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Looking at space missions and the incredible suits of astronauts, one would think that they are made to withstand the extreme temperatures and hostile conditions of space, however, space helmets have a dual purpose: to keep the air inside and to smell.
Space, like Earth, emits various odors from all corners of the infinite universe, which are often generally unpleasant, Space.com reports, citing numerous space expeditions over the decades.
While it’s impossible to smell space without facing certain death, astronauts have long described strong odors clinging to their spacesuits after returning to airtight chambers.
metallic burnt flesh
Those aboard the Apollo moon landings described the smell as reminiscent of gunpowder, while others passing through the International Space Station compared the smell to that of a burnt steak.
According to scientists, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are found in charred foods on Earth and are commonly found in space, are responsible for the metallic smell of burnt meat.
However, the metallic smell is likely a reaction to oxygen rather than that found in space: individual O2 atoms cling to astronauts’ spacesuits before they enter the airless vacuum of space and repressurize. upon re-entering the airlock, the atoms combine with fresh oxygen to form ozone, or O3, Space.com reported.
Alcoholic drink
Some astronauts who have removed their helmets after spacewalk have also reported that ozone smells bitter and smoky and even like rum and raspberries, a description that former NASA chemist Steve Pearce infused into the perfume “Eau de Space” in 2020.
The smell of alcohol is slightly stronger than other descriptions and has previously been associated with Sagittarius B2, a large dust cloud at the center of our galaxy that contains large amounts of alcohol, including vinyl alcohol, methanol and ethanol.
Fortunately, the cloud also contains the chemical compound ethyl formate, which gives raspberries and rum their sweet aroma.
Flatulence
As if its name didn’t give it away, Uranus reeks strongly of gas, a putrid discovery made in 2018.
The seventh planet in the Sun’s upper atmosphere is made up of hydrogen sulfide, a compound that creates the smell of rotten eggs and human farts.
Fortunately or not, the harsh conditions and extremely cold temperature of the distant planet would kill an Earthling long before the smell would.
Power
Although they are some of the most beautiful parts of the universe, comets have landed somewhere as some of the smelliest.
Like the planet Uranus, ice balls and Earth are surrounded by a halo of hydrogen sulfide molecules, as well as ammonia, which resembles the repulsive smell of urine, scientists discovered in 2014.
Interestingly, they also give off a sweeter almond aroma.
Benzine
Scientists have discovered that Saturn’s largest moon has a distinct smell of gasoline, which shouldn’t come as a surprise since Titan is covered in rivers and lakes of oil.
The moon’s atmosphere is also made up of a thick smog of hydrocarbons, which are the molecules that make up the oil used to make gasoline.
The smell itself can be attributed to the benzene molecule, which also occurs naturally in gasoline and floats in Titan’s atmosphere.
