Scientists call for further research into sex in space
Brady Knox
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Scientists are calling for further research into sexual intercourse in space, as the possibility grows due to space tourism.
To the public’s knowledge, no one has yet had sex in space; the National Aeronautics and Space Administration maintains that the milestone has yet to be reached. This is largely due to the lack of privacy and constant monitoring of astronauts. However, with the privatization of space travel, specifically space tourism, some estimate that humans will break this barrier within a decade.
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Likewise, some scientists are calling for increased research into its effects, with warnings that failing to do so could have negative effects.
In a paper originally published in April, the team argued that sexual activity as a result of the increased accessibility of space is inevitable, so scientists should be ready for it.
“The next ten years (2023 to 2033) are expected to see growth in orbital space tourism, with flights lasting from days to weeks,” the paper read. “The motivations for spaceflight and the expected inflight behaviors of participants are likely to differ from those of professional astronauts. It is unrealistic to assume that all space tourism participants will abstain from sexual activities while exposed to microgravity and increased levels of ionizing radiation during spaceflight. This raises the possibility of uncontrolled human conception in space, which poses a significant risk to the emerging space tourism sector.”
One of the biggest concerns of sex in space is the natural conclusion of the activity: the formation and birth of a child. The paper warns that the effects of space could have a long-term impact on the child conceived through the union, so it should be studied as soon as possible.
“This lack of knowledge underpins the risks within the evolving orbital space tourism sector,” it continued. “The possible detrimental outcomes include those of a biological nature – e.g. developmental abnormalities in human offspring, and those of a societal and commercial nature – e.g. litigation, reputational damage, and financial loss. Currently (2023), the sector does not appear to be discussing this risk and context in an open forum or communicating any risk mitigation.”
The paper proposes the possibility of regulations for sex in space.
Professor Anja Geitmann, dean of the department of plant science at McGill University in Montreal, speaking with the Daily Mail, outlined other expected difficulties involved in sexual activities in space.
She said that it would be difficult “for the partners to try to remain in physical proximity, since one can’t rely on gravity to push one partner against the other.”
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“Another issue would be trying to avoid hitting one’s head, since again, there is no gravity to prevent the partners to drift away from each other and against the nearest obstacle with each movement,” she added.
The possibility of sex in space has grown in recent months following the first successful commercial space flight in June.