sex in space

Human sexual activity in the weightlessness of outer space presents difficulties due to Newton's third law. According to the law, if the couple remain attached, their movements will counter each other. Consequently, their actions will not change their velocity unless they are affected by another, unattached, object. Some difficulty could occur due to drifting into other objects. If the couple have a combined velocity relative to other objects, collisions could occur. The discussion of sex in space has also raised the issue of conception and pregnancy in space.{{cite web|url=http://metronews.ca/features/race-for-space-countdown/97508/thrusters-on-full-sex-in-space/ |title=Thrusters on full: Sex in space |newspaper=Metro |publisher=Free Daily News Group Inc./Star Media Group |date=April 9, 2012 |last=Monks |first=Keiron |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110233158/http://metronews.ca/features/race-for-space-countdown/97508/thrusters-on-full-sex-in-space/ |archive-date=November 10, 2014 |url-status=live |access-date= June 12, 2015}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14002908 |title=Outer-space sex carries complications |work=NBCNews.com |date=2006-07-24 |last=Boyle |first=Alan |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150425014045/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/14002908#.VXseDflViko |archive-date=April 25, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=2015-06-12}}{{Cite web |last=Kraaijvanger |first=Caroline |date=2012-04-07 |title=Seks in de ruimte: is het mogelijk? |url=https://scientias.nl/seks-in-de-ruimte-is-het-mogelijk/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Scientias.nl |language=nl-NL}}{{Cite web |last=aniceelejeune |last2=Monks |first2=Kieron |date=2012-04-12 |title=S’envoyer en l’air dans l’espace |url=https://journalmetro.com/monde/55550/senvoyer-en-lair-dans-lespace/ |access-date=2025-04-30 |website=Journal Métro |language=fr-FR}}

{{as of|2009}}, with NASA planning lunar outposts and possibly long-duration missions, the topic has taken a respectable place in life sciences. Despite this, some researchers have argued that national and private space agencies have yet to develop any concrete research and plans to address human sexuality in space.{{cite news |url=https://theconversation.com/love-and-rockets-we-need-to-figure-out-how-to-have-sex-in-space-for-human-survival-and-well-being-167515|title= Love and rockets: We need to figure out how to have sex in space for human survival and well-being |work=theconversation.com |date=2021-09-12 |access-date=2021-09-18}}{{cite journal |last1=Dubé |first1=Simon |last2=Santaguida |first2=Maria |last3=Anctil |first3=David |last4=Giaccari |first4=Lisa |last5=Lapierre |first5=Judith |display-authors=2 | title=The Case for Space Sexology |journal=Journal of Sex Research |publisher=Taylor & Francis Online |date=December 8, 2021 |volume=60 |issue=2 |pages=165–176 |doi=10.1080/00224499.2021.2012639 |pmid=34878963 |s2cid=245006810 }} Dubé and colleagues (2021) proposed that NASA should embrace the discipline of space sexology by integrating sex research into their Human Research Program. Santaguida and colleagues (2022) have further argued that space agencies and private companies should invest in this discipline to address the potential for sexual harassment and assault in space contexts.{{Cite web |last1=Santaguida |first1=Maria |last2=Lapierre |first2=Judith |last3=Dubé |first3=Simon |title=#MeToo in space: We must address the potential for sexual harassment and assault away from Earth |url=https://theconversation.com/metoo-in-space-we-must-address-the-potential-for-sexual-harassment-and-assault-away-from-earth-191841 |access-date=2022-10-13 |website=The Conversation |date=12 October 2022 |language=en}}

Numerous physiological changes have been noted during spaceflight, many of which may affect sex and procreation, notably circulation and the flow of blood within the body. Such potential effects would likely be caused by a culmination of factors, including gravitational changes, planetary and space radiation, noise, vibration, social isolation, disrupted circadian rhythms, or mental and physical stress.{{cite journal |last1=Jennings |first1=RT |last2=Santy |first2=PA |title=Reproduction in the space environment: Part II. Concerns for human reproduction |journal=Obstetrical & Gynecological Survey |year=1990 |volume=45 |issue=1 |pages=7–17 |doi=10.1097/00006254-199001000-00006|pmid=2405309}}

