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NASA Tackles Ethics of Deep-Space Exploration

Posted by kdawson on from the triage-a-long-way-from-home dept.

TheTony writes "With long-term projects like manned Mars exploration on the horizon, NASA has begun discussing previously taboo subjects. Ethical and practical questions involving illness, death, genetic profiling, and astronaut relations and behavior in space need to be addressed, as NASA begins to consider new policies with these extended missions in mind." From the article: "One topic that is evidently too hot to handle: How do you cope with sexual desire among healthy young men and women during a mission years long?"

10 of 456 comments (clear)

  1. Re:Easy by Hennell · · Score: 5, Informative

    Whilst that might solve that problem, it creates a whole lot more. This article details some of the complications that the physics of zero gravity might bring.
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    My habit of ending sentences with prepositions is over.
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  2. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Potassium_nitrate by weierstrass · · Score: 3, Informative

    A popular misconception is that potassium nitrate is an anaphrodisiac and was added to food in all-male institutions. In fact, potassium nitrate has no such effect in humans.

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    my password really is 'stinkypants'
  3. Re:Obligatory by Dan+East · · Score: 2, Informative

    You're probably being being facetious, but I'll be a stick in the mud anyway: that's an urban legend.

    Dan East

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    Better known as 318230.
  4. We'll find out in a few years. by Chemisor · · Score: 2, Informative

    Some are trying to find out.

  5. Re:No sex please... by asninn · · Score: 2, Informative

    That only worked, because there weren't many females in close proximity. If you interact with them daily, no chemical will help much.

    Not *all* humans are heterosexual men, thankyouverymuch...

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    butter the donkey
  6. Re:No sex please... by Architect_sasyr · · Score: 1, Informative

    No some of them are heterosexual women... and some are homosexual women... and if you get REALLY lucky you might find yourself some bi-sexual women.

    Between them and the heterosexual men, we've covered the entire human race ;)

    -1 Flamebait here I come...

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    Me failed English...
    FreeBSD over Linux. If my comments seem odd, this may explain...
  7. Re:No sex please... by Terminal+Saint · · Score: 2, Informative

    Actually, my understanding is that the old "they're putting stuff in the food so I can't get it up" myth is a result of stress. It's not at all uncommon that a soldier in basic or combat to be so physically and emotionally stressed that they are unable to preform. This is quite normal, however, the male ego refuses to believe this, so it clearly must be the result of outside interference, like the REMFs putting something in the food.

    And a quick search shows my memory serves me: http://www.snopes.com/military/saltpetr.htm

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    It's sad when choosing an installation directory on your own qualifies you as an "advanced user."
  8. What about radio lag? by KTorak · · Score: 2, Informative

    If any complications do occur, there will be a half hour lag between questions and answers between mission control and the crew. That definitely posses problems in an emergency, especially a time critical one such as a pregnancy, heart attack, etc.

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    Kyle
  9. Re:Easy by Fex303 · · Score: 2, Informative

    ...and probably two dozen other problems I cannot think about.
    Zero G diaper changes spring to mind...
  10. Re:Make regular sex mandatory, like exercise by Akaihiryuu · · Score: 2, Informative

    I think you missed the joke entirely. It was a movie quote:

    http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057012/