9
$\begingroup$

I will grant that launching a can of soda pop, or beer into space would be very expensive. Alternately it is not unreasonable to make it in the space station, carbonated drink makers are easily available Earth side for under $100 (US).

Assuming you have your cold carbonated drink, and are floating in the ISS or a commercial space station/craft, would you be able to enjoy it?

Not enjoy =

  • without gravity the carbonation boils of explosively
  • without gravity peristalsis is not sufficient to move the carbonated drink to your stomach and keep it there
  • for some reason it is not possible to cool drinks in space and you can only have luke warm beverages
  • something else unpleasant I have not thought of

Related How do astronauts drink or eat in space?

|improve this question
$\endgroup$
  • 3
    $\begingroup$ It's been tried! See en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cola_wars and my answer to this question space.stackexchange.com/questions/10350/… Ancedotal evidence says the drinks were unpleasant. $\endgroup$ – Organic Marble Mar 22 '17 at 15:57
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I read the post flight mission reports for STS-63 and -77, the space coke machine flights. Neither even mentioned them :( $\endgroup$ – Organic Marble Mar 22 '17 at 21:39
  • 5
    $\begingroup$ Remember, you can't burp in zero-g. The only way the carbonation is coming out is by the rear end and I don't think the process of getting there is going to be too enjoyable. $\endgroup$ – Loren Pechtel Mar 24 '17 at 2:44
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Burping in zero-g should be possible too. But the separation of gases and liquids within the stomach like on earth would not work. There is the risk of inhaling liquid drops from the stomach into the lungs which is dangerous for lungs tissue because of the acid from the stomach. Exhaling liquid drops is dangerous for the hardware of the space station. But carbon dioxide from the drink could be transported by blood circulation and exhaled just like carbon dioxide from the bodies metabolism. $\endgroup$ – Uwe Mar 24 '17 at 16:33
  • 1
    $\begingroup$ Related question posted Spinning in space to manage gas? $\endgroup$ – James Jenkins Mar 24 '17 at 16:36
3
$\begingroup$

According to Sunita Williams, Robert Frost, Chris Hadfield, and backed up by NASA's website, besides it being fluffy & gross, it would make you burp, which is "kind of like acid reflux". I conclude this would be unpleasant.

|improve this answer
$\endgroup$

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service, privacy policy and cookie policy

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.