The primary issue to be considered in off-Earth reproduction is the lack of gravitational acceleration. Life on Earth, and thus the reproductive and ontogenetic processes of all life, evolved under the constant influence of the Earth's 1g gravitational field. It is important to study how space environment affects critical phases of mammalian reproduction and development, as well as the events surrounding fertilization, embryogenesis, pregnancy, birth, postnatal maturation, and parental care.{{cite book|last1=Ronca|first1=April E|title=Developmental Biology Research in Space|chapter=Mammalian Development in Space|series=Advances in Space Biology and Medicine|volume=9|year=2003|pages=217–251|issn=1569-2574|doi=10.1016/S1569-2574(03)09009-9|pmid=14631635|isbn=9780444513533}}

Studies conducted on rats revealed that, although the fetus developed properly once exposed to normal gravity, rats raised in microgravity lacked the ability to right themselves.{{cite web |url=http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102222743.html |title=Utricular and saccular projections of fetal rats raised in normal gravity and microgravity |website=NLM Gateway Search |archive-date=9 August 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110809060317/http://gateway.nlm.nih.gov/MeetingAbstracts/ma?f=102222743.html |access-date=25 January 2014 |first1=Fritzsch |last1=B |first2=Bruce |last2=LL |date=October 1995 |publisher=ASGSB Bull}} Another study examined mouse embryo fertilization in microgravity. Although this resulted in healthy mice, once implanted at normal gravity, the fertilization rate was lower for the embryos fertilized in microgravity.{{cite journal|last1=Wakayama |first1=Sayaka |last2=Kawahara |first2=Yumi |last3=Li |first3=Chong |last4=Yamagata |first4=Kazuo |last5=Yuge |first5=Louis |last6=Wakayama |first6=Teruhiko |display-authors=2 |editor-last=Dey |editor-first=Sudhansu |title=Detrimental Effects of Microgravity on Mouse Preimplantation Development In Vitro |journal=PLoS ONE |publisher=Public Library of Science |volume=4 |issue=8 |date=August 25, 2009 |pages=e6753 |issn=1932-6203 |pmid=19707597 |pmc=2727478 |doi=10.1371/journal.pone.0006753 |bibcode=2009PLoSO...4.6753W |doi-access=free }} {{asof|2006}}, no mice or rats had developed while in microgravity throughout the entire life cycle.{{cite journal |last1=Crawford-Young |first1=Susan J. |title=Effects of microgravity on cell cytoskeleton and embryogenesis |url=http://www.ijdb.ehu.es/web/descarga/paper/052077sc |format=PDF |journal=The International Journal of Developmental Biology |volume=50 |issue=2/3 |year=2006 |pages=183–191 |pmid=16479487 |issn=0214-6282 |doi=10.1387/ijdb.052077sc |access-date=January 25, 2014|doi-access=free}}

