Have you ever wondered what might happen to your body if you were to pass away in outer space? It’s certainly an unusual scenario to consider, but researchers have dedicated their minds to finding answers. Today, we will explore this intriguing topic together!

As NASA plans to launch more manned space missions in the future, including missions to the moon and Mars, it becomes essential to understand how humans can survive for extended periods in space. To date, twenty individuals have tragically lost their lives during space missions, but these incidents occurred during launch failures before reaching outer space.

While NASA has not yet faced the situation of death in space (and we hope they never have to), leading space researchers have speculated on what might happen. One possibility is that without a pressurized spacesuit, a person would be exposed to the vacuum of space, which could lead to their demise.

Chris Hadfield, former commander of the International Space Station and Canadian astronaut, discusses this worst-case scenario. He explains that during a spacewalk, there is a risk of being struck by a micro-meteorite, which could puncture the spacesuit and render the astronaut unconscious within seconds. It’s a rather terrifying thought, isn’t it?

Now, let’s delve into a more graphical description. You may think it’s just a dramatic effect used in movies, but it’s not. Emmanuel Urquieta, a professor of space medicine, sheds light on the horrifying fate of an astronaut exposed to the vacuum of space. According to his analysis, the astronaut’s blood and vital fluids would effectively boil within just ten seconds. As their body swells and their lungs compress, they would lose consciousness within fifteen seconds. It’s a truly devastating outcome, as they would likely die from asphyxiation or decompression within thirty seconds.

Speaking of death in space, there’s the challenging issue of burial or lack thereof. Urquieta explains that burial or cremation would not be an option if someone were to pass away on Mars, as it could contaminate the Martian surface. In such a scenario, the crew would probably preserve the body in a specialized body bag until it could be brought back to Earth for proper arrangements. It’s a somber reminder of the complexities involved in space exploration.

If an astronaut were to meet such an unfortunate fate in space, their body would eventually enter a frozen or mummified state, floating through the vastness of space for potentially millions of years. Without oxygen to facilitate decomposition, their remains might be obliterated by a planet, star, or even heat and radiation. It’s a thought-provoking concept that reminds us of the vastness and harshness of the universe.

So as we ponder the mysteries of the cosmos, let us appreciate the explorers and researchers who push the boundaries of our understanding, even in the face of such challenging and uncommon situations.