from the are-they-looking-for-volunteers-for-a-trial-on-earth-first? dept.
Sex in space is a real possibility with the expected growth in space tourism over the next decade:
It could be a crucial question posed by the expected growth in space tourism over the next decade – namely what would a human conception in space mean for the sector?
That's the situation posed by an international group of scientists, clinicians and other interested parties, who have authored a consultative green paper led by David Cullen, Professor of Astrobiology & Space Biotechnology at Cranfield University.
It highlights that the emerging space tourism sector has not openly considered or discussed the risks of sex in space or prepared suitable mitigation approaches. It argues it is unrealistic to assume all future space tourists will abstain from sexual activities – opening the possibility of human conception and the early stages of human reproduction occurring in space.
This appears to pose several risks, those of a biological nature such as embryo developmental risks and those of a commercial nature such as liability, litigation, and reputational damage. The authors recommend that an open discussion is now needed within the space tourism industry to consider the risks.
[...] The findings of the study have been published today (24 April) as a green paper for community consultation.
[...] Alex Layendecker, director of the Astrosexological Research Institute and a co-author of the green paper, said: "The sociological and cultural aspects are fascinating to consider, given the approaching shift from well-trained professional and private astronauts to true 'space tourists'. That shift will encapsulate changes in motivations, social interactions, and behavioural norms, the impacts of which we need to take seriously."
(Score: 2, Interesting) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 09, @09:17AM (2 children)
The space tourism sector is still trying to manage getting tourists into space safely for more than a few minutes at a time, to destinations larger than the tin can they flew up in. The ISS doesn't count because multiple governments would be patrolling your sexual activity.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Rosco P. Coltrane on Tuesday May 09, @10:51AM (1 child)
That is plenty long enough for many men.
(Score: 3, Funny) by inertnet on Tuesday May 09, @12:30PM
So, the older you get, the higher the escape velocity you need?
(Score: 4, Funny) by JoeMerchant on Tuesday May 09, @11:03AM (1 child)
With space radiation exposure at conception, obviously the child will have superpowers.
Україна досі не є частиною Росії Слава Україні🌻 https://news.stanford.edu/2023/02/17/will-russia-ukraine-war-end
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Tuesday May 09, @12:19PM
The child will get the powers of The Toxic Avenger.
(Score: 4, Interesting) by looorg on Tuesday May 09, @12:45PM (2 children)
Astrosexological Research Institute is a real thing? How are they conducting their research? Inquiring minds want to know.
But considering there really are not any space tourists as of yet, or enough of them to have any space orgies (is this the planned goodbye party aboard the ISS?) it's still a non issue so there should be ample time to do more research. No need to rush things, just like normal sex down on earth. So far a bunch of rich gits are going into "space", perhaps they can bring their space mistresses with them and then at least they are not cheating on this planet. But sure as soon as there are some actual space tourists they'll bang in the lavatory aboard the shuttle to be in the mile-mile-mile-mile-high-club or the astro-club or whatever. Then we are stuck with their mutated piece of shit offspring.
But currently if you want to do sex research on the "Vomit Comet" you have to be fairly quick about it or into some really kinky shit.
(Score: 2) by GlennC on Tuesday May 09, @02:33PM
The same way many of us do. Their research is theoretical.
Sorry folks...the world is bigger and more varied than you want it to be. Deal with it.
(Score: 2) by corey on Tuesday May 09, @10:46PM
> Astrosexological Research Institute
Yeah I was wondering about this too. It sounds like a tax scam, probably it’s registered as a non profit.
Sounds like the dream of a teenager. “I wanna be an astronaut, but geez check out the rack on her! Wait, I know! I’ll start a sex in space ‘research’ org and maybe one day I can have both.”
(Score: 1, Troll) by SunTzuWarmaster on Tuesday May 09, @01:57PM
It seems like more research is needed in this area. I, for one, volunteer. Straight experimental group only, please.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Tuesday May 09, @02:23PM
What about Sex In Space Pr0n! On them intarweb tubes!
Will it have good lighting, audio and high production quality?
How often should I have my memory checked? I used to know but...
(Score: 2) by Immerman on Tuesday May 09, @03:38PM (4 children)
Taken seriously by who?
Seems to me there just need to be a few simple rules:
1) Before you even get the chance to go to space, you must sign the waiver that (among other things) acknowledges you understand the risks of pregnancy in space and will not hold the hosting companies liable for any such difficulties that may arise.
2) Don't be pregnant in space. Seriously, there's all sorts of known difficulties for other mammals we've tested. Nothing good will come of it.
3) Unless you plan to start a family there and never return to Earth - it's a lofty goal, and the only way we'll know for sure if it's possible will be if people try it. Just be aware that fetal and child mortality may well be least as bad as during the plague-ridden frontier eras of old. One way or another, claiming new lands always demands a price be paid in blood, and in space high child mortality is unlikely to be more than the most painful tip of the spear of that price.
(Score: 2) by SomeRandomGeek on Tuesday May 09, @04:21PM (3 children)
The point is not that a few simple rules are needed to prevent sex in space. It is that a substantial amount of planning and logistics are needed to enable it. There are a large number of practical problems preventing sex in space: https://nypost.com/2018/12/07/sex-in-space-would-be-a-nightmare-scientist-says/ [nypost.com]
(Score: 3, Informative) by choose another one on Tuesday May 09, @04:34PM
So apparently the logisitical and planning problems are like having sex whilst skidiving.
Which obviously nobody would be dumb enough to... oh wait: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-9431461/Couple-adrenaline-junkies-end-hospital-having-sex-SKYDIVING.html [dailymail.co.uk]
Looks like the main problem with having sex whilst skydiving is acutally running out of sky, which ain't gonna be a problem in orbit.
(Score: 2) by Thexalon on Tuesday May 09, @04:52PM (1 child)
Plus there's the potential for a cleanup problem afterwords, seeing as liquids behave differently in zero-gravity.
The only thing that stops a bad guy with a compiler is a good guy with a compiler.
(Score: 2) by looorg on Tuesday May 09, @08:53PM
Is this when Space Quest meets Leisure Suit Larry and Roger Wilco have to mop up what ever liquids are left in zero-g? It's not what he had in mind when he became a space-janitor.