In 2006, American novelist Vanna Bonta invented the 2suit, a garment designed to facilitate sex in weightless environments such as outer space, or on planets with low gravity.{{cite web |url=http://www.femail.com.au/vanna-bonta-talks-sex-in-space.htm |title=Vanna Bonta Talks Sex in Space |website=Femail.com.au |date=August 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150322102732/http://www.femail.com.au/vanna-bonta-talks-sex-in-space.htm |archive-date=March 22, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date= June 12, 2015}} The 2suit was made of a lightweight fabric, with a Velcro-lined exterior, which would enable two people to securely embrace.{{sfn|Cuhaj|2022|loc=p. 178: "The suit she designed was made of lightweight material, and the jacket fronts were lined with Velcro. When unzipped, they allowed the individuals to attach to the other's suit, providing close face-to-face contact."}} However, Bonta stressed that the 2suit was versatile, and was not intended for the sole purpose of sex.{{sfn|Cuhaj|2022|loc=p. 178: "Describing the suit, Bonta stressed that it was not only for sex."}} Functionality testing was conducted in 2008 by Bonta aboard G-Force One, a low gravity simulator. It took eight attempts for the two test participants (Bonta and her husband) to embrace one another.{{sfn|Cuhaj|2022|loc=p. 178: "On December 3, 2008, two porotype [prototype?] 2suits were readied as Vanna and her husband once again took the skies in G-Force One. Their goal was simple enough, complete one successful docking and kiss before gravity resumed. During several attempts, the couple, eyed wide open as if afraid of crashing in to the other, did just that, colliding without successfully linking the suits. Finally, on the eight try, it was mission accomplished."}} According to science author Mark Thompson, the 2suit was cumbersome but moderately successful, and it is not clear whether or not it will have practical value for future space travelers.{{sfn|Thompson|2020|loc=p. 178: "The test took place in 2008 by Vanna and showed it to be cumbersome but moderately successful. There is no doubt that our future is among the stars, but whether the 2suit will be an essential item for lovers to pack remains to be seen."}} The 2suit has been covered in the TV series The Universe as well as a 2008 History Channel television documentary.{{Cite episode |title=Sex in Space |episode-link=The Universe (TV series)#ep36 |series=The Universe |series-link=The Universe (TV series) |network=History Channel |date=December 2, 2008 |season=3 }}[https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/12/history-channel-to-air-special.html History Channel to air special on 'sex in space'] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160915155939/https://www.newscientist.com/blogs/shortsharpscience/2008/12/history-channel-to-air-special.html |date=2016-09-15 }} New Scientist December 17, 2008 It has also been discussed by online writers.{{cite journal |url=http://www.thelmagazine.com/2012/10/celebrate-sputnik-day-by-thinking-about-space-sex/ |title=Celebrate Sputnik Day by Thinking About Space Sex |journal=The L Magazine |date=October 4, 2012 |last=Ference |first=Audrey |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612200151/http://www.thelmagazine.com/2012/10/celebrate-sputnik-day-by-thinking-about-space-sex/ |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date= June 12, 2015}}{{cite web |url=http://www.thepaltrysapien.com/2012/12/1000-words-1000-days-day-351-space-boinking-in-the-21st-century/ |title=1000 Words, 1000 Days: Day 351 – Space-Boinking In The 21st Century! |website=The Paltry Sapien |date=December 16, 2012 |first=Marty |last=Schwartz |url-status=usurped |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141110233101/http://www.thepaltrysapien.com/2012/12/1000-words-1000-days-day-351-space-boinking-in-the-21st-century/ |archive-date=November 10, 2014}}

NASA has stated that it knows of no intercourse in space.{{cite web | last=Sina | first=Marie | title=in space – DW – 09/22/2021 | website=dw.com | date=2021-09-22 | url=https://www.dw.com/en/lets-talk-about-sex-in-space/a-59202194 | access-date=2024-04-13}}

In June 2015, Pornhub announced its plans to make the first pornographic film in space. It launched a crowdfunding campaign to fund the effort, dubbed Sexploration, with the goal of raising $3.4 million in 60 days. The campaign only received pledges for $236,086. If funded, the film would have been slated for a 2016 release, following six months of training for the two performers and six-person crew.{{cite news |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/first-porn-in-space_n_7553126.html |title=Pornhub Crowdfunds First Porn Shot In Space |work=The Huffington Post |date=June 10, 2015 |first=David |last=Moye |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612020817/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2015/06/10/first-porn-in-space_n_7553126.html |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2015}}{{cite news |url=http://www.space.com/29642-sex-in-space-crowdfunding-,pornhub.html |title=Sex in Space: Porn Group Wants to Crowdfund Zero-G Adult Film |newspaper=Space.com |date=June 11, 2015 |last=Wall |first=Mike |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612151402/http://www.space.com/29642-sex-in-space-crowdfunding-pornhub.html |archive-date=June 12, 2015 |url-status=dead |access-date=June 12, 2015 }}{{Cite news|title = PornHub crowdfunds for sex tape filmed in space|url = https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2015/06/11/pornhub-crowdfunds-for-sex-tape-filmed-in-space/|newspaper = The Washington Post|date = 2015-06-11|access-date = 2015-11-21|issn = 0190-8286|language = en-US|first = Justin Wm|last = Moyer}}{{Cite web|title = Pornhub launches crowdfund to film porn in space|url = https://www.cnbc.com/2015/06/10/pornhub-launches-crowdfund-to-film-movie-in-space.html|website = CNBC|date = 10 June 2015|access-date = 2015-11-21}} Though it claimed to be in talks with multiple private spaceflight carriers, the company declined to name names "for fear that would risk unnecessary fallout" from the carriers. A Space.com article about the campaign mentioned that in 2008, Virgin Galactic received and rejected a $1 million offer from an undisclosed party to shoot a sex film on board SpaceShipTwo.

