I know we asked this question about six or so years ago, but a lot of water has flowed under the ah…um…er…International Space Station since then. These are vibrant, dynamic people with, in many cases, some major egos cooped up in a very small area. So has anyone…er, um…leaked any information as to whether the deed has been done? And don’t go with “These are dedicated professionals who don’t think that way.”
That myth was pretty much dispelled by the diaper wearing astronaut who drove cross country to wack another astronaut because of a love affair with yet another (married) astronaut.
One of the purposes of the ISS (there is supposed to be a purpose) is to find if human beings can survive life in space. And, human beings have sex. I’d find it hard to believe that a mixed group of highly intelligent humans in peak physical condition haven’t explored this most basic of human needs.
This subject reminded me that I had read a pretty decent short story about sex on the Shuttle. The author had gone to some trouble to make it seem plausible. It’s a link to Google Groups, and as it’s in alt.sex.stories it will prompt the visitor to confirm your age and desire to read it, so it will conform to the two click rule:
Sorry, gaffa, but I’m going to have to disagree with you again. I suspect that NASA has probably made it perfectly clear to the entire astronaut corps that the scandal that would erupt if two people “got it on” in space would be a major threat to the agency’s funding. Congressional hearings, outraged sermons, etc., etc. Even the rash of billionaires offering twice the usual rate for a trip to the ISS for themselves and a “special friend” couldn’t make up the shortfall.
Although I agree with you that some work in this area would be scientifically valid (to say nothing of the commercial possibilities), the American population is still far too prudish on average to make it politically feasible for the subject even to be discussed. Like legalizing drugs or prostitution, reasonable, mature adults agree that there’s no logical reason it shouldn’t be considered, but it ain’t gonna happen in the U.S. in the foreseeable future.
That said, I’d wager that sometime in our 48 years in space someone has quietly tossed one off by him/herself. But two people? I don’t think so.
The point was made earlier that they have sent up actual married couples. Who could object if a happily married husband and wife enjoyed the connubial bliss to which they are legally entitled?
According to the 3rd part of Cecil’s answer:
What I know from my own experience as a penis owner is that these things require regular maintenance, and I get seriously cranky and my job performance declines if I don’t relieve pressure at very least weekly. I’d be shocked
I would think having the privacy would be a major concern, especially on the shuttle. I’m not familiar with how much room the ISS would have, though. Is there an isolated nook for nookie?
The difference is, this time I wish I could agree with you!
The prudes who make up 70% of this country. The blue-noses will say, It’s the government paying people to have sex! Horrors! We don’t want our tax dollars spent on “this kind of thing!” We can’t talk about sex in public! Think of the children!
An individual doesn’t “need” to have sex to survive. Since the purpose of the ISS isn’t to prove that the species can survive in space for generations, but has much shorter term goals, this isn’t a “basic need”. Also, in my opinion, a “basic human need” is something that all individuals; regardless of age or gender would require to survive.
A human being doesn’t die if he/she doesn’t have sex for a few weeks or even ever. Your personal comfort has nothing to do with survival. If you can’t function mentally under adverse conditions, such as no sex for a few weeks, I doubt you’d be picked to be an astronaut in the first place. If you’re on a dangerous mission, “in the zone” where your focus is supposed to be on what you’re doing, and instead all you can think of is that you want sex, you’re not suited for or interested in that mission. I’m not a prude, I’m just being practical.
Also, being in “peak physical condition” has nothing to do with desiring sex. It sounds like you’re playing out some kind of fantasy in your head, especially after that second, gratuitous post.
Me being in peak physical condition has nothing to do with me wanting sex, but the people around me being in peak physical condition certainly could have an effect.
That sounds like the most convincing argument to me. Although I’m not the type to kiss and tell, I know that if I got laid in zero-G, I’d be bragging about it to Mission Control 5 minutes later.
Hopefully there won’t be need for the phrase, “Houston, we have a problem.”
ISS is getting bigger, but it’s still pretty small for a group of people. On the other hand:
It seems the ISS crew enjoyed the relative seclusion and spaciousness of the ATV, using it to sleep and take care of hygiene in relative privacy. But ESA has proudly bragged about all the innovative uses found for ATV without even once mentioning the astronauts’ sexual tension.
Part of the mission of the ISS is to determine if humans can survive a mission to Mars. All plans I’ve read would take more than a year.
See the Straight Dope column answer cited. A NASA flight surgeon asked that the men on on SkyLab masturbate to maintain their prostate health. As female astronauts don’t have a prostate, prostate health doesn’t concern them.
Did I say “die”?
Am I correct in assuming that you don’t have a penis? If this is so, I’ll let you in on a secret - men masturbate under every circumstance. In prisons. In submarines. Even in monasteries where they struggle and feel tremendous guilt about it. And, I am quite confident, in the International Space Station.
A mission to Mars will take one to two years. Years spent in close confinement while coping with boredom of a type not seen outside of a prison. There is only so much busywork that the mission planners could come up with to keep any sane person from going insane. Sex, like it or not, is cheap entertainment and reasonably good exercise.
Insisting that human beings avoid a basic human pleasure is hardly practical, and most definitely prudish.
My second post included a story that explored the possibilities and problems with sex in zero G on the Shuttle. It was relevant to the conversation and had an interesting take on what would be required.
