Sex in Space Set to Study as the Expected Growth of Space Tourism
- Outside Magazine
VIVA – Recently, a study conducted by a UK university uncovered facts about sex and pregnancy in space – especially since space tourism is expected to grow in the next ten years and humans plan to live on several planets in the future.
A new report conducted by Cranfield University, Bedford, has questioned whether sex in space is 'taken seriously' by the space tourism sector, led by the likes of Elon Musk's SpaceX and Jeff Bezos' Blue Origin.
While some may laugh at the suggestion, the new report, published on April 24, explains that sexual intercourse outside the ozone layer is a 'significant question' as space tourism is expected to grow rapidly over the next decade.
A group of scientists and clinicians, led by the University's Space Astrobiologist and Biotechnologist, David Cullen, have examined what would happen if pregnancy happened in space.
"This increases the likelihood of uncontrolled human conception in space, which poses a significant risk to the emerging space tourism sector," the researchers wrote in the paper.
Ilustrasi hubungan seks astronot di luar angkasa.
- dw
Although astronauts are trained to resist the urge, the same may not apply to space tourists. Cullen and his colleagues began the research after finding that the sector did not consider the risks posed by sex in space, especially since pregnancy in space is essential if we are to become a multi-planetary species.
They point out that the long-term consequences on babies conceived in space are unknown, with potential disadvantages such as the development of abnormalities as well as social and commercial issues such as litigation, reputational damage, and financial losses for companies offering space travel.
Getting pregnant in space can cause the embryo to be damaged by radiation which then leads to litigation against the space organization.
Therefore, it is recommended that space tourists sign an official document agreeing not to engage in lewd activities during the flight.
They concluded that the lack of research on humans having sex and procreating in space has created 'an inappropriate situation that needs to be urgently addressed'.
Going forward, experts say the motivations behind sexual activity during spaceflight should be considered as well as further contraceptive screening.
For years, NASA and the Russian Space Agency (Roscosmos) have insisted that no humans have ever had sex in space.
