3 surprising things ISS astronauts are absolutely not allowed to do

Computer-generated artwork of the International Space Station in orbit

Sciepro/Getty Images

The International Space Station (ISS) is one of the most massive and complex machines humanity has ever built. Five space agencies came together to launch and maintain it in orbit. These were NASA, Roscosmos, the European Space Agency (ESA), the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) and the Canadian Space Agency (CSA). The first module of the ISS was launched in 1998 and it took several years before it was fully operational.

Since entering stable orbit, the ISS has been continuously manned, with more than 270 astronauts from various space agencies arriving and departing over the years. Everything that happens on board or outside the ISS is heavily monitored by people on the planet, and that is no exaggeration. NASA and the other organizations monitor every astronaut’s information, and while they offer as much privacy as possible, there’s very little to be had when you’re flying through space at 17,500 miles per hour with the world’s eyes on you focused.

Astronauts serving aboard the ISS are subject to strict rules about what they can eat, drink and do. Their tasks are assigned and monitored, and they must follow specific training routines to ensure they maintain their muscle mass in the microgravity environment. Those aboard the ISS not only arranged everything; They are also prohibited from eating, drinking, and doing certain activities, some of which may surprise you.

Eating and drinking is highly regulated

Astronauts eat aboard the International Space Station

NASA/Getty images

Astronauts have been eating specially prepared meals since the dawn of space exploration, and thankfully, food has improved. Astronauts aboard the ISS can even grow their own edible cropsalthough that is more of an experiment than a sustainable food source. For most of their meals, the astronauts have a choice of options that must be rehydrated and reheated before they can be consumed. While they have more options than the Apollo astronauts, there are limitations.

Because the astronauts operate in a microgravity environment aboard the ISS, there are certain foods they should absolutely not eat. These include bread and chips, which may surprise you. Bread and chips produce a lot of crumbs on the best of days, and crumbs can get into machines or electronics and cause all kinds of problems, so they are banned.

That’s not all an ISS astronaut cannot consume, as they are not allowed to use salt, pepper or other seasonings for the same reason. Even astronaut ice cream is not allowed because of the crumbs. Carbonated drinks are also prohibited because carbon dioxide affects digestion in space differently, and you don’t want to know how. Finally, it’s against the rules to consume fish, and if you’ve ever microwaved a fish meal at work and dealt with your coworker’s complaints, you know why: that smell will linger on the ISS for days.

Alcohol is not allowed on board

An astronaut lounging on the moon greets Earth by holding up a bottle with a straw inside

Supamotionstock.com/Shutterstock

Everyone who visits the ISS is an adult who works hard, so why not let him or her enjoy a beer at the end of a long day? There are a number of reasons why alcohol is not permitted for anyone serving aboard the ISS. Beer is already banned because it is carbonated, but you won’t find a drop of wine or spirits on board the ISS either.

Daniel G. Huot, spokesman for NASA’s Johnson Space Center, explained to the BBC why: “Alcohol is not permitted for consumption aboard the International Space Station. The use of alcohol and other volatile substances is monitored on the ISS due to the impact their substances can have on the station’s water recovery system.” In case you didn’t know, all water, including urine, is recycled on board, meaning very little is wasted.

Transporting water to the ISS is not feasible, so the astronauts simply recycle it all. If their urine is contaminated with alcohol or other similar substances, the recycling machines may break down or malfunction. Astronauts can’t even use mouthwash, perfume or aftershave because they all contain alcohol. Plus, you’re not allowed to drink while piloting or piloting an airplane, so why should astronauts responsible for operating a $150,000,000,000 space station be allowed to do so?

The ISS is a sex-free zone

Two astronauts embracing in microgravity

John Lamb/Getty Images

Believe it or not, one of the biggest no-no’s aboard the ISS is sex. This is a long-standing rule that every astronaut must adhere to, even if he does living in the ISS somewhat challenging. However, the reasons are actually very logical. For starters, sex in microgravity is incredibly difficult: it’s hard to be intimate with someone when every movement results in them floating apart.

There are also concerns about a complete lack of privacy for those involved, and for those who have to listen to those who do. Furthermore, bodily fluids pose a risk to machines, and without going into too much detail, that’s not something the various space agencies want to risk. There is also a chance of injury, which is a problem, and pregnancy can be concerning as being an astronaut is not the safest job in the world. That said, it may not be possible to get pregnant in microgravity outside of IVF.

NASA has talked about sex in space and insists it hasn’t happened yet. That said, it is theoretically possible if certain measures are taken to ensure that no personal harm occurs, that nothing is floating around, and that a degree of privacy can be achieved. But until NASA changes its blanket “no sex” policy, there’s little chance astronauts will grab some tissues and join the 220-mile-high club anytime soon.