Earthlings have long been fascinated with space exploration, prompting researchers and scientists to conduct advanced experiments and send spacecraft into space. But one lesser-known aspect of space travel is the unique yet often unpleasant smells reported by astronauts despite its airless vacuum environment; space emits various types of odors that many astronauts describe as surprising unpleasantness.
Astronauts’ Descriptions of Space Smells
Astronauts Describe Space Smells Astronauts who have participated in space missions have reported strong odors lingering on their spacesuits after returning home, created by molecules present in space with strong scents that come together as one scent. Apollo moon landing astronauts frequently reported gunpowder-like aromas; those on the International Space Station (ISS) have noted similarities with burnt steak odors.
The Source of the Smells
Source of Odors These metallic and burnt meat-like smells can be traced back to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), compounds found both on Earth and space. PAHs are formed when food has been exposed to radiation; when astronauts return from spacewalks, single oxygen atoms cling to their suits; upon returning into airlock, these combine with molecular oxygen molecules, producing an unpleasant sour, metallic scent that then pervades all surrounding spacecraft.
Additional Smells Detected in Space
Zusatzliche Odors Detected in Space Researchers have also discovered other distinctive odors. For instance, according to BBC reportage the Rosetta spacecraft identified compounds responsible for rotten egg, bitter almond, and cat urine smells boiling off from Comet 67P/Churyumov-Gerasimenko surface in 2014. Furthermore, Rosetta detected numerous molecules within the Comet’s Coma which is an airy envelope around its solid nucleus.
Space is full of mysteries, and its unique scents are just one more intriguing aspect of our universe. From gunpowder-like smells described by Apollo astronauts to burnt steak and metallic scents reported by ISS astronauts, these smells come from various molecules and compounds present in space and understanding them not only expands our understanding but also sheds light on the wonders of space itself.