Adult film actress CoCo Brown had begun certifying for a co-pilot seat in the XCOR Lynx spaceplane, which would have launched in a suborbital flight in 2016 and spent a short amount of time in zero-gravity.{{cite web |last1=Love |first1=Dylan |title=Former porn star CoCo Brown is headed to outer space |url=https://www.dailydot.com/irl/coco-brown-outer-space/ |website=Daily Dot |date=7 May 2015 |access-date=9 September 2019}} However, XCOR Aerospace declared bankruptcy before ever flying a space tourist.{{cite web |url=http://www.parabolicarc.com/2017/07/05/xcor-lays-remaining-employees/ |access-date=8 September 2019 |date=5 July 2017 |first=Doug |last=Messier |publisher=parabolicarc.com |title=XCOR Lays off Remaining Employees}}

Short of actual space, the adult entertainment production company Private Media Group has filmed a movie called The Uranus Experiment: Part Two where an actual zero-gravity intercourse scene was accomplished with a reduced-gravity aircraft. The filming process was particularly difficult from a technical and logistical standpoint. Budget constraints allowed for only one {{nowrap|20-second}} shot, featuring the actors Silvia Saint and Nick Lang.{{cite web |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000620033738/http://www.space.com/sciencefiction/movies/uranus_experiment_000516.html |title=Zero Gravity Sex Film Up for Award |date=16 May 2000 |url=http://www.space.com/sciencefiction/movies/uranus_experiment_000516.html |website=SPACE.com |access-date=25 January 2014 |archive-date=20 June 2000}}

Science fiction writer and futurist Isaac Asimov, in a 1973 article "Sex in a Spaceship", conjectured what sex would be like in the weightless environment of space, anticipating some of the benefits of engaging in sex in an environment of microgravity.{{cite magazine|first=Isaac|last=Asimov|author-link=Isaac Asimov|title=Sex in a Spaceship|magazine=Sexology Magazine|date=January 1973}} (Reprinted in Science Past – Science Future, 1975)

On July 23, 2006, a Sex in Space panel was held at the Space Frontier Foundation's annual conference. Speakers were science journalist-author Laura Woodmansee, who presented her book Sex in Space;{{citation |url=http://space.about.com/od/bookreviews/gr/sex_in_space.htm |title=Review: Sex in Space by Laura S. Woodmansee |work=About: Space/Astronomy |first=Nick |last=Greene |publisher=About.com |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061214071238/http://space.about.com/od/bookreviews/gr/sex_in_space.htm |archive-date=December 14, 2006}} Jim Logan, the first graduate of a new aerospace medicine residency program to be hired by NASA's Johnson Space Center in Houston; and Vanna Bonta, an American poet, novelist, and actress who had recently flown in zero gravity and had agreed to an interview for Woodmansee's book. The speakers made presentations that explored "the biological, emotional, and ... physical issues that will confront people moving [off Earth] into the space environment."{{cite web |url=http://archive.spacefrontier.org/Events/NewSpace2006/ |publisher=Space Frontier Foundation |title=NewSpace 2006 Agenda |access-date=April 10, 2015 |archive-date=June 15, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150615031157/http://archive.spacefrontier.org/Events/NewSpace2006/ |url-status=dead }} NBC science journalist Alan Boyle reported on the panel, opening a world discussion of a topic previously considered taboo.

