02. Can we detect odors or smells in space? If so, are they fresh, stale, or unlike anything on Earth? What should we anticipