Cinema has often portrayed astronauts meeting their demise when losing their space suits in the vacuum of space. However, these depictions are far from realistic. In reality, the consequences are quite different. While survival in the vacuum of space is impossible, the actual events unfold in a distinct manner.
The DG EYE Science team aimed to dispel the cinematic myths surrounding what occurs when an astronaut confronts the vacuum of space. To achieve this, they created a 3D simulation, now available on YouTube, which we’re sharing in this article. This simulation provides a glimpse into the genuine sequence of events when an astronaut finds themselves without the protection of their suit.
You neither explode nor stay as is
In cinema, we’ve encountered two prevalent theories regarding what happens when an astronaut loses their space suit, and both are quite dramatic. The first theory, the most sensational one, depicts the astronaut exploding when they lose their helmet, resulting in a catastrophic explosion of the body. While not exactly like this, a similar portrayal can be found in some films, and it’s also illustrated in the studio’s simulation.
Here’s the Actual Scenario
The scientific accuracy of the visual representation in the video below meticulously considers the consequences of being exposed to the vacuum of space. The initial reaction, as shown in the animation, involves the expansion of gases inside the body. Simultaneously, this causes a drastic reaction within the lung tissue, leading to its breakdown due to the inability to withstand the pressure caused by expanding gases. This process happens rapidly, similar to the quick evaporation of water outside the body. However, the reaction is different for the water inside the body; it begins to boil.
At this point, the astronaut is technically alive but not for long. The body starts to inflate due to the vacuum’s effects, leading to unconsciousness. Death eventually occurs due to suffocation, resulting from a subsequent cardiac arrest. But that’s not the end; the astronaut’s body takes on a distinctive gray color.
How long does this entire process take? Surprisingly, it happens quite swiftly, as confirmed by scientists. It takes a mere ten seconds for water to react to the vacuum of space, both inside and outside the body. In just five more seconds, lung tissues sustain damage, leading to immediate unconsciousness preceding death. Suffocation, which is how the astronaut meets their demise, occurs around the 30-second mark. Some experts even speculate that, instead of an immediate demise, complete paralysis could set in before death due to decompression.
This reality may sound dreadful and challenging to fathom. However, the next time we witness an astronaut’s fate in a film, left exposed to the vacuum of space after their suit is compromised, we’ll be better equipped to gauge the realism of the depiction.