New York Times: We Need More Sex in Space
The Physics and Physiology of Space Romance
The rockets stand tall, thrusters fully fueled, as the moon beckons with her arms wide open, almost pleading for a space probe. “They say no one can hear you scream in space, but let’s find out” he whispered.
Elon Musk and Jeff Bezos have all the space toys, yet according to an opinion piece in The New York Times, the need for more sex in space remains unfulfilled.
In a half-serious discussion, the article titled “Space Billionaires Should Spend More Time Thinking About Sex,” the paper ventures where no major newspaper has before. It posits that if we are to colonize the cosmos, we need a more rigorous study of sex and reproduction off-Earth.
The mechanics of joining the 1,000-mile-high club are indeed daunting. “Weightlessness is ideal for physics problems but not for intercourse…” The article notes that a couple would simply fly apart in an equal and opposite reaction. In space, traditional notions of “top” and “bottom” lose their meaning.
The article suggests some solutions: Velcro to keep the eager couple together, an “unchastity belt,” or perhaps a “2suit.”
The Times piece points out that while space travel has become more routine and affordable, with companies like SpaceX aiming to establish settlements on Mars, there is a significant gap in our understanding of human reproduction in space. It cites the physical challenges of sex in zero gravity and the potential dangers of childbirth and development in space.
It underscores the lack of data on human reproduction in low-gravity conditions, highlighting the potential risks to both mothers and children. With the longest human space missions leading to bone and muscle loss, the effects on a developing fetus or a child born in space are concerning.
There are ethical considerations as well, given the high probability of disabled children being born in space or in a Martian colony. The authors argue that without substantial research and ethical contemplation, the dream of colonizing other planets could become a nightmare.
With the potential for Earthly political battles to extend into space, the article references discussions within the scientific community about the need for a “liberal pro-abortion policy” on Mars.
Despite the challenges, the article acknowledges there are plenty of reasons to want to leave the planet: “There’s no political corruption on Mars, no war on the moon, no juvenile jokes on Uranus.”
