Can Astronauts Fart In Space?
Can Astronauts Fart In Space?
In Short. Astronauts can Fart in Space, in fact. They fart a lot more! However, there is some etiquette to ensure that you don't upset other crew members.
In space, there is no gravity to pull liquids and solids down to the bottom of our digestive system, while gases stay up top and get forced back up the oesophagus as a burp. As a result, “the air, food and liquids in your stomach are all floating together like chunky bubbles. If you burp, you throw up into your mouth,” wrote Hadfield on Twitter.
Moreover, because of the lack of gravity, there are more farts in space, but contrary to popular belief, you can’t use them to propel yourself around the shuttle. Hadfield has tried and confirmed it doesn't work.
The Challenges of Flatulence and Etiquette in Space.
Flatulence, breaking wind, passing gas - no matter what you call it, it's a common bodily function that humans perform multiple times a day. The science of flatulence is fascinating, as our bodies produce and release a variety of gases such as carbon dioxide, nitrogen, hydrogen, and methane. Luckily, the Earth's atmosphere is capable of absorbing these gases, since the average adult can fart anywhere between five to fifteen times per day. However, for those who work in space, farting can pose some risks.
Astronauts work in small, pressurized environments like space shuttles and space stations, where introducing flammable gases like hydrogen and methane (from flatulence) can be dangerous. Though the likelihood of worsening a small fire is higher when you fart in space, it is not always fatal.
The biggest issue with farting in space is the lack of airflow. On Earth, when we pass gas, we hope nobody is around to smell it, and eventually, the smell dissipates due to airflow. However, in the confined spaces of a space shuttle cabin, the smell of flatulence lingers. "Farts can kind of hang out. There’s not as much airflow as on Earth. You gotta introduce airflow to get rid of contaminants and carbon dioxide," explains astronaut Mike Massimino.
According to Massimino, if you feel the urge to fart in space, it's best to head to the bathroom where there is more ventilation to help disperse the odour.
