Slashdot Mirror

← Back to Stories (view on slashdot.org)

The Smell of Space

Posted by samzenpus on from the excuse-me-while-I-smell-the-sky dept.

According to NASA scientists, space smells a lot like my uncle's workshop. One can detect hints of fried steak, hot metal, and the welding of a motorbike. They have hired Steven Pearce, a chemist and managing director of fragrance manufacturing company Omega Ingredients, to recreate the smell in a laboratory. NASA will use his research to help train potential astronauts. Steven said, "I did some work for an art exhibition in July, which was based entirely on smell, and one of the things I created was the smell of the inside of the Mir space station. NASA heard about it and contacted me to see if I could help them recreate the smell of space to help their astronauts."

70 comments

  1. How do you smell space? by snowraver1 · · Score: 1

    I don't get it. If there is no air, how does space have a smell?

    --
    Copyright 2010. All rights reserved. This comment may not be copied in any way including, but not limited to caching.
    1. Re:How do you smell space? by Killer+Orca · · Score: 0

      I can't wait for that name change to Urectum to end that joke once and for all.

    2. Re:How do you smell space? by Tim+Little · · Score: 1

      As I have understood it, they're going to recreate what astronauts smell while in space, in other words, the inside of the shuttle and space suits, not space itself.

    3. Re:How do you smell space? by rhartness · · Score: 2, Informative

      Wow, guys. You didn't even need to read the article-- the summary states that this is the smell of the MIR space station.

    4. Re:How do you smell space? by retchdog · · Score: 3, Interesting

      It has a smell likely because we perceive sensations by association, in a relative manner. It's a cute (though somewhat frivolous) trick to simulate this association by engineering.

      If you've ever been in an acoustically-isolated chamber, the silence is so overwhelming that it almost has its own sound. We're just not used to such near-perfect silence, so we try to interpret the novelty as a sound.

      Similarly, if you put near-pure (95%) alcohol on your tongue, it will feel greasy because it is so dry that it dehydrates your tongue. The absence of water feels greasy.

      --
      "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
    5. Re:How do you smell space? by Fallen+Kell · · Score: 1

      It is from all the space dust that gets into the ships/station(s) by the air locks as well as carried in from suits/objects that are worn or used in space. That is how you smell space.

      --
      We were all warned a long time ago that MS products sucked, remember the Magic 8 Ball said, "Outlook not so good"
    6. Re:How do you smell space? by Fox_1 · · Score: 4, Interesting

      You can smell underwater , well not you per se- there's a creature - a shrew or vole I think, or maybe muskrat. Anyways there is a Rat like creature that when underwater blows a small bubble of air out it's nose and then sucks it back (kinda the inverse of the spit/snot drop we've all done as kids). This allows it to smell the water and the scent of things in the water. It can actually track underwater by smell.

      I think this story is referring to the locker room smell of human habitats in space, not actually the smell of space. But there are chemicals in space - it's not actually nothing nothing nothing and then planets and sun. In theory one could put atmosphere into a sample of 'vacuum' and try to sniff anything that volatilizes. But concentrations of matter are so low in space that it still seems kinda implausible.

      So my point is, I don't know how to smell space, but I didn't know how smell underwater either until I watched the discovery channel.

      --
      The rock, the vulture, and the chain
    7. Re:How do you smell space? by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 1

      That is not space that you are smelling . . . it is what your fellow astronauts had to eat yesterday . . . digested.

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    8. Re:How do you smell space? by Bob-taro · · Score: 3, Informative

      Wow, guys. You didn't even need to read the article-

      Actually, if you DO read the article (the one linked from the older slashdot post), you'll see that the airlock operator noticed the smell on the spacesuits of his fellow astronauts after each spacewalk.

      --
      Prov 9:8 Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
    9. Re:How do you smell space? by pipingguy · · Score: 1

      kinda the inverse of the spit/snot drop we've all done as kids

      How to make fake snot

    10. Re:How do you smell space? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Everyone that has tried to smell space has exploded so far since you have to take off your helmet in the vacuum of space to smell it.

    11. Re:How do you smell space? by Knuckles · · Score: 3, Interesting

      If you've ever been in an acoustically-isolated chamber, the silence is so overwhelming that it almost has its own sound. We're just not used to such near-perfect silence, so we try to interpret the novelty as a sound.

      I thought what you hear is the sound of yourself? You know, blood streaming and stuff. Ah, right, here we go.

