What Happens If an Astronaut Dies in Space? NASA’s Haunting Protocol Explained – The Daily Galaxy –Great Discoveries Channel
What happens if an astronaut dies in space? It’s a question NASA has prepared for with eerie precision. From storage in freezing temperatures to dealing with the body during a mission, the protocols are as unsettling as they are necessary. But could a corpse simply be left in the vacuum of space—or is that off-limits? The answers might surprise you, and they reveal a darker side of space exploration.For most of us, pondering the logistics of death doesn’t involve zero gravity, freezing temperatures, or decomposing in a vacuum. But for NASA, where space travel transforms every “what if” into a life-or-death scenario, the unthinkable must be carefully planned. And yes, that includes what happens if an astronaut dies in space.While it may seem like a plot ripped straight from a science fiction thriller, the reality is surprisingly grounded in meticulous preparation, even running “death simulations” to prepare for the grim possibility. Astronaut and former ISS commander Chris Hadfield spilled some of the unsettling details to Popular Science, pulling back the curtain on what might happen should tragedy strike among the stars.Imagine this: an astronaut dies during an EVA (extravehicular activity)—those dramatic spacewalks that have become icons of human exploration. Hadfield explains the first priority would be bringing the body back inside the airlock. But here’s the kicker: decomposing in space is a unique horror.Bodies break down faster in the warm, pressurized environment of a spacesuit, which could spell disaster for the living crew members. “We don’t want the smell of rotting meat or off-gassing,” Hadfield explains. To avoid contamination, the deceased would stay in their suit and be stored somewhere cold—likely a makeshift morgue onboard the International Space Station (ISS).On the ISS, the procedures for handling a crew member’s remains are as sterile as they are unsettling. NASA’s guidance on ‘Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight’ outlines three options for handling the body:To sidestep some of these challenges, NASA researchers proposed a chilling workaround: reducing the body into manageable fragments. The process involves sealing the corpse in a specialized bag and freezing it solid using the frigid temperatures of space. A robotic arm then vibrates the body into tiny pieces, making storage and transport less cumbersome.While this may sound like the plot of a dystopian novel, the grim reality is that space doesn’t offer much room—or tolerance—for improvisation when it comes to remains.What if an astronaut dies on the lunar surface? Without Earth’s bacteria and moisture to fuel decomposition, a body would remain eerily preserved. But leaving it there isn’t an option either. NASA’s commitment to planetary protection—avoiding contamination of celestial bodies—means the body must be retrieved and brought home, adding another layer of complexity to an already harrowing task.While NASA has protocols for almost every imaginable scenario, there’s one thing they can’t simulate: the emotional toll of death in space. For astronauts, death far from home is not just a logistical nightmare but an existential one. And for now, the best-case scenario remains the simplest one: save your death for solid ground.Got a reaction? Share your thoughts in the commentsEnjoyed this article? Subscribe to our free newsletter for engaging stories, exclusive content, and the latest news.Comment Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.
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