Astronauts are not allowed to fart. How can they do this?

The environment in space is completely different from that on the surface of the earth, so astronauts working and living in the sky cannot eat, drink, defecate and urinate as they do on the surface. Some people even say that astronauts are not allowed to fart after entering space. Is this true?

To know whether this is true or not, we must first understand what “fart” is.

There are a lot of bacteria in our intestines. When food enters the intestines, it will be decomposed by these bacteria, and the decomposition process will produce gas. In addition, the food we eat cannot be guaranteed to be completely digested, which is also one of the reasons for the production of gas. In addition, some people eat fast, which will cause air to enter the stomach and intestines along with the food, and this series of gases will eventually be discharged from the anus through the intestines. So everyone will produce gas every day, and therefore will fart, the only difference is whether you notice it or not.

What will happen if you hold the gas in?

Then these gases will be absorbed by the intestines, then enter the blood, then enter the lungs through the blood, and finally be discharged from the mouth, so farts cannot be held back. Since farts cannot be held back, it is impossible to ask astronauts not to "fart", but it is indeed necessary to try to reduce the number of farts in space, because farting in space does bring some problems. What will happen if you fart on the surface of the earth? These gases will leave our bodies at a speed of 3 to 10 meters per second. Since these gases themselves have a high temperature, they will rise and diffuse rapidly. After a few dozen seconds, we can no longer smell them, but if we are in a weightless space station, the situation is different.

If some gas is emitted in a weightless space station, the gas will remain suspended in place. Of course, it will also diffuse around, but the speed is very slow. When you come back after a circle, the gas will still be waiting for you in the same place.

Isn't there an air circulation device in the space station? Yes, but the air circulation device in the space station is part of the life support system. Its design goal is to maintain the survival needs of astronauts, not to quickly change air, unless you are emitting gas near the exhaust fan. Since gas diffuses very slowly in a weightless environment, once there are too many "farts" in one place, there will be certain safety hazards, because "farts" contain methane and hydrogen sulfide, which are the main components of gas, so "farts" are flammable.

The space station is an isolated space filled with various precision instruments. The most feared thing is fire. Once "farts" accumulate too much, they will become a fire hazard.

Compared to farting in the space station, farting in a space suit is even more of a "fatal" thing.

"Space suit" sounds like a piece of clothing, but in essence it can be regarded as a small spacecraft. It is a multi-layered structure design, equipped with various life support systems including air handling system and urine mobile phone system. The most important thing is that this small spacecraft is completely airtight. What will happen if you fart in a space suit? It will be very uncomfortable, because the performance of the air handling system of the space suit is very limited. If too much gas is discharged, you will always be wrapped in the smell. Sometimes an extravehicular mission will last for several hours. The degree of torment can be imagined.

Speaking of the smell of farts, it is necessary to explain the reason why we think farts stink, not because they really stink, but because our sense of smell is too sensitive. In fact, farts are almost odorless gas.

The main components of farts are nitrogen, oxygen, carbon dioxide, hydrogen and methane, which account for 99% of farts. These gases are obviously odorless, and the only odorous gas in farts is hydrogen sulfide, which accounts for less than 1%. If humans did not have a well-developed olfactory system, they would not be able to smell this smell at all. Since farting can cause all kinds of troubles and safety hazards to astronauts working and living in space, how can we reduce the frequency of farting?

As mentioned before, it is definitely not a good idea to hold in a fart. First of all, you can't hold it in, and secondly, even if you do, it will come out of your mouth. So the best way to reduce the number of farts is to control your diet.

Astronauts will try their best to choose foods that produce less gas, while ensuring sufficient nutritional intake. For example, controlling the intake of protein and starchy foods can effectively reduce the production of gas in the body. Under normal circumstances, occasional gas discharge by astronauts will not have much impact on life in space. As long as the astronauts in the space station do not collectively have stomach problems, there is no need to pay special attention to the issue of "farting". At present, mankind is still in the initial stage of the space industry. With the continuous development of space technology in the future, astronauts' life in space will become more and more convenient. One day, we may even be able to use a gravity simulation system to allow astronauts to feel down to earth in space.

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