Can You Sneeze In Space?

The Apollo command module, used in the 1960s and 1970s to take U.S. astronauts to the moon, was a complex combination of bolts, wires, and circuits. It's hard to fathom that three individuals donning bulky spacesuits spent nearly 11 days confined inside the capsule as it hurtled through space.

However, in 1968, during Apollo 7's testing of the command module in Earth's orbit, a peculiar incident occurred. Astronauts Wally Schirra, Walt Cunningham, and Donn Eisele all simultaneously fell ill with head colds. Their symptoms were so severe that they refused to wear their helmets during re-entry, fearing painful ear popping. Throughout the majority of the mission, the trio were sneezing, coughing, and exhibiting all the other unpleasant effects of a cold.

Why is it common to get sick in space?

Despite the advanced technology used in spacecraft, astronauts are not immune to getting sick and sneezing. When this happens, it can cause problems, particularly if an astronaut is outside the spacecraft. Dave Wolf, a veteran spacewalker, recommends tilting the head down when a sneeze comes to avoid damaging the visor of the spacesuit. However, if an astronaut were to have a dormant infection or disease, it could spread quickly throughout the crew, making it especially problematic for long spaceflights to Mars or other destinations.

To minimize the number of irritants and bacteria in space, NASA uses high-tech filters to purify the air inside spacecraft, and astronauts have disinfecting wipes, masks, and respirators. However, larger air filters require too much electricity to be used in space. The best approach would be to vaccinate astronauts against the flu and other diseases and screen for other infections. Infectious disease expert Mermel suggests redesigning toilets with foot pedals and using antimicrobial wallpaper in living and working spaces. These precautions may not be enough, so tissues and cold medicine should be available on future space missions.