Yes, astronauts can sneeze in space, even inside their spacesuits.
Sneezing in a Spacesuit: The Challenges
According to six-time spacewalker Dave Wolf, who was flying on the International Space Station, astronauts can't stop from sneezing inside their spacesuits. This presents a unique challenge because there's no way to blow your nose in a spacesuit. The absence of gravity and the closed environment create some distinct issues for an astronaut who needs to sneeze:
- Confined Space: The helmet and limited space restrict any outward airflow.
- No Wiping: It is impossible to wipe your nose while inside the spacesuit.
- Fluid Dynamics: Instead of falling downwards, mucus may float and adhere to the visor or other parts of the helmet.
Sneezing Without a Spacesuit
Even without a spacesuit, sneezing in space presents different problems due to the absence of gravity.
- Propulsion: A sneeze could propel an astronaut in the opposite direction of the expulsion.
- Spread of Germs: Without gravity, droplets of mucus and saliva may float and spread around more easily.
Summary
While sneezing is a natural reflex, it creates unique challenges in the environment of space. Astronauts inside spacesuits cannot easily manage the results of a sneeze, and even outside of a spacesuit, a sneeze has the potential to create unintended consequences.
