How long can you breathe in space?

Space

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by Mya Kagan (whyzz writer) >> more about the author

One of the most special things about Earth is that it’s protected by the atmosphere, the layers of gasses (getting thinner and thinner higher up) that separate what’s on Earth from what’s in outer-space! The atmosphere provides us with many important things like livable climate, breathable air, and pressure that keeps all the fluids in our bodies temperate and balanced! Having this special atmosphere all around us is essential to life on Earth.

Once an astronaut is in outer-space, he or she is beyond the border of this special atmosphere and all of the important things it offers. Among the conditions that are missing up in space is breathable air. Without oxygen to breathe, an astronaut wouldn’t really be able to “breathe” for any significant amount of time in space and would lose consciousness after only about 15 seconds (or possibly even less). Because the environment in space is not suitable to humans, after losing consciousness a person without a spacesuit would not be able to survive more than a few minutes – the pressure conditions would cause fluids in the body to become too hot (boil).

Luckily, science and technology have allowed for the creation of the special spacesuits that astronauts wear. These spacesuits give the astronauts all of the things they need to survive in the conditions of outer-space, including oxygen to breathe, the correct pressure for their bodies, and the proper temperatures for their bodies (since space can be really hot and really cold!). Spacesuits usually even give the astronaut the ability to go to the bathroom while wearing the suits, since they can’t take off the suits to go to the bathroom otherwise!!

Spacing Out!

What do you think it would be like to travel into outer-space as an astronaut?? Would it be difficult and challenging to rely on oxygen tanks, or would it be hard to be so far away from your family? Even with these challenges, maybe it would also be really cool to see the Earth from out in space and to learn about and travel to such a unique, special place!