      --
      "When I first heard Daydream Nation it quite frankly scared the living shit out of me." -- Matthew Stearns
    12. Re:How do you smell space? by rugatero · · Score: 1

      ...the inside of the shuttle and space suits...

      I really don't want to know what the inside of the space suit smells like.

      --
      This comment is for entertainment purposes only. Any similarity to real insight or information is purely coincidental.
    13. Re:How do you smell space? by retchdog · · Score: 1

      Good call. I was thinking of the immediate impression I got, the "blanket of silence" which he felt as a weight. Shortly afterward you start hearing your biology.

      --
      "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
    14. Re:How do you smell space? by hesaigo999ca · · Score: 1

      Must have been all that bad BO

    15. Re:How do you smell space? by Victor_0x53h · · Score: 2, Informative

      Correct. The story was posted before on the main page. http://science.slashdot.org/science/08/02/13/1418216.shtml

    16. Re:How do you smell space? by pz · · Score: 1

      It is from all the space dust that gets into the ships/station(s) by the air locks as well as carried in from suits/objects that are worn or used in space. That is how you smell space.

      Also don't forget that any object that's brought outside of a spacecraft (like a spacesuit) is exposed to lots of ionizing radiation. When the object is brought back inside and the volatiles created on its surface allowed to mix with the internal atmosphere to create an odor, I can imagine there might be a characteristic smell.

      --

      Put my fist through my alarm clock with its ding-dong death inside my ear. - The Blackjacks.
    17. Re:How do you smell space? by Knuckles · · Score: 1

      Interesting, and the guy in the article seems to talk about the same experience. Consider yourself envied.

      --
      "When I first heard Daydream Nation it quite frankly scared the living shit out of me." -- Matthew Stearns
    18. Re:How do you smell space? by sonnejw0 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Actually, astronauts have reported after spacewalks that their space suits collect a semi-metallic, sweet smell to them after they return to the shuttle/vehicle. Of course, depending upon the nature of the spacewalk, this could have been a collection of fine particles from welding and repairing a satellite, or exhaust that collected to the exterior of the shuttle during launch. Here's a link to NASA.gov with an astronaut's recounting of smelling 'space residue' http://spaceflight.nasa.gov/station/crew/exp6/spacechronicles4.html

    19. Re:How do you smell space? by Fluffeh · · Score: 1

      Training Plan:

      Day One: This is Roger's aroma. Note the hint of slight mildew. Roger has foot fungus.
      Day Two: Ahhh, now this is distinct. You will note the spicey waft. Srini is a big fan of a good curry.
      Day Three: This should be a breeze now, Natalie is a total sports fanatic. Actually, you could probably smell her from the OUTSIDE of the ship. Day Four: .....

      --
      Moved to http://soylentnews.org/. You are invited to join us too!
    20. Re:How do you smell space? by olclops · · Score: 1

      I've read about this before, and I forget the details, but yeah, it's not actually space proper. It's really the smell of the space station. Something about the ionization of the metal walls when exposed to radiation, and there's no atmosphere to dissipate the charge into. Or something.

    21. Re:How do you smell space? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      With a smelloscope, of course!!!

    22. Re:How do you smell space? by theprophetofmephisto · · Score: 1

      generally, i was under the impression that the smell you smelled was ozone.

      --
      composition | performance | education | music
    23. Re:How do you smell space? by Trogre · · Score: 1

      That, my friend, would be the sweet sound of tinnitus.

      --
      "Nine times out of ten, starting a fire is not the best way to solve the problem." - my wife
    24. Re:How do you smell space? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      This is slashdot. Nobody reads the article. They produce pro-linux knee jerk reactions to whatever flammatory summary is available.

    25. Re:How do you smell space? by retchdog · · Score: 1

      Maybe. It sounded different to me.

      --
      "They were pure niggers." – Noam Chomsky
  2. A smell, sure... by FauxPasIII · · Score: 3, Funny

    But does it has a flavor?

    --
    25% Funny, 25% Insightful, 25% Informative, 25% Troll
    1. Re:A smell, sure... by Miladinoski · · Score: 1

      But does it has a flavor?

      Go ahead and try.

      --
      [insert lame sig here]
    2. Re:A smell, sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      http://www.pbfcomics.com/?cid=PBF022-Space_Helmet.jpg

    3. Re:A smell, sure... by Fluffeh · · Score: 1

      Hmmm, that's one thing I don't want to lick to find out.

      --
      Moved to http://soylentnews.org/. You are invited to join us too!
    4. Re:A smell, sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But does it has a flavor?

      That's easy. The space air, it tastes like schnozberries.

