Have you ever wondered what happens to the astronaut’s dead body when they die in space? Since human space exploration began just 60 years ago, there have been unfortunate incidents resulting in the loss of 20 lives. This includes the NASA space shuttle tragedies in 1986 and 2003, the Soyuz 11 mission in 1971 which claimed the lives of three astronauts, and the fire on the launch pad during the Apollo 1 mission in 1967, which resulted in the loss of three astronauts.
NASA has plans to send a mission to the Moon in 2025 and aims to send astronauts to Mars in the next decade. Commercial space travel is becoming more routine. As space travel becomes more common, there is an increasing possibility of encountering challenges, including the potential for fatalities along the way.
what happens to an astronaut’s dead body when they die in space?
If someone dies in Low Earth Orbit
If someone were to pass away on a low-Earth orbit mission, such as the Space Station like International Space Station, the crew member could bring the body back to Earth within a few hours using a capsule.
If someone die on Moon
If someone were to pass away on the Moon then a crew member can bring the body back home within a few days. NASA already has detailed protocols in place for such arrangements.
Due to the rapid return, preserving the body may not be NASA’s primary concern; instead, the top priority would be ensuring the safe return of the remaining crew to Earth.
If someone die on Mars
If a space traveler were to die during a journey to the planet Mars, the dynamics would change. In such a scenario, the recovery team might not be able to turn back immediately. Instead, after the mission, which could be several years later, there’s a possibility of bringing the body back to Earth along with the recovery team.
During this time, the crew will likely preserve the body in a specialized body bag. Maintaining a stable temperature and humidity within the spacecraft will help protect the body effectively.
However, these scenarios would only apply when someone passes away in a pressurized environment, such as a space station, spacecraft, or space habitat for human beings.
What happens if a person steps into space without the protection of a spacesuit?
The space traveler would likely succumb almost instantly. The lack of pressure and exposure to the vacuum of space would make breathing impossible for the astronaut, causing bodily fluids like blood to boil.
what about burial on the Moon or Mars?
If someone dies on Mars or the moon after landing on the surface of Mars, the moon, or on any other planet. Cremation is not practical; it requires too much energy that the living crew needs for other purposes. Burial is also not a good idea as it could contaminate the Martian surface with bacteria and other organisms. Instead, the recovery team would likely secure the body in a specialized body bag until it can be safely brought back to Earth.
Now having a clear understanding of what occurs to an astronaut’s dead body when they die in space. This article is inspired by a space medical officer article The Conversation.
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