Finally this issue has cropped up. Can they do, have they done it, were questions asked before; now it is rather will they be allowed to do it? According to this article in the Independent, in WW1, frontline troops who were away from their loved ones for long periods had bromide put into their tea to reduce their libidos. Now that a trip to Mars is being considered it was suggested that such measures might have to be considered once again. For a trip to Mars would take up to 3 years, 6 months to get there, then a period of 2 years to wait on Mars for the Earth to come back into alignment again for the 6 month trip back. Plenty can happen for plans to send a mission of 6 astronauts are likely to include two women on such a trip. The 3-year-period is sufficient for a baby or two or even three to be conceived and born in outer space. This issue was addressed recently by Dr Rachel Armstrong, who spoke at a British Interplanetary Society symposium on the Human Future and Space. She said the US space agency Nasa was considering how to deal with the natural urges of astronauts travelling on long journeys. She went on to say that Nasa is talking about the chemical sterilisation of astronauts on long journeys. NASA has in turn denied that this issue is being discused but other scientists believe it is a topic that should be dealt with head-on. According to Douglas Powell, a psychology professor at Harvard University who was recruited in 1999 by Nasa to investigate the behavioural needs of long-term space trips, "Like anywhere, these are normal healthy people in their prime and they are sexually active so they are going to get involved with each other. So what's going to happen in space? It's a serious question and it needs to be confronted." The Independent article carried various suggestions on how to tackle the issue. This one sounds 'great' :: "Crew the mission with astronauts over 50," are they saying that SEX stops at 50. The last time i posed this question, "When does one stop having sex?" to a grandma of 75, her answer was :: "Personally, i don't know when." Those who are wondering if it can be done in outer space, the answer is yes, as no physical problems would arise, the presence or absence of gravity doesn't affect body mechanics as far as the act is concerned. Has any astronauts become members of the 200-mile-high club? Don't be lazy, go read the article yourself, here. Apart from just sex and the hormonal urges associated, the astronauts on such long trips have to deal with the psychological strains and interpersonal relationship and behaviour. Aren't they also problems we all face on Mother Earth.
The Funnies, The Spins, The Humourous and The Humourless......
"I do not aim at fusion. Each religion has its own contribution to make to human evolution.
I regard the great faiths of the WORLD as so many branches of a tree, each distinct from the other though having the same source.----Mahatma Ghandhi.
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