# Propulsion in Zero-G by Flatulence -- The Definitive Answer **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [May 21, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289 "2019-05-21T11:31:47Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 11:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/1 "2019-05-21T11:31:47Z")
> **[Space Station Commander Answers The Ultimate Question About Astronaut Farts](https://www.huffpost.com/entry/astronaut-farts_n_5ce37010e4b0e69c18f08d75)** > > Former ISS commander Terry Virts spills the beans. > [@](#): > > If you’ve ever wondered if farts were strong enough to propel you in space, the good news is you’re not alone. > > The better news is that question has now been answered by someone who would know: retired U.S. astronaut Terry Virts, who has served as commander of the International Space Station and pilot of the space shuttle Endeavour during his two trips to space. > > The bad news? > > Well… they aren’t. Sorry. > > … > > The issue has come up for air before. In a 2017 interview with Gizmodo, shuttle astronaut Mike Massimino was asked about the possibility of being propelled by space farts and sneezes. > > ″\*f you’re really still and gave a good sneeze, that would give you a little kick, yes,” he said, but being propelled by farts is “easier said than done.” ---
**Author:** ![ftg](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ftg/32/2801_2.png) [@ftg](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ftg)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 12:05pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/2 "2019-05-21T12:05:30Z")
The big problem with a sneeze is getting the angle lined up with your center of gravity. The regular way of sneezing would impart more angular than linear motion. You have to tilt your head way back, etc. And for an involuntary reflex like sneezing that’s not easy to do. (Keep in mind that prior to the sneeze you need to inhale in the opposite direction.) Note that it’s far harder to adjust the angle at the other end. OTOH, it’s sort of already lined up and the CoG can be adjusted by bending. ---
**Author:** ![Darren\_Garrison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darren_garrison/32/92_2.png) [@Darren\_Garrison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darren_Garrison)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 12:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/3 "2019-05-21T12:15:01Z")
And the problem with farts is doing them while wearing pants, which contain the momentum within the astronaut/pants system. Accleration would _have_ to happen with a pantless farting astronaut, though too little to notice. And now I’m going to contemplate all my life choices that led to my writing the above paragraph. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 12:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/4 "2019-05-21T12:45:31Z")
> [@ftg](#): > > The big problem with a sneeze is getting the angle lined up with your center of gravity. The regular way of sneezing would impart more angular than linear motion. You have to tilt your head way back, etc. And for an involuntary reflex like sneezing that’s not easy to do. > > (Keep in mind that prior to the sneeze you need to inhale in the opposite direction.) > > Note that it’s far harder to adjust the angle at the other end. OTOH, it’s sort of already lined up and the CoG can be adjusted by bending. Pretty clearly what is called for is some sort of tubular extension that can redirect the force of the nasal or anal blast without attenuating it too much. Gives a whole new meaning to “set her down on her nose jets.” Or Tail Jets. ---
**Author:** ![blindboyard](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blindboyard/32/2833_2.png) [@blindboyard](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blindboyard)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 1:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/5 "2019-05-21T13:31:16Z")
Have you never seen Thunderpants? ---
**Author:** ![Patch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a183cd/32.png) [@Patch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Patch)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 1:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/6 "2019-05-21T13:34:45Z")
I have to imagine, pantless or no, the other ISS astronauts fought vigorously to prevent any in-depth testing of the hypothesis. ---
**Author:** ![Paintcharge](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/paintcharge/32/7946_2.png) [@Paintcharge](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Paintcharge)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 1:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/7 "2019-05-21T13:59:01Z")
Well that just stinks. Somebody had to say it… ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 9:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/8 "2019-05-21T21:32:36Z")
> [@Patch](#): > > I have to imagine, pantless or no, the other ISS astronauts fought vigorously to prevent any in-depth testing of the hypothesis. Some knowledge comes at too high a cost. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/9 "2019-05-21T21:48:52Z")
