Featured Image Credit: Alamy
Topics: Space, NASA, Sex and Relationships
Anish Vij
This article was updated 10/8/2022, to correctly identify the person who made the claims. Previous versions of this article misattributed the quote to mechanical engineer for a NASA contractor Smythe Mullikin, when they were made by podcast co-host and comedian Matt Gourley.
The question we probably have never thought about asking – why can't astronauts have a bit of 'me time' in space?
Well, TV host and podcaster Conan O'Brien recently discussed the topic on his Needs a Friend podcast, as he spoke to Smythe Mullikin – who works for a NASA contractor in Texas – alongside his co-hosts, comedian Matt Gourley and author Sona Movsesian.
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“Smythe… were someone to be watching space porn up on the space station, how does that work?” Conan asked.
At this point, Gourley interjected, saying: “Three female astronauts can be impregnated by the same man on the same session.”
“Because the semen flies around?” O’Brien asked, to which Gourley responded: “Uh-huh. And finds its way.”
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Unfortunately, Gourley's comments got the group off track, and Mullikin didn't get to answer Conan's question.
Unsurprisingly, there has been very little research into the topic.
However, a proposal to study it further has been made by scientists.
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Simon Dubé, one of the lead authors, said: "Research on human intimacy and sexuality in space – including their socio-cultural and psychological components – is quasi-nonexistent.
"No research has explored intimate relationships nor the human experience of sexual functions and wellbeing in space or space analogues, or how any of this can affect crew performance."
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