    5. Re:A smell, sure... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      But does it has a flavor?

      Apparently so... www.spacefoodsticks.com

  3. Potential Training by Van+Cutter+Romney · · Score: 3, Funny

    NASA will use his research to help train potential astronauts.

    It's okay Richard, just try opening the helmet for few seconds.

    --
    Help a man when he is in trouble and he will remember you when he is in trouble again.
  4. Just PR by Framboise · · Score: 1

    Such news are made for improving PR but make no real sense for practical space activities. While a space station air certainly smells something, space gas is so dilute that no smelling may be perceived.

    It is a bit like the sound or temperature of space, sometimes described for similar purposes. These cannot be perceived directly by normal people.

    1. Re:Just PR by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Informative

      Actually, you're pretty ignorant. I fly for a living; and smells have saved my life. Knowing what "normal" smells like lets you recognize and analyze abnormal smells. Is that smell burning hydraulic fluid or misting hydraulic fluid? The difference is important, when you decide what to do about a hydraulic leak. (e.g. Do you turn off bleed air and pressurization and electrics because it's a fire, or do you isolate hydraulic systems so that you only loose one when the system fails completely). In other words, it's not a PR stunt, it's worthwhile training.

    2. Re:Just PR by iteyoidar · · Score: 2, Informative

      Too bad I just ran out of mod points. This would be my best guess as to why they're trying to recreate space smells. Particularly onboard the ISS, it's a really big deal if something inside the station ends up leaking or burning. And if you're operating something critical like an airlock and you start smelling something funny, that's definitely something to worry about. Here's an article from a couple years ago where the crew smelled something strange and ended up shutting down the entire ventilation system until they identified the odor: http://www.space-travel.com/reports/ISS_Goes_Into_Emergency_Mode_After_Chemical_Leak_999.html

    3. Re:Just PR by Sun.Jedi · · Score: 1

      >These cannot be perceived directly by normal people.

      So, kind of like tang. I see a theme here.

    4. Re:Just PR by Anachragnome · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Bingo.

      Could you imagine if humans lost the ability to smell smoke? A hell of a lot more of us(no pun intended) would burn to death in fires were it not for our ability to do so.

      NASA simply realizes the importance of smell in many aspects, from diagnosis of a problem to the signaling of humans that a problem exists in the first place.

      Astronaut A reenters the shuttle. Astronaut B smells something OTHER then the smell of space on the suit of astronaut A as he reenters. At this point it can be assumed it is time to take a closer look at the situation.

      The point is that knowing what space smells like establishes a scent baseline allowing for better analysis of the situation.

    5. Re:Just PR by PolygamousRanchKid+ · · Score: 2, Interesting

      Well, thanks to you, at least I'm not ignorant anymore. Actually, this makes a lot of sense to me, now. I take a train to work every day. Sometimes, when the engineer has to brake real hard, the breaks give off that familiar "burning your brakes" smell. One time I mentioned it to the conductor, when he was checking my ticket. He quipped:

      Oh, that's nothing . . . a total brake failure smells entirely different. And you would notice it immediately . . . because I would not be checking tickets!"

      --
      Schroedinger's Brexit: The UK is both in and out of the EU at the same time!
    6. Re:Just PR by IMightB · · Score: 1

      Wouldn't the pressure differential guarantee that the *smell* stays outside? I mean it's not like space is going to "leak in" to the ISS, rather the ISS smell is going to go into space.

    7. Re:Just PR by Framboise · · Score: 2, Informative

      Perhaps you didn't understand the same but the article doesn't say that they try to recreate the smelll within a spacecraft, but the smell of *space*.
      Interplanetary or interstellar space is not empty but contains gas and dust particles. This medium is extraordinary dilute (typically 1-10^5 atoms/cm^3 and 99% of this is made of odorless hydrogen and helium). Despite this low concentration, accumulated over light-years this medium adds up to and makes structures like nebulae and dark clouds seen on telescopic pictures.
      As I understand, the article describes the effort to recreate the smell of this dilute space stuff. In reality astronauts will never be able to smell it because the concentration is way too low. In comparison the air we breath contains about 10^20 molecules/cm^3.

    8. Re:Just PR by Dr.Pete · · Score: 1

      Indeed. Around the lab, you smell things too. Does the air smell acrid? The house air is out and the floating tables have gone down. Does the air smell faintly rotten? There's vegetation in the laser cooling systems. Does the air smell like ozone? There's probably a short in the high voltage supply for the laser diodes. Burning cardboard? Some idiot has misaligned their laser and is burning a hole in their beam blocks. In complete agreement, people should never underestimate the power of smell, for ussing people, the surroundings or a mechanical/technological system.

