Centripetal Notion

artwork credit: Matt Furie

Synopsis: it’s hard. And the recent article that circulated about confidential NASA sex studies on the space shuttles? Definitely a hoax.

That said, sex in space is important to think about (not to mention fun) — put a bunch of humans on a tiny ship on a 6 month trip to Mars and, you can imagine. Astronauts need to do it like anyone else, especially if the mission counts on their mental and physical well-being. Some things to consider:

Sex in space would likely be “hotter and wetter” than on Earth, [Vanna Bonta, writer] said, because in zero-G there is no natural convection to carry away body heat. Also, scientists have found that people tend to perspire more in microgravity. The moisture associated with sexual congress could pool as floating droplets.

The physics of zero-G make the mechanics of sex more complicated. Bonta said it was challenging even to kiss her husband during a zero-G simulation flight they took recently. “You actually have to struggle to connect and stay connected,” she recalled. Partners would have to be anchored to the wall and/or to each other. To address that need, Bonta has come up with her own design for garments equipped with strategically placed Velcro strips and zippers.

Although zero-G could be a boon for saggy body parts, Bonta said males might notice a “slight decrease” in penis size due to the lower blood pressure that humans experience in microgravity.

Romantics will also need to guard against the type of motion sickness that space travelers often encounter, especially if they get too adventurous right off. “Save the acrobatics for post-play vs. foreplay,” Bonta advised.

(MSNBC)

What’s more, we don’t know if traditional mammalian conception is even possible in zero-G, though I imagine the first carnal explorers will find this of little relevance.

ARTICLE/VIDEO ["Outer-space sex carries complications"] (MSNBC)
ARTICLE ["Sex in Space: Imagine the Possibilities"] (Space.com)
ARTICLE ["The Uncomfortable Reality of Sex in Space"] (Regina Lynn, Wired)

This is my first post written in response to votes from Skribit. “Sex in Space” left the other suggestions behind in the polls for dead, go figure. Thanks for your ideas so far, keep them coming!