Step by Step of what happens to your body if you die in space

For as long as man has been able to venture into space, he has been preparing for the worst-case scenario - dying in space.

In the sixty or so years that space exploration has been possible, eighteen people have died in space due to in-flight accidents. Even when Neil Armstrong stepped foot on the moon in 1969, it wasn't a certain thing.

The Unthinkable Scenario

President Richard Nixon had an alternative script prepared paying tribute to the astronauts if their mission had ended tragically. In his biography, Nixon's speechwriter, William Safire, reflected on how they would communicate tragedy to the nation.

Safire wrote: "We knew disaster would not come in the form of a sudden explosion. It would mean the men would be stranded on the moon in communication with Mission Control as they slowly starved to death, or deliberately 'closed down communication,'—the euphemism for suicide."

This does raise the question - what does happen to your body if you die in space?

A Gruesome Fate

Not that dying is ever pleasant, but the process your body goes through in outer space is particularly gruesome.

Here's a scenario to give you an idea of how the body would shut down. Let's say you're an astronaut onboard the ISS (International Space Station), and your suit gets hit by a micro-meteorite which makes a hole.

Annoying? Yes. Most likely life-threatening? Also yes.

The hypothetical astronaut would have about 15 seconds before they lost consciousness. Before freezing, they would likely die from decompression or asphyxiation. This is because having their skin exposed to the vacuum of space would force the water in their blood and skin to vaporize.

A Grisly End

When this happens, the body would expand outwards like a balloon filling with air. Their lungs would collapse, and within 30 seconds, they would be paralyzed - though death seems much more likely in this case.

Death isn't likely aboard the ISS, mostly because the astronauts are already in tip-top shape by the time they leave Earth. But astronauts have previously died in horrific accidents, with the failed launch of the Space Shuttle Challenger in 1986 being particularly devastating.

The Unanswered Question

A minute after launch, the rocket broke apart, killing all seven of the crew members on board. What astronauts in space are meant to do with dead bodies whilst in space is a matter of debate among scientists.

Some have suggested that cannibalism may be appropriate in some cases, while others have pushed for the more palatable alternative of being kept in cold storage.

In conclusion, the idea of dying in space is a grim one, and the reality is even grimmer. While it's a scenario that astronauts train for, the hope is that it never becomes a reality. Space exploration is a marvel of human achievement, but it comes with risks that are unlike any other. 

FAQs

1. Has anyone ever died in space?

   Yes, there have been cases of astronauts dying in space due to in-flight accidents.

2. What happens if an astronaut dies on the International Space Station?

   The handling of a deceased astronaut on the ISS is a topic of debate among scientists, with various suggestions ranging from cannibalism to cold storage.

3. How likely is it for an astronaut to die in space today?

   Astronauts are extensively trained to minimize risks, so the likelihood of death in space is relatively low in modern space missions.

4. Can the vacuum of space instantly kill an astronaut?

   Yes, exposure to the vacuum of space can lead to rapid loss of consciousness and death due to decompression and asphyxiation.

5. What safety measures are in place to prevent deaths in space?

   Modern space missions are equipped with advanced safety protocols and technology to minimize the risks associated with space travel, including the risk of death.