  5. It smells just like... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    Uranus.

  6. The thing's hollow--it goes on forever--and by cynical+kane · · Score: 2, Funny

    it's full of smells!

  7. In space... by anomnomnomymous · · Score: 2, Funny

    In space no one can hear you fart.


    Wtf, so they're able to smell it now?!

    --
    When you shoot a mime, do you use a silencer?
  8. Hmmmmm by Cap'nPedro · · Score: 2, Interesting

    That's odd.... the things described as being space seem to smell exactly like Ozone.

    How odd.

  9. worst grade ever by utopiandelusion · · Score: 2, Funny

    I give it an A minus....minus! - prof. wernstrom

    1. Re:worst grade ever by geekoid · · Score: 1

      WoormStrom!

      --
      The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
  10. Ob. Quote by geekoid · · Score: 5, Funny

    Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Exactly. And now, Saturn.
    Fry: Pine needles. Oh, man, this is great... hey, as long as you don't make me smell Uranus.
    Leela: I don't get it.
    Professor Hubert Farnsworth: I'm sorry, Fry, but astronomers renamed Uranus in 2620 to end that stupid joke once and for all.
    Fry: Oh. What's it called now?
    Professor Hubert Farnsworth: Urrectum. Here, let me locate it for you.
    Fry: No, no, I, I think I'll just smell around a bit over here.

    --
    The Kruger Dunning explains most post on /. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dunning%E2%80%93Kruger_effect
    1. Re:Ob. Quote by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      What's sad is that the original name for the state of Washington was going to be Columbia, but they thought that would be too confusing with the District of Columbia, so they picked a different name.

  11. Space BO! by Kepesk · · Score: 1

    So they want to recreate the smell of the international space station, a place where people work 12 hour days for 6 months on end with no showering facilities. Three guesses as to what that smells like, but you'll only need one.

    --
    Help me fix my brother's injured butt!
    1. Re:Space BO! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Umm they do have showers on the ISS. It's the orbiter that doesn't have a shower, but they only have to go for 1-2 weeks or so.

    2. Re:Space BO! by John+Hasler · · Score: 1

      Backed up toilet?

      --
      Warning: this article may contain humor, sarcasm, parody, and perhaps even irony. Read at your own risk.
  12. smelloscope by Verdatum · · Score: 1

    wow, 20 comments, and not one of them a reference to Professor Hubert J. Farnsworth's Smelloscope? I'm impressed with everyone restraining their geekdom.

  13. Just as long by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

    as you don't make me smell Uranus!

  14. I Made a Shirt About This by pete-classic · · Score: 2, Funny

    Back in February

    -Peter

  15. You're confusing space with the Moon by SleptThroughClass · · Score: 1

    I think you're confused between the smell of the ISS (workshop) with the smell of lunar dust (gunpower).

  16. No one can hear you scream, but... by elrous0 · · Score: 1

    Well, if in space no one can hear you scream when the alien attacks, at least they can tell that you've shit your pants.

    --
    SJW: Someone who has run out of real oppression, and has to fake it.
  17. Re:We need idle ? why? by Yvan256 · · Score: 1

    Still better than Urectum.

  18. DUPE by shentino · · Score: 1

    already posted a loong time ago

    1. Re:DUPE by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 0

      Whew! Thank god you told us. Don't know what I would have done without such an informative post.

  19. Mir?!?! Gross!!!! by jkinney3 · · Score: 1

    From what I've read, Mir is NOT something I want to smell. Several sweaty guys, cabbage, beans and no good way to deodorize the place. Yuck!

  20. ozone? by SkyMunky · · Score: 1

    I am reminded of smells I used to experience when doing juvenile experiments with high voltage...could it be the smell of ozone?

    1. Re:ozone? by Revenger75 · · Score: 0

      If it is, NASA could just put their astronauts in a room with a Sharper Image 'Ionic Breeze' air purifier.

  21. In Space, No One Can Hear You Fart by bugeaterr · · Score: 1

    And whoever smelt it, is probably undergoing explosive decompression.

  22. Re:We need idle ? why? by Barryke · · Score: 1

    I love slashdot.

    --
    Hivemind harvest in progress..
  23. Possible Explanation by cychem1 · · Score: 1

    Just a theory but the space suit probably smells that way because is it was bombard by cosmic rays, as well as all other particles interacting with the suit while EVA.