3 surprising things that ISS astronauts are completely forbidden to do

Computer generated graphic showing the International Space Station in orbit

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International Space Station (ISS) it is one of the most massive and complex machines ever built by mankind. Five space agencies joined forces to place it in orbit and maintain it. These were NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The first ISS module was launched in 1998, and it took several years to become fully operational.

Since entering stable orbit, the ISS has been continuously crewed, with over 270 astronauts from various space organizations arriving and departing over the years. Everything that happens on or off the ISS is closely monitored by people on the planet, and that’s no exaggeration. NASA and other organizations monitor every astronaut’s information, and while they provide as much privacy as possible, there is very little to offer when you are flying through space at 30,000 km/h and the eyes of the world are on you.

Astronauts serving aboard the ISS are subject to strict regulations on what they can eat, drink and do. Their tasks are assigned and monitored, and they must perform specific exercises to maintain muscle mass in a microgravity environment. Those aboard the ISS not only have everything sorted out; they are also not allowed to eat, drink or perform certain activities, some of which may surprise you.

Eating and drinking is strictly regulated

Astronauts eat on board the International Space Station

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Astronauts have been eating specially prepared meals since the beginning of space exploration, and fortunately, food has improved. Astronauts aboard the ISS can even grow their own edible plantsalthough it’s more of an experiment than a sustainable food source. For most meals, astronauts have a choice of foods that require hydration and heating before consumption. While they have more options than Apollo astronauts, there are limitations.

Because astronauts aboard the ISS operate in a microgravity environment, There are certain products that are absolutely forbidden to consume. These include bread and chips, which may surprise you. Bread and chips produce a lot of crumbs on the best of days, and crumbs can get into machinery or electronic devices and cause all sorts of problems, which is why they are prohibited.

This is not all that an ISS astronaut cannot consume, as he is not allowed to use salt, pepper or other spices for the same reason. Even astronaut ice cream is not allowed because of the crumbs. Carbonated drinks are also prohibited because carbonation affects digestion differently in space, and you don’t want to know how to do that. Finally, eating fish is against the rules, and if you’ve ever microwaved fishmeal at work and dealt with a co-worker’s complaints, you know why – that smell will linger inside the ISS for days.

Alcohol is not allowed on board

An astronaut lounging on the Moon greets the Earth while holding a bottle with a straw inside

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Everyone who visits the ISS is an adult who works hard, so why not let them have a beer at the end of a long day? There are several reasons why no one is allowed to consume alcohol on board the ISS. Beer is already banned because it is carbonated, but you won’t find a drop of wine or spirits on board the ISS.

Daniel G. Huot, spokesman for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, he told the BBC why: “Alcohol is not allowed on board the International Space Station. The consumption of alcohol and other volatile compounds is controlled on the ISS due to the impact their compounds may have on the station’s water recovery system.” If you didn’t know, all water, including urine, is recycled on board, wasting very little.

It’s impossible to transport water to the ISS, so astronauts simply recycle it. If their urine is contaminated with alcohol or other similar substances, recycling machines may break down or stop working properly. Astronauts can’t even use mouthwash, perfume or aftershave because they all contain alcohol. Besides, you can’t drink while driving a car or flying an airplane, so why would astronauts responsible for operating a $150,000,000,000 space station allow it?

The ISS is a no-sex zone

Two astronauts embracing in microgravity

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Believe it or not, one of the biggest prohibitions on board the ISS is sex. This is a long-standing rule that every astronaut must follow, even if this happens lives on the ISS a bit difficult. However, the reasons actually make a lot of sense. First of all, sex in microgravity is extremely difficult – it’s hard to interact closely with someone if every movement causes them to move further apart.

There are also concerns about the complete lack of privacy for those involved and those who must listen to them. Moreover, bodily fluids pose a threat to machines and without going into too much detail, various space agencies are not willing to take any chances. There is also the risk of injury, which is a concern, and pregnancy can be worrying because being an astronaut is not the safest job in the world. That said, getting pregnant in microgravity may not be possible outside of IVF.

NASA talked about sex in space and insisted it hadn’t been done…yet. That said, it is theoretically possible if certain measures are taken to ensure no personal injury occurs, nothing is left in the air, and some level of privacy can be ensured. Still, until NASA changes its blanket “no sex” policy, there’s little chance astronauts will join the 220-mile club any time soon.