14 Items Astronauts Are Banned From Taking to Space

Whenever you think of space travel, you think of astronauts floating in zero gravity, looking up at the endless receding universe. Indeed, a web of protocols ensures every mission is safe and successful.

However, space agencies like NASA still regulate what astronauts can bring aboard and what they can or can’t do there, often dictated by the extreme risk involved in doing things in space. Here are 14 things astronauts aren’t allowed to carry.

Alcohol

NASA Johnson Space Center Spokesman Daniel G. Huot said, ‘There is no alcohol allowed on the International Space Station.’ Alcohol and other volatile compounds are controlled on the ISS because they affect the station’s water recovery system.

Glass Containers

They are easily broken in microgravity, so they are prohibited from being used. Astronauts don’t want broken glass that could be lethal or damage delicate equipment.

You can’t bring glass on board because there’s too much of a risk of floating shards.

Loose Items (Coins, Paper Clips)

On one hand, things like coins and paper clips might not sound like hazardous projectiles, but in space, they are.

Because these particles are so small and free-floating, they can damage delicate instruments or even hurt crew members.

Non-FDA Approved Medication

Medications only proven by stable compositions under microgravity conditions can be taken. FDA states that non-FDA-approved medicines, unlike FDA-approved medication, might not respond as expected, can fail in their efficacy and safety, and may become a threat to astronauts’ lives because they use them for medical purposes.

Flammable Materials

Banning flammable materials helps prevent possible hazards. Traditional firefighting techniques will not work in space, so anything that could ignite must be wiped out.

Fresh Bread

Bread is a staple in Life on Earth, but it’s not allowed in space because crumbs like to escape and get up your nose. These crumbs can also lead to problems with instruments that get stuck and ventilated systems that can’t be cleaned as cleanly as usual in a microgravity environment.

The Little Medical School notes that fresh bread lacks structure, has a short shelf life, and can produce dangerous crumbs.

Sand or Dirt

Sterile materials that do not contaminate air filter systems or sensitive equipment are the only things allowed to enter a spacecraft. Contamination may compromise environmental controls and critical spacecraft systems needed for astronaut safety.

Perfumes and Aerosol Sprays

Aerosols can damage sensitive instruments or cause poor air quality inside a spacecraft’s confinement quarters. All perfumes and aerosol sprays are banned on set to prevent any possible harm.

Foods Requiring Refrigeration

Refrigerators are not recommended for keeping perishable foods fresh in space because astronauts are prohibited from eating foods that spoil quickly and pose health risks.

Personal Pets

It’s cute to think about taking a beloved pet to space, but it’s impractical. Hygiene, limited resources, and the demands of specialized care prevent animals from being able to go on space missions.

Large print Books and Heavy Reading Material

Large books tend to be impractical because they don’t fit in a small amount of storage and are too heavy to carry to space.

Simply put, this is to make the most of the available space for the equipment and supplies instead of filling it with large, bulky books.

Firearms or Weapons

They have been excluded from any mission because they would pose an unacceptable danger of accidental discharge or damage to the spaceship.

Recreational Drugs

Space is dangerous because of its precision and clarity. In space missions, all recreational drugs are banned to make sure they do not prevent astronauts from performing safely.

Expensive Jewelry or Luxury Items

If you travel around, jewelry quickly becomes lost or damaged. If it floats into sensitive equipment with no gravity, the jewelry may damage some essential items in the spaceship. Such items are prohibited.

Disclaimer – This list is solely the author’s opinion based on research and publicly available information.

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