Hygiene in Space

Hygiene is a critical aspect of life in space, as astronauts live and work in a confined environment for extended periods. When it comes to sneezing, proper hygiene is essential to prevent the spread of germs and maintain a clean living space. Astronauts are trained to follow strict hygiene protocols, which include regularly washing their hands, using hand sanitizer, and keeping their living quarters clean and tidy.
In addition, astronauts are provided with a personal hygiene kit that contains items like tissues, wet wipes, and sanitizer to help them maintain their cleanliness and stay healthy while in space.

Dealing with Allergies and Illness in Space

Astronauts undergo rigorous medical screenings before being selected for space missions. However, it is still possible for them to experience allergies or catch a cold while in space. When this happens, astronauts must rely on the medications and medical supplies available on board the spacecraft.
The International Space Station (ISS) is equipped with a medical kit containing various medications, including antihistamines, decongestants, and pain relievers. Astronauts are trained to self-administer these medications as needed, under the guidance of medical professionals on Earth.

Preventing Sneezing-Related Accidents in Space

As mentioned earlier, sneezing in space can be a potential hazard due to the expelled particles floating around in the microgravity environment. To prevent sneezing-related accidents, astronauts are trained to follow specific protocols when they feel a sneeze coming on. This includes sneezing into a tissue, their elbow, or a designated sneeze containment device to capture and contain the expelled particles.
Additionally, astronauts are encouraged to practice good hygiene and take preventive measures, such as using a saline nasal spray to keep their nasal passages moist and clear, reducing the chances of sneezing in the first place.

Monitoring Air Quality on the ISS

Ensuring good air quality on the ISS is essential for the health and safety of the astronauts on board. The space station is equipped with an Environmental Control and Life Support System (ECLSS) that constantly monitors and maintains the air quality. This system filters the air to remove particles, bacteria, and other contaminants, including those expelled during a sneeze.
Regular maintenance and cleaning of the ECLSS filters are essential to keep the air quality in check and ensure the astronauts can breathe easy while in space.

How Does Sneezing in Space Affect the Human Body?

Sneezing in space can be an unusual experience for astronauts due to the lack of gravity. The force of the sneeze can cause the astronaut's body to move in the opposite direction, which can be disorienting, especially for first-time space travelers. However, astronauts quickly adapt to these sensations and learn to control their movements during a sneeze.
In terms of the impact on the human body, sneezing in space is not vastly different from sneezing on Earth, other than the unique physical sensations caused by the microgravity environment.

Interesting Sneezing Facts from Space

Now that we know how astronauts deal with sneezing in space, let's explore some interesting facts about sneezing in the cosmic environment:
1. Sneezing in space can propel an astronaut backward due to the conservation of momentum.
2. Astronauts have reported that their sneezes are more forceful in space due to the microgravity environment.
3. The particles expelled during a sneeze can travel at speeds of up to 100 miles per hour, even in space.
4. The ECLSS on the ISS filters out sneeze particles to maintain good air quality for the astronauts.
5. Astronauts are trained to follow strict hygiene protocols to prevent the spread of germs and reduce the chances of sneezing-related accidents in space.

16 Comments

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    Stuart Palley

    May 21, 2023 AT 10:07
    so astronauts just sneeze into their sleeves like it's 2020 and hope for the best? bruh
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    Tanuja Santhanakrishnan

    May 22, 2023 AT 02:59
    Honestly? This is one of those things that sounds silly until you realize how dangerous it really is. One floating droplet could clog a filter, contaminate a lab sample, or even trigger an allergic reaction in someone with 500% more sensitive sinuses than you. NASA doesn't mess around with hygiene - they treat every sneeze like a biohazard. And honestly? Respect.
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    Bob Martin

    May 22, 2023 AT 17:52
    they train for this? i bet they also practice not farting in zero g. you know... just in case.
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    Gary Fitsimmons

    May 23, 2023 AT 03:05
    i just think about how weird it must feel to sneeze and get pushed backward in your own suit. like, you're floating, you feel it coming, you brace... and then you go flying into a wall. no wonder they train for it.
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    Sage Druce

    May 23, 2023 AT 07:55
    people think space is all about rockets and moon landings but it's really about tissues and hand sanitizer. the real heroes are the ones who keep the air clean so the rest of us can pretend we're not living in a giant germ zoo
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    Lorena Cabal Lopez

    May 23, 2023 AT 20:26
    why do we even care? it's just sneezing. they have filters. move on.
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    Glenda Walsh

    May 24, 2023 AT 00:18
    Wait, wait, wait-so if you sneeze and your body recoils, does that mean you could accidentally bump into a control panel? What if you sneeze while doing a spacewalk? Do they have emergency brake buttons? I NEED TO KNOW EVERYTHING.
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    Tyler Mofield

    May 24, 2023 AT 10:08
    The conservation of momentum vector displacement induced by aerosol expulsion in a microgravity environment necessitates a pre-emptive biocontainment protocol, which, by design, minimizes particulate dispersion within the closed-loop atmospheric system of the ISS. Failure to comply constitutes a Level 3 contamination event per NASA STD-3001.
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    Patrick Dwyer

    May 24, 2023 AT 14:10
    It's fascinating how something so mundane on Earth becomes a systems engineering problem in space. You don't just adapt to microgravity-you redesign your entire relationship with your own body. That’s the real miracle here.
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    Bart Capoen

    May 25, 2023 AT 07:47
    i read somewhere that astronauts sometimes sneeze so hard they spin. like, full 360. imagine waking up dizzy in space because you had a cold. that’s the real space horror story.
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    Shilah Lala

    May 26, 2023 AT 04:23
    so the real reason we send people to space is to study how sneezes behave without gravity? brilliant. next up: how do you cry in zero g? do the tears just hang there like little sad globes? i need a documentary.
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    Stuart Palley

    May 26, 2023 AT 11:18
    i bet the first guy who sneezed in space thought he was gonna die. like 'oh no my nose is on fire and i'm floating away' and then the whole station goes into lockdown
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    Bob Martin

    May 27, 2023 AT 04:47
    lol imagine the mission control transcript: 'Houston, i think i sneezed... i think i'm spinning... no no no don't touch that button-'
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    luna dream

    May 27, 2023 AT 21:57
    you ever think maybe they're hiding something? like... what if sneezing in space isn't the problem? what if it's what happens AFTER? what if the particles don't just float... they multiply? what if the filters aren't cleaning them... they're containing something older? something that doesn't belong?
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    Natalie Eippert

    May 28, 2023 AT 00:43
    America trains its astronauts better than any other country. We don't let germs win in space. Other nations? They probably just hold their nose and pray.
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    Linda Patterson

    May 28, 2023 AT 16:54
    if you're not sneezing into your elbow you're not just unhygienic you're a liability to national security. this is why we can't have nice things in space. someone's always gonna be a germ vector.

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