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3 Surprising Things ISS Astronauts Are Absolutely Banned From Doing

Pabio November 3, 2024

Computer-generated illustration of the International Space Station in orbit

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The International Space Station (ISS) is one of the most massive and complex machines humanity has ever built. Five space agencies came together to put it into orbit and maintain it. These were NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The first module of the ISS was launched in 1998 and it took several years before it was fully operational.

Since entering stable orbit, the ISS has been manned without fail, with more than 270 astronauts from different space organizations arriving and departing over the years. Everything that happens on or off the ISS is closely monitored by people on the planet, and that’s not hyperbole. NASA and other organizations monitor each astronaut’s information, and while they provide as much privacy as possible, there’s not much to be had when you’re moving through space at 17,500 mph with the eyes of the world on you.

Astronauts serving aboard the ISS are strictly regulated about what they can eat, drink and do. Their tasks are assigned and monitored, and they must participate in specific exercise programs to ensure they maintain their muscle mass in the microgravity environment. The people aboard the ISS don’t just regulate everything; they are also prohibited from eating, drinking and engaging in certain activities, some of which might surprise you.

Eating and drinking are heavily regulated

Astronauts eat aboard the International Space Station

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Astronauts have been eating specially prepared meals since space exploration began, and thankfully the food has improved. Astronauts aboard the ISS can even grow their own edible cropsalthough it is more of an experience than a sustainable food source. For most of their meals, astronauts have a choice of options that must be rehydrated and reheated for consumption. Although they have more options than the Apollo astronauts, there are restrictions.

Because the astronauts on board the ISS operate in a microgravity environment, there are certain foods that they are absolutely forbidden to eat. These include bread and fries, which might surprise you. Bread and chips produce a lot of crumbs on the best of days, and crumbs can get into machines or electronics and cause all kinds of problems, so they’re a no-go.

That’s not all an ISS astronaut can’t consume, as they aren’t allowed to use salt, pepper, or other seasonings, for the same reason. Even astronaut ice cream is not allowed because of the crumbs. Carbonated drinks are also a no-go because carbonation affects digestion differently in space, and you don’t want to know how. Finally, eating fish is prohibited, and if you’ve ever microwaved fish meal at work and dealt with complaints from your colleagues, you know why: that smell will linger inside the ISS for days.

Alcohol is not allowed on board

Astronaut lying on the Moon greets Earth by holding up a bottle with a straw inside

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Everyone who visits the ISS is a hard-working adult, so why not let them enjoy a beer at the end of a long day? There are several reasons why alcohol is not permitted to anyone serving aboard the ISS.. Beer is already banned because it’s carbonated, but you won’t find a drop of wine or spirits on board the ISS either.

Daniel G. Huot, spokesperson for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, explained why to the BBC: “Alcohol consumption is not permitted on board the International Space Station. The use of alcohol and other volatile compounds is controlled on the ISS due to the impacts their compounds can have on the system water recovery station.” If you didn’t know, all water, including urine, is recycled on board, creating very little waste.

It’s not possible to ship water to the ISS, so astronauts simply recycle it. If their urine is contaminated with alcohol or other similar substances, the recycling machinery may break down or not function properly. Astronauts can’t even use mouthwash, perfume or aftershave because they all contain alcohol. On top of that, you can’t drink while driving or flying a plane, so why would astronauts tasked with operating a $150,000,000,000 space station be allowed to?

The ISS is a sex-free zone

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Believe it or not, one of the biggest no-no’s on the ISS is sex. This is a long-established rule that every astronaut must follow, even if live on the ISS somewhat difficult. However, the reasons are actually very logical. On the one hand, sex in microgravity is incredibly difficult – it’s difficult to interact intimately with someone if every movement results in them floating relative to each other.

There is also concern about the complete lack of privacy for those involved and for those who have to listen to those who are involved. Additionally, bodily fluids pose a risk to machines, and without going into too much detail, it’s not something the various space agencies are willing to take on. There is also the risk of injury, which is a problem, and pregnancy can be a concern because being an astronaut is not the safest profession in the world. That said, getting pregnant in microgravity may not be possible outside of IVF.

NASA has been talking about sex in space and insists it hasn’t been done yet. That said, it is theoretically possible if certain steps are taken to ensure that there is no bodily harm, nothing floats away, and some measure of confidentiality can be achieved. Still, until NASA changes its blanket “no sex” policy, there’s little chance of astronauts engaging in some sort of hanky panky and joining the 220-mile altitude club any time soon. .