• Question: can astronauts burp in space? -i read a fact!

    Asked by jadepurple47 to Carla, Madgie, Nick, Vicky, Werner on 12 Nov 2013.
    • Photo: Vicky Forster

      Vicky Forster answered on 12 Nov 2013:

      Hello! I’ll admit, i had to look this up. It appears that astronauts can indeed burp in space, but it isn’t quite the same as it is down here on Earth…A burp is when gases escape from your digestive system, which is why sometimes they smell/taste funny if you have been eating something strongly flavoured! In space, as the astronauts are weightless – gravity does not hold the food down in the astronaut’s stomach as it would on Earth, and so the force of the burp actually can send up partially digested food or liquid. Hence burping in space sounds exactly the same as being sick…not very nice for the astronaut! You can read more here:

      http://www.spacecentre.co.uk/space-now/158-the-biggest-question-in-space

    • Photo: Werner Muller

      Werner Muller answered on 12 Nov 2013:

      Are astronauts in space? I think even when they are in space they are in a bubble to protect them. In this bubble astronauts are in zero gravity. If burping requires gravity then they can not burp in space. Can you ask an astronaut?

    • Photo: Carla Turner

      Carla Turner answered on 12 Nov 2013:

      wow, this question has taught me something, thanks Vicky

    • Photo: Nick Groves-Kirkby

      Nick Groves-Kirkby answered on 14 Nov 2013:

      Yes. I’ve learnt something too. Excellent space fact!

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