If I may ask a follow up question. . . If you light farts in Zero-G, what shape does the flame take? ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [May 21, 2019, 11:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/10 "2019-05-21T23:48:18Z")
> [@Kent\_Clark](#): > > If I may ask a follow up question. . . If you light farts in Zero-G, what shape does the flame take? Ask Grissom, White, and Chaffee. ---
**Author:** ![Heracles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/heracles/32/487_2.png) [@Heracles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Heracles)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 1:56am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/11 "2019-05-22T01:56:22Z")
> [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](#): > > Ask Grissom, White, and Chaffee. Still too soon, man. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 2:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/12 "2019-05-22T02:53:59Z")
> [@Heracles](#): > > Still too soon, man. ☹ Not to mention the rocket was still on the ground. Now, if the line had been, “Ask Christa McAuliffe…” Okay, it’s time to go back to **kunilou**. ---
**Author:** ![swampspruce](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/swampspruce/32/261_2.png) [@swampspruce](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/swampspruce)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/13 "2019-05-22T14:42:09Z")
So would the fart be ejected in a teardrop shape? and then roll around as a sphere before it dispersed? ---
**Author:** ![racer72](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/racer72/32/3075_2.png) [@racer72](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/racer72)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 2:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/14 "2019-05-22T14:54:31Z")
In my case I would need a seat belt on the commode. ---
**Author:** ![CalMeacham](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/calmeacham/32/35_2.png) [@CalMeacham](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CalMeacham)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 3:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/15 "2019-05-22T15:34:03Z")
> [@racer72](#): > > In my case I would need a seat belt on the commode. The toilet on the space shuttle actually has a seat belt, but not because of flatulence-induced motion. Ordinary movements are enough to cause trouble: > **[Secrets of the Space Shuttle Toilet](https://blog.museumofflight.org/secrets-of-the-space-shuttle-toilet)** > > The toilet aboard the Space Shuttle—and the training that goes along with it—is guaranteed to destroy any romantic or glamorous ideas you’ve ever had about going to space. ---
**Author:** ![Doctor\_Jackson](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctor_jackson/32/32_2.png) [@Doctor\_Jackson](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Doctor_Jackson)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 8:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/16 "2019-05-22T20:52:33Z")
> [@](#): > > The bad news? > > Well… they aren’t. Sorry. There are 2 things wrong with the study that lead to the quoted conclusion: 1. Wrong point of view 2. Zero gravity is an unnecessary and complicating variable I have taken part in many, many studies that have all come to the same, repeatable conclusion: propulsion by fart is not only possible, it is a fact. Study set up: a semi-enclosed room Participants: me plus N other living beings Study execution: I fart Study results: In every case, all N other living things move quickly toward the exit(s) Study conclusion: farts do indeed propel living things Anyone wishing to serve as a volunteer “N” subject for future experiments should contact me. Or your psychiatrist. ---
**Author:** ![Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/slow_moving_vehicle/32/291_2.png) [@Slow\_Moving\_Vehicle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Slow_Moving_Vehicle)\ **Post date:** [May 22, 2019, 9:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/17 "2019-05-22T21:23:20Z")
> [@Darren\_Garrison](#): > > And the problem with farts is doing them while wearing pants, which contain the momentum within the astronaut/pants system. Accleration would _have_ to happen with a pantless farting astronaut, though too little to notice. > > And now I’m going to contemplate all my life choices that led to my writing the above paragraph. **Darren Garrison** , just so you know; I literally giggled aloud for about three minutes after reading this. ---
**Author:** ![Kent\_Clark](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kent_clark/32/105_2.png) [@Kent\_Clark](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kent_Clark)\ **Post date:** [May 23, 2019, 12:53am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/propulsion-in-zero-g-by-flatulence-the-definitive-answer/834289/18 "2019-05-23T00:53:32Z")
Couldn’t we just conduct all these experiments on the Vomit Comet? We don’t really need to stink up the ISS doe we?