Space travel inevitably raises some eyebrows when discussing sexual activity; sending robots is one thing; as humans venture farther into space they must face this issue sooner than later.
Researchers have explored the possibility of space sex, but making it happen will require creativity and ingenuity. Newton’s laws of motion will likely make thrusting against your partner effortless and ensure you won’t fall off.
Erections
Men can still have romantic encounters in spacecraft despite its less-than-romantic surroundings and lack of privacy, though it will take more work. That’s because gravity helps regulate blood flow to their penis and testicles – without gravitational pull, blood floats towards head or chest regions instead, keeping an erection intact requires regular blood being pumped directly into those regions to maintain its strength.
Scientists conducted a test on rats to investigate how space travel might impact this process, simulating weightlessness and deep space radiation with an overhead suspension rig, before testing their penises for signs of erectile dysfunction. Long duration flights caused oxidative stress which disrupted arteries from providing enough blood flow to their target organ scrotums in order to get an erection.
As more manned missions to space are scheduled, their sexual health must be closely monitored upon return from these voyages.
Arousal
With SpaceX preparing to send tourists into space and commercial trips to Mars a possibility within 10 years, questions of sexuality in space have never been more pertinent. To address any misconceptions regarding zero-gravity environments, scientists reviewed research on sexuality and space from over five years.
National Aeronautics and Space Administration won’t admit anyone has experienced sexual relations in space, but the fact is it could be happening. Without knowing it or realizing it, astronauts and space travelers alike could be engaging in an intimate act every time they tuck themselves into their sleeping bags. With space tourism becoming an increasing trend, addressing this topic is necessary so people can safely embark on interplanetary voyages without experiencing unexpected issues. This green paper explores what is known about biological, social, psychological aspects as well as risks related to space sexology research directions.
Getting Wet
Women may experience greater issues with getting wet in space due to its zero gravity environment; fluids like sweat and tears tend to collect around points of secretion, potentially diminishing arousal levels but making masturbation less pleasant.
Newton’s law of action and reaction reveals itself here, meaning two people thrusting against each other can simply drift apart instead of pulling closer. This makes it hard for missionaries, cowgirls or any other form of sexual exploitation to fulfill their missions or take up such positions as cowgirls or missionaries.
Who exactly has had sexual encounters in space is still unknown, yet this issue is becoming increasingly relevant as private and commercial companies plan on sending more people on long-term trips into outer space. One day we may even witness our first pair of space tourists; perhaps taking cues from animal species such as dolphins who often use third dolphins to help with mating processes.
Privacy
Although no one has had sexual encounters in space yet, many scientists and researchers have speculated on it. Some researchers argue that discussing sexuality in space is essential given the anticipated rise of commercial space tourism.
Facilitating masturbation and partnered sex could provide astronauts with an effective means to relax, sleep, improve mental, physical, and emotional well-being in space, create romantic or sexual relationships and adjust to living in an enclosed habitat.
Up until now, one approach for space reproduction was sending freeze-dried sperm or oocytes on missions. They take up much less room or resources than live humans and can be stored for decades before being revived and implanted into someone.
But this approach comes with its own challenges: no one knows its effectiveness until someone actually tries it; with companies such as SpaceX and Virgin Galactic sending civilians up to kiss the Karman line, that day may come sooner than we think.
