Scientist reveals whether having sex in space is possible and why it could be more difficult than you’d think

You've heard of trying to join the mile high club, but it's something else entirely to attempt the deed in space.

It's probably not something many of us will ever need to worry about, unless humanity ever does leave Earth on enormous space arks to head out into the cosmos on a voyage of discovery.

But until then, it's just a handful of astronauts who will have the opportunity to see if it's actually possible at all.

However, this is not like doing the horizontal mambo on solid ground, and the unique environment up in space means that there are some significant challenges.

It's not just one problem either, there are both mechanical problems, as well as potential biological problems to deal with.

So, what are the issues that you might face trying to have sex in space?

In space, no one can hear you scream but making noise isn't exactly the issue (OsakaWayne Studios/Getty)

Well, the big one is the zero gravity environment.

Whether it's doggystyle, cowgirl, the wheelbarrow, or just good old missionary, all sex positions rely on gravity to keep the participants, well, 'engaged' (one for the Star Trek fans there).

The main problem is that when two objects collide in zero gravity they send each other sailing off in the opposite direction, think like hitting a puck on an air hockey table.

In 2018, physicist and astronomer John Millis told The Sun: “Even the lightest touch can make it difficult to stay in contact if both persons are not properly anchored. The astronauts would need to brace themselves against the space station and even each other.”

Given that making repeated and sustained contact is a pretty important of coitus, having partners shooting off in opposite directions with every thrust might put a dampener on things.

Millis suggested one partner be secured using a 'strap system', which to be fair, some people already do on Earth anyway.

Gravity is essential for spooning, who would have thought? (Maria Korneeva/Getty)

“That could be a jungle gym–type apparatus that allows people to position themselves appropriately to a strap system that holds them together or clothing that accomplishes the same thing,” Millis told Glamour. ”Imaginative minds will create something ingenious, I’m sure.”

But it's not just being propelled away from each other which is an issue.

Being in zero gravity can alter the way that someone's blood flows, with more of it going to their head.

Blood flow to the genitals is important for arousal with both penises and vaginas, but zero gravity could also make maintaining an erection more difficult.

Houston, we have a problem.