15 Items Astronauts Are Banned From Taking to Space
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Did you know that according to the Bureau of Economic Analysis, in 2022, the space economy accounted for $232.1 billion of gross output and supported 347,000 private-sector jobs? Finding one’s way through the vacuum of space takes courage, knowledge, and hard work. Space exploration is more fanciful than we would like to know, but the strict procedures and rules behind missions are less mentioned. One is a fun list of things astronauts aren’t allowed to bring aboard.
Space, the wonder of modern science, is not so much about a private adventure as it is about accuracy and safety. Supplies should be selected precisely for the mission’s success and the crew’s lives. NASA says a minor mistake can degrade equipment or endanger astronauts in the delicate microgravity environment.
Safety is of the essence – evidence of this can be found in previous experiences when trivial things have caused problems. For instance, breadcrumbs interfered with critical equipment, so crumbly foods were prohibited. These cases show why astronauts should abide by these packing restrictions based on decades of experience and science. These 15 objects, including captivating tales, are presented to give you an in-depth look at this exciting aspect of space travel.
Bread and Crackers
Bread and crackers might not seem like a threat in space, but they are very risky. Crumbs fly off and can damage equipment or get into astronauts’ eyes and lungs (NASA banned them for that reason). Astronauts instead eat tortillas, which aren’t crumby.
Carbonated Beverages
Coke and soda, for instance, can’t be taken to space because the bubbles behave strangely in microgravity.
When there is no gravity to separate the gas from the liquid, the bubbles do not escape the drink and remain within the liquid, which makes astronauts sick with gas.
Salt and Pepper
Old-school seasonings such as salt and pepper are outlawed because their grains float in microgravity, clogging air filters and irritating astronauts’ eyes and lungs.
So NASA created liquid salt and pepper alternatives so astronauts could add spice to their meals without damaging equipment or causing personal injury. NASA astronaut Scott Kelly revealed via Business Insider.
Ice Cream
Ice cream as a regular thing is not allowed on the International Space Station (ISS) since there are no freezers.
There’s also freeze-dried ice cream for astronauts, which delivers the taste without the mess, as it has been on all flights since the Apollo days.
Alcohol
You cannot drink alcohol in space. Some countries traditionally do not prohibit alcohol consumption, but NASA is a no-tolerance society.
Drinking can cloud judgment and damage critical systems on the ISS, so the stakes are far greater. This policy is all about safety and mission success.
Perfumes and Strong Scents
Perfumes and aftershaves–anything that is potent–aren’t permitted in space because of the tight quarters.
These smells don’t go away and can sometimes be unbearable to crewmembers. Astronauts instead use odorless toiletries to keep things cool aboard the spacecraft.
Pressurized Cans
Pressurized tubes like shaving cream or deodorant are dangerous in space. They could rupture, and the contents would pour out uncontrollably, ruining machinery. Therefore, astronauts employ other safe and functional goods in space’s unique environment.
Writing Utensils
Even standard pens and pencils are not allowed, as their tips break and float away in an irresistible pile of garbage.
Instead, astronauts take their Fisher Space Pen into microgravity. The ink cartridge is pressed, so you can write at any angle or even upside down, which is safe and reliable.
Strong Magnets
Strong magnets are prohibited since they can compromise electronics and navigation systems in spacecraft.
Such magnets could break delicate instruments, causing failures and navigational errors. That’s why NASA puts a lot of pressure on tools and equipment to be non-magnetized.
Glass Items
They are forbidden from touching glass because it breaks into tiny pieces floating in microgravity. This policy minimizes risks and keeps astronauts safe in extended missions.
Open Flame Devices
Anything that sparks is prohibited in the oxygen-laden spacecraft. Flames are unpredictable in microgravity and can cause fire more easily. Instead, astronauts eat food using specialized heaters and hot plates.
Firearms
Carrying weapons in space is forbidden for fear of accidental discharge and wreckage to the spacecraft.
While sci-fi has gunslinger astronauts, in the real world, we need to talk. Crew members are taught how to defend themselves, but mission control secures them.
Video Games
Computer games are prohibited in space because batteries can fail in microgravity, which can be dangerous to the device and the spacecraft. Instead, astronauts do physical and mental gymnastics to keep busy when they aren’t working.
Excessive Personal Items
Space travelers have extremely limited weight and size limits and can only bring a few personal necessities.
All of them are tested rigorously to ensure they don’t mess up the mission. This policy helps with crew mobility and emergency operations by keeping clutter in the spacecraft as minimal as possible.
Radioactive Materials
Radioactive substances are not allowed because they are dangerous. They are deadly in the closed, extreme-pressure space of the ISS.
A few scientific experiments might require nuclear-powered equipment, but the protocols and safety measures are firmly in place to cope with such hazards.
Such rationally drafted bans safeguard astronauts’ safety and welfare and ensure successful missions. As long as space agencies can accept and abide by these regulations, they will still push the limits of exploration, opening the possibility of discoveries. There are links to other books and resources if you’re interested in space travel or what life on the ISS is like. There’s no end to learning and exploring in this fascinating profession.
Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.
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