People do it everywhere else, so why not in space? The modern fascination with sex may no longer escape NASA’s public policy as calls emerge for the agency to define proper etiquette for “getting it on” in a weightless environment. Also the “don’t ask, don’t tell policy” about the sexual conduct of astronauts in outer space may come to an end.
Breaking the ice
As if the United States doesn’t have enough worries already, a new journal article is calling for studies of sex in space as part of the preparations for journeys to Mars. The journal also wants to know why NASA doesn’t discuss the issues involving sex in space more openly and share information about which astronauts (if any) have performed out of this world “whoopee.”
A scientist from California’s Brain Research Laboratory wrote, predicting that males and females will not be able to keep their clothes on while performing space missions, especially those who are on long journeys to Mars and tours of duty on the red planet.
Historical information
According to Fox News, there is virtually no data available that pertains to sexual conduct in space involving humans or animals, so scientists are naturally curious about the ramification of men and women spending prolonged times together in close quarters.
The queries so far, appear to involve heterosexual relationships. Homosexual sex does not appear to be the focus of any proposed discussions concerning sex. This may be because at this time, pregnancy normally occurs as a result of heterosexual relationships.
Pregnancy and birth
NASA appears to be void of data that looks at the feasibility of conception in outer space as well as birth and other functions that primarily involve females. In fact, with every mission to Mars projected to last two years or more, there is a distinct possibility that NASA will have to deal with a birth on Mars and presumably the transport of a very young child back to earth.
The effects of the environment of Mars on normal human develop are right now unknown and it is unclear whether NASA has any contingencies for astronauts giving birth in space there have been numerous females in space, but whether any of them have gotten intimate with a male cohort is news that NASA keeps under wraps.
Current policy
According to the Fox News report, NASA has a code of conduct for astronauts, but that code does not deal with sexual relations between people of same or opposite gender.
Some solutions to the study, including segregating space travel based on gender or only sending married couples on distant missions seem like they run counter to the current prevailing American attitudes concerning sex.
In fact, the whole issue of sex in space may draw in a host of issues similar to those which earthlings currently deal with. Policies concerning transgender astronauts, intergalactic rape, gravity-free birth control methods, the use of enhancements and novelties, and a host of other issues will likely be required to be necessary prior to the first interplanetary mission.
