• News
  • Film and TV
  • Music
  • Tech
  • Features
  • Celebrity
  • Politics
  • Weird
  • Community
  • Advertise
  • Terms
  • Privacy & Cookies
  • LADbible Group
  • LADbible
  • SPORTbible
  • GAMINGbible
  • Tyla
  • UNILAD Tech
  • FOODbible
  • License Our Content
  • About Us & Contact
  • Jobs
  • Latest
  • Topics A-Z
  • Authors
Facebook
Instagram
X
Threads
TikTok
YouTube
Submit Your Content
Scientist explains what would actually happen to your body in space without a spacesuit

Home> Technology> Space

Published 16:55 3 Nov 2023 GMT

Scientist explains what would actually happen to your body in space without a spacesuit

It's worth keeping in mind, if you ever find yourself in space

Emily Brown

Emily Brown

There are a lot of things to wonder about when it comes to space, but have you ever thought about what would happen if you ventured out there without a spacesuit?

Sure, there's the obvious answer: you wouldn't be able to breathe, and therefore you'd die.

But Dr. Alfredo Carpineti, who has a PhD in Astrophysics, has explained to IFL Science that your body would experience a lot more than struggling lungs.

Advert

Thankfully, the reality of heading into space without a spacesuit isn't quite what we see on TV or in movies.

Your face wouldn't melt, and you wouldn't immediately combust.

What would happen is still pretty horrific though, and a lot of it is due to the lack of atmosphere.

As there's no pressure in space, Carpineti explained that fluids evaporate at a much lower temperature.

When it comes to our bodies, that means that everything on the surface, including our skin, mouth and eyes, would bubble.

Spacesuits are handy in space if you want to live.
Pexels

On top of that surface bubbling, there would also be bubbles under the skin, in bodily fluids due to a reduction in ambient pressure.

These bubbles could potentially move to the blood, causing an embolism.

One thing that could actually help you if you find yourself cast out into space without a spacesuit, which is hopefully a situation you'll manage to avoid in life, is screaming.

This is handy, since you'd probably not be full of laughter and joy while floating around in endless space with no oxygen.

Carpineti explained that screaming would help prevent you from holding your breath; a move which could cause any leftover air in your lungs to expand, and cause them to rupture.

You definitely don't want to hold you breath.
YouTube/@dgeye

Obviously, you'd die after a few seconds either way, but the scientist noted that it would probably be a bit less painful if you screamed, rather than letting your lungs burst.

The lack of oxygen is really the key factor though, as without breathable air, you'd only get about 15 seconds to take in your surroundings before you lost consciousness.

You'd then find yourself floating around for maybe another minute or so, if you're lucky, before your body would give up altogether.

Throughout all of that, you'd be unable to avoid dangerous radiation from the Sun which would cause at the very least bad sunburn, but could also increase your chance of getting cancer.

So even if by some miracle you were rescued from space, you probably wouldn't be in for a great time back on Earth.

All in all, I think it's best to remember your spacesuit the next time you're in space.

Whenever that may be.

Featured Image Credit: YouTube/@dgeye

Topics: Space, Science

Emily Brown
Emily Brown

Emily Brown is UNILAD Editorial Lead at LADbible Group. She first began delivering news when she was just 11 years old - with a paper route - before graduating with a BA Hons in English Language in the Media from Lancaster University. Emily joined UNILAD in 2018 to cover breaking news, trending stories and longer form features. She went on to become Community Desk Lead, commissioning and writing human interest stories from across the globe, before moving to the role of Editorial Lead. Emily now works alongside the UNILAD Editor to ensure the page delivers accurate, interesting and high quality content.

Advert

Advert

Advert

  • Terrifying simulation shows what would happen to a human body in space without a spacesuit
  • What would happen if Trump actually invaded Greenland as WW3 fears rise
  • Expert explains what actually happens to your body during sleep paralysis
  • What will actually happen if the Doomsday Clock hits midnight as experts to make announcement today

Choose your content:

19 hours ago
a day ago
2 days ago
  • Joe Raedle/Getty Images
    19 hours ago

    Why NASA astronauts face ‘significant challenge’ in −410F temperatures as they prepare to fly farther into space than ever before

    It comes as extreme weather has pushed the initial Artemis II launch date back

    Technology
  • LOPEZ / AFP via Getty Images / CHARLY TRIBALLEAU / AFP via Getty Images
    a day ago

    Leaked internal memo from Apple about Minneapolis ICE shootings sparks controversy

    Tim Cook is believed to have sent the message to Apple employees addressing the 'heartbreaking' events in Minneapolis

    Technology
  • Getty Images/Xavier Lorenzo
    a day ago

    Job recruitment expert warns people why they shouldn’t use AI to ‘improve’ their resume

    AI might make your resume look shiny and perfect, but is that really what employers want?

    Technology
  • Alyssa Carson
    2 days ago

    24-year-old who wanted to be first person on Mars breaks down 4 major problems with getting there

    The astrobiologist has been dreaming of this since she was a child

    Technology