"Sex in Space" was the title of an episode of the History Channel documentary television series The Universe in 2008. The globally distributed show was dubbed into foreign languages, opening worldwide discussion about what had previously been avoided as a taboo subject. Sex in space became a topic of discussion for the long-term survival of the human species, colonization of other planets, inspired songs, and humanized reasons for space exploration.[http://peru21.pe/vida21/fantasia-sexo-gravedad-cero-2039736 La fantasía del sexo en gravedad cero] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160906142951/http://peru21.pe/vida21/fantasia-sexo-gravedad-cero-2039736 |date=2016-09-06 }} PERU21; 29 August 2012

Image:Moonraker and weightless premarital hanky panky.png (1979)]]

The idea of sex in space appears frequently in science fiction. Arthur C. Clarke claimed to first address it in his 1973 novel Rendezvous with Rama.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908748-5,00.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121024100647/http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,908748-5,00.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=October 24, 2012 |title=Letters to the Editor |magazine=Time |first=Arthur C.|last=Clarke |date=1974-09-23}}

In the pilot episode of the Expanse, 'Dulcinea', a scene was shown where the first officer of the ice hauler ship, the Canterbury, was having sexual intercourse with the ship's navigator in zero gravity. The intercourse was met with a sudden interruption when the ship resumed thrust, slamming them both to the bunk bed with the acceleration.

• {{annotated link|Birth aboard aircraft and ships}}
• {{annotated link|Document 12-571-3570}}
• {{annotated link|Effect of spaceflight on the human body}}
• {{annotated link|Mile high club}}
• {{annotated link|Space advocacy}}
• {{annotated link|Space colonization}}
• {{annotated link|Space medicine}}
• {{annotated link|Space sexology}}
• {{annotated link|Space tourism}}

{{Reflist|30em}}

{{refbegin}}

• {{cite journal |first=Robert |last=Freitas Jr. |url=http://www.rfreitas.com/Astro/SexxxInSpace.htm |title=Sex in Space |journal=Sexology Today |number=48 |date=April 1983 |pages=58–64}}
• {{cite journal|last1=Levin|first1=RJ|title=Effects of space travel on sexuality and the human reproductive system |journal=Journal of the British Interplanetary Society|date=August 1989 |volume=42 |issue=7 |pages=378–82 |pmid=11540233}}
• {{cite book |last1=Cuhaj |first1=Joe |title=Space Oddities: Forgotten Stories of Mankind's Exploration of Space |date=2022 |publisher=Rowman & Littlefield |isbn=978-1-63388-785-5 |page=178 |language=en}}
• {{cite book |last1=Thompson |first1=Mark S. |title=101 Facts You Didn't Know About Space |date=2020 |publisher=Pen & Sword |isbn=978-1-5267-4458-6 |page=100-101 |language=en}}

{{refend}}

• [https://web.archive.org/web/20100908075709/http://outsideonline.com/outside/culture/200612/sex-in-space-1.html Adventures in Space, The Zero-G Spot], by Michael Behar; OUTSIDE Magazine, December 2006
• [https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna14002908 Outer-space sex carries complications] By Alan Boyle, MSNBC July 24, 2006. Concept of "2suit" design of American writer Vanna Bonta.
• [http://www.jamesoberg.com/sex.html Space sex hoax rises again] by James Oberg
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20060415183927/http://space.com/news/space_pregnancy_001218_wg.html Pregnancy in Space Seems Possible]
• [https://www.theguardian.com/science/2000/feb/24/spaceexploration.internationalnews1 Astronauts test sex in space - but did the earth move?] The Guardian, February 24, 2000
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20201108112808/https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna26991760 Virgin Galactic rejects $1 million space porn] by Peter B. de Selding, MSNBC, October 2, 2008
• [https://www.straightdope.com/21342196/has-anyone-ever-had-sex-in-space Has anyone ever had sex in space?] from The Straight Dope by Cecil Adams, February 28, 1997
• Space Frontier Foundation's media archives for the SFF1484 panel [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLM6CVeRs08 "Sex in Space"] from the 2006 "New Space Return to the Moon Conference" featuring authors Laura Woodmansee, and Vanna Bonta with NASA physician Dr. John Logan.
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20080710053017/http://www.space.com/scienceastronomy/generalscience/russian_sex_studies_000316.html From Russia... with Love (propaganda-style interview with Russian "space procreation" specialist)]
• [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/00224499.2021.2012639 The Case for Space Sexology]
• [https://theconversation.com/love-and-rockets-we-need-to-figure-out-how-to-have-sex-in-space-for-human-survival-and-well-being-167515 Love and rockets: We need to figure out how to have sex in space for human survival and well-being]

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Category:human sexuality

Category:human spaceflight

Category:Sexual intercourse