What happens if an astronaut vomit in space?

Vomiting in space is a significant concern for astronauts. The unique environment of space presents challenges for cleaning up and containing vomit, and the free-floating nature of fluids in microgravity raises health issues. However, NASA has developed special tools and procedures to deal with space sickness and the possibility of astronauts throwing up.

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What causes astronauts to vomit in space?

There are a few key factors that can trigger vomiting in astronauts once they are in space:

Space adaptation syndrome – Around 50% of astronauts experience space motion sickness during their first few days in microgravity. Nausea and vomiting are common symptoms as the brain adapts to weightlessness.
Anxiety – Pre-flight jitters and claustrophobia inside a spacesuit can cause nausea and vomiting.
Vertigo – The inner ear can get confused by microgravity, triggering vertigo and vomiting.

Bad odors – Smells from food, waste, hygiene products, and experiments can trigger vomiting if an astronaut is sensitive.
Spacecraft spin – During launch and landing, the spinning motion of the spacecraft can cause motion sickness.
Other illness – Astronauts can get sick in space just like on Earth. Vomiting may occur with gastrointestinal bugs, the flu, migraines, etc.

Microgravity causes fluids to float around, so vomiting results in a floating blob of fluid and particles that must be cleaned up. The urge to vomit can strike with little warning, due to spatial disorientation and a lack of gravity to pull vomit out of the mouth.

What problems does vomiting cause in space?

Vomiting in the confined area of a spacecraft creates several concerns:

Choking hazard – Stomach contents could enter the trachea instead of exiting the mouth.

Equipment damage – Acidic vomit could corrode surfaces and damage sensitive electronics if it comes into contact.
Illness transmission – Floating vomit particles could spread illness among the crew.
Hygiene issues – Bits of vomit could cling to surfaces or enter the air filters and vents.

Blockages – Vomit could clog filters, tubing, or equipment if sucked into ventilation systems.
Vision issues – Floating vomit in the air could get in astronauts’ eyes, temporarily blinding them.

Dealing with these problems takes time away from vital mission tasks. Also, the unpleasantness of cleaning up vomit could affect astronauts’ morale and mental health.

How do astronauts deal with vomiting emergencies in space?

All astronauts receive training on how to deal with vomiting before going into space. Key guidelines include:

Use provided vomit bags – Astronauts are provided with special vomit bags that use gels to trap and contain stomach contents.
Position the head properly – Astronauts should turn their heads down and to the side so vomit can exit cleanly without spreading.

Seal the bag quickly – Once done vomiting, the bag must be sealed to prevent leaks.
Clean up particles – Any floating traces of vomit should be cleaned up quickly with disinfectant wipes.
Report the incident – Astronauts report vomiting incidents to mission control for health monitoring and to coordinate clean-up.

Filter the air – Activating the spacecraft’s air filters helps remove lingering vomit particles.

Astronauts practice dealing with fake vomit in microgravity environments during their pre-flight training. Having an effective response plan is crucial for minimizing the impacts.

What equipment and tools help manage vomiting in space?

In addition to vomit bags, astronauts have access to other specialized gear for dealing with throw up in microgravity:

Wet/dry vacuum cleaner – Sucks up floating traces of vomit.
Disinfectant wipes – Kill germs on surfaces contaminated by vomit.
Extra air filters – Replace clogged filters quickly to keep air quality high.

Eye wash bottle – Rinse eyes if vomit gets in them.
Nasal spray – Removes vomit odors from nostrils.
Air sanitizers – Devices that actively scrub contaminants from the air.

Protective gloves – Reduce contact with vomit while cleaning.
Face masks – Prevent ingestion/inhalation of airborne vomit particles.

Having enough supplies on hand is important since no new equipment can be launched on short notice. Astronauts also wear patches that provide medication to control nausea and vomiting when needed.

What happens when astronauts vomit in their spacesuits?

Vomiting inside an astronaut’s spacesuit is a dangerous scenario requiring an immediate response. Here’s what astronauts are trained to do if this occurs:

Report it immediately – Communicate the situation to mission control for assistance.
Open helmet – The helmet needs to be quickly removed to avoid inhaling or choking on vomit.

Retrieve the vomit – Using helmets tools, collect as much vomit as possible.
Dispose in bags – Secure the vomit in sealed containers for later sanitization.
Sanitize helmet – Thoroughly clean and disinfect the inside of the helmet.

Dry out suit – Remove all moisture with towels before resealing the suit.
Replace gear – Any heavily contaminated gear should be switched out if possible.
Seek medical care – Get checked by medical staff once back inside the spacecraft.

Vomiting in a spacesuit could damage equipment and become a life-threatening situation. Astronauts rehearse for this emergency scenario in training pools on Earth.

How is vomit cleaned up in space after an incident?

Cleaning up vomit in space requires special equipment and procedures, including:

Isolating the area – Closing doors/hatches to prevent spreading.

Particulate control – Activating filtration systems and fans to clear airborne bits.
Surface cleaning – Wiping down all contaminated surfaces with disinfectant.
Deodorizing – Using air fresheners and sanitizers to neutralize odors.

No-rinse products – Due to limited water, no-rinse disinfectants are optimal.
Waste containment – Vomit is collected in sealed bags for disposal.
Laundering – Clothing and towels are cleaned in special sanitizing units.

Crew showering – Astronauts wash up after cleaning to remove traces.
Equipment checks – Maintenance is done to ensure nothing was damaged.

Thorough sanitization is necessary since vomit could spread germs throughout the close quarters of a spacecraft. Astronauts must take time away from science work after an incident to complete the tedious cleanup.

How is vomit disposed of in space after cleanup?

Since storage space is limited on spacecraft, vomit waste cannot be kept for the duration of the mission. It must be processed and disposed of. Options include:

Temporary storage – Keeping sealed bags in cold storage units until disposal is possible.
Wastewater systems – If compatible, adding vomit to spacecraft wastewater processing systems.

Solid waste incineration – Burning dried vomit waste in special chambers.
Space capsule loading – Loading dispose bags into capsules that burn up on re-entry.
Spacecraft ejection – Ejecting sealed bags into space where solar radiation breaks down waste over time.

Return to Earth – Bringing collected vomit waste back down with spacecraft for proper ground disposal.

Proper protocols must be followed to avoid contaminating food or water supplies with traces of vomit. Astronauts keep detailed records of waste disposal activities.

How is space sickness treated to prevent vomiting in space?

To reduce vomiting episodes, astronauts take medications and use tools to counteract space sickness:

Motion sickness drugs – Scopolamine patches or promethazine pills help reduce nausea.
Acupressure bands – Worn on wrists, these bands stimulate anti-nausea points.
Ear patches – Patches worn behind the ear can reduce motion sickness.

Adjustable ventilation – Increased air flow prevents stuffy environments.
Ginger ale – Drinking ginger ale can ease stomach upset.
Relaxation techniques – Breathing exercises, meditation, and imagery help calm symptoms.

Fatty foods – Small amounts of fatty foods sometimes settle the stomach.
Minimal head movements – Keeping head still aids adaptation to microgravity.

Astronauts avoid doing somersaults and flips when first entering space. Those with persistent vomiting require customized treatment regimens.

Conclusion

Dealing with vomiting is an inevitable part of life in space. Astronauts must adapt to avoiding, containing, and cleaning up throw up in microgravity environments. Advancements in specialized gear help manage incidents safely. While vomiting remains a nuisance astronauts have to contend with, proper countermeasures and response protocols minimize health risks and disruptions to space missions.