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NASA Puts A Stop To Space Romance

Posted by Zonk on from the heinlein-rolling-in-his-grave dept.

electro-donkey writes "According to a New Scientist article, romantic entanglements among astronauts could derail long-haul space trips. A top-level NASA panel has decided, though it could alleviate boredom, space sex could cause trouble too. On a mission to Mars, for example, which would take up to 30 months, sexual conflict or infidelity could lead to a 'breakdown in crew functioning'."

14 of 431 comments (clear)

  1. Geez... by ratnerstar · · Score: 5, Funny

    No space sex? Why the hell am I wasting my time at astronaut school, then?!

    --
    Just because you sold your soul to the devil that needn't make you a teetotaler. --The Devil and Daniel Webster
    1. Re:Geez... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      No space sex?

      TFA (yeah, I read it) doesn't say anything about banning space sex. That's something made up for the Slashdot headline.

      The first paragraph of the article sums it up pretty well "Sex and romantic entanglements among astronauts could derail missions to Mars and should therefore be studied by NASA, warns a top-level panel of US researchers."

      So a panel of researchers want to 'study' sex and romantic entaglements. Nice work if you can get it, but no 'ban' implied.

      First actually-read-the-article post.

    2. Re:Geez... by FCAdcock · · Score: 5, Insightful

      If that was true, we'd all be working in porn.

      --
      --Forest C. Adcock--
  2. Without sex for 30 months? by BottleCup · · Score: 5, Funny

    In a mission to Mars, for example, which would take up to 30 months, sexual conflict or infidelity could lead to a 'breakdown in crew functioning'.

    30 months??? Who the heck can function properly without sex for 30 months?

    1. Re:Without sex for 30 months? by FooGoo · · Score: 5, Funny

      As a married man...I can tell you it is possible although I wouldn't recommend it.

      --
      People who bite the hand that feeds them usually lick the boot that kicks them
  3. Employ Me by thedogcow · · Score: 5, Funny

    I am offering my services to NASA. As a true geek (obvious by reading Slashdot at 8:30Z) I would stick to the pure sciences of the mission and clearly state now that I not interested in sex by any means. Who needs sex when you have zero gravity anywho!

    --
    Yes! I listen to NYC Speedcore and do math at 3AM. I suggest you try it too.
  4. From TFA by putko · · Score: 5, Informative

    Fine to make such a well-considered policy -- but if the astronauts are like these brutes, they'll ignore the rules and revert to their natural behavior:

    "Sexual harassment may also endanger a mission. In an 8-month space station simulation on Earth in 2000, a Russian man twice tried to kiss a Canadian woman researcher just after two other Russians had gotten into a bloody brawl. As a result, locks were installed between the Russian and international crews' compartments."

    --
    http://www.thebricktestament.com/the_law/when_to_s tone_your_children/dt21_18a.html
  5. In space, ... by Mori+Chu · · Score: 5, Funny

    At least you'd have privacy for the moment of climax. In space, no one can hear you scream...

  6. Out-of-this-world sex? by Mori+Chu · · Score: 5, Funny
    Out-of-this-world sex could jeopardise missions
    What if the men promise to do a mediocre job of it instead?
  7. huge marketing opportunity by tcatt · · Score: 5, Funny
    Heck, NASA thinks they're so smart. If they we really thinking they would realize that a trip to mars with 8 crew members along with all the so-called 'infedelity' and 'intense relationships' is a perfect chance to corner the reality TV market!

    They'd be killing all their birds with one stone, for pete's sake. Huge media coverage, lucrative advertising sponsorships... man NASA would be overfunded and popular again for the first time since the 60's. C'mon NASA, give America what it really wants!

    They could call it "Pigs in Space" or wait.. yeah that one was taken. Too bad it's a classic.

    "Vote 'em off the shuttle!"

    --
    [I have no name!:/]# _
  8. Re:Easy one by Guppy06 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Just send a married couple, two gays, two lesbians, the Pope and Darl McBride on the mission."

    A mission to where, a bar?

  9. What is worse by atlep · · Score: 5, Interesting

    What is worse than 30 months without sex? 30 months in a small closed environment, where others have sex, but you don't get any.

    Man, that would get me frustrated beyond reason. And the realisation of this is why I understand why NASA is doing this.

    Actually, 30 months without sex, I think I could do it if I were on such a mission. Because I would be mentally prepared for this. I know the other crewmembers are not having sex either. And the sex fixation in our siciety would not be there on a daily basis. Of course, I would expect periods of frustration. But I don't think it would be a major problem.

    When there is no potential for sex, when there is no constant reminder of sex around you, it is much easier to live without it. But if others in your crew are having sex, and you don't get any. That would really make things difficult.

    Of course, drugs that temporary kill libido would be very welcome too.

  10. solution by labyrinth · · Score: 5, Funny
    I think NASA should adopt the Dr.Strangelove solution.

    General "Buck" Turgidson: Doctor, you mentioned the ratio of ten women to each man. Now, wouldn't that necessitate the abandonment of the so-called monogamous sexual relationship, I mean, as far as men were concerned?

    Dr. Strangelove: Regrettably, yes. But it is, you know, a sacrifice required for the future of the human race. I hasten to add that since each man will be required to do prodigious... service along these lines, the women will have to be selected for their sexual characteristics which will have to be of a highly stimulating nature. Ambassador de Sadesky: I must confess, you have an astonishingly good idea there, Doctor.

  11. Absolutely Brilliant! by MooseByte · · Score: 5, Funny

    "Sex and romantic entanglements among astronauts could derail missions to Mars and should therefore be studied by NASA, warns a top-level panel of US researchers."

    So in reality we've got a top-level panel of US researches who are tantalizingly close to achieving the ultimate Holy Grail - pursuing workplace sex, romantic entanglements and porn in the name of "research".

    Godspeed lads, godspeed.