The 200 Mile High Club
In a rather obvious self-promotional move to help sell a book, Laura Woodmansee raises several actually important questions. What are the implications of sex in space? There are legitimate concerns about the possibility of conception in space. Let's be serious, too. You know, with absolute certainty, that some space tourists will be going into space for only one reason. Sex.
Many have wondered what it might be like to make love in space. The passionate couples who book flights to the very first space hotel will be more than excited to try zero-g sex. From what I've learned while working on my soon-to-be-released book, Sex in Space, I've come to the conclusion that honeymoons in space and out-of-this-world sex will be a reality within a decade.
Some people believe that space sex will be a frustrating experience and that lovers will give up. No way! Weightless couples will find a way to get together. I've written an entire chapter in my Sex in Space book where I suggest ways to, shall we say, accomplish things, but it's too much to cover here. I'm not advocating that people go into space and have casual sex. I'm advocating that people take romantic vacations in space with their significant other, preferably their soul mate. The bottom line is that sex in space will probably take some practice and hard work at first. Since people are very creative, I have no doubt that it will make for a wonderful otherworldly experience.
On a cautionary note, men and women in their childbearing years will need to be careful not to conceive a child while in space since it may be dangerous to the mother and baby. Based on animal experiments, we know that fetal development is affected in space. Bones, muscles (including the heart), and neurology, will simply not develop properly without Earth gravity. We also know that human hormones and even sperm motility are affected by the lack of gravity. Radiation is a serous problem too, even in Earth orbit where our magnetic field protects us somewhat.
As far as the practical difficulties, I have no doubt people, being the ingenious creatures they are, will figure out how to accomplish the deed. As Woodmansee points out, there may be serious, potentially dangerous, complications, however.
We simply need to know more. We need more research into conception and fetal development in animals, especially primates, before we can feel comfortable enough to conceive human space babies. NASA is drastically cutting back its biology programs to make more money available for Moon missions, so the money just isn't available. I'm afraid that the first experiment will be done unintentionally by space honeymooners, and with tragic results.
As far as the practical difficulties, I have no doubt people, being the ingenious creatures they are, will figure out how to accomplish the deed. As Woodmansee points out, there may be serious, potentially dangerous, complications, however.
As far as the practical difficulties, I have no doubt people, being the ingenious creatures they are, will figure out how to accomplish the deed. As Woodmansee points out, there may be serious, potentially dangerous, complications, however.
We simply need to know more. We need more research into conception and fetal development in animals, especially primates, before we can feel comfortable enough to conceive human space babies. NASA is drastically cutting back its biology programs to make more money available for Moon missions, so the money just isn't available. I'm afraid that the first experiment will be done unintentionally by space honeymooners, and with tragic results.
I don't think it's up to NASA to fund the experiments, but it might be a really good thing for, say, Virgin to do it. I imagine there will be plenty of volunteers.
One does wonder who the first couple in the 200 mile high club will be. Or already is.
