• Question: what happens when u take your helmet off in space?

    Asked by ashliexox to Rochelle, Julia, Jon F, Beth, Adrian on 22 Jan 2016. This question was also asked by chloeb.
    • Photo: Julia Attias

      Julia Attias answered on 22 Jan 2016:

      Lets just say it wouldn’t be pleasant! This is not something that an astronaut should do :p The lack of pressure in space would cause many problems to the astronauts, but the greatest risk is the risk of ebbullism (formation of bubbles in body fluids) . This can cause unconsciousness very quickly due to the effect of reduced pressure on de-oxygenation of the blood.

      Lets just clarify that these risks are only when they go outside of the station – they do not have these risks inside as the ISS is pressurised to the same pressure we have on Earth (~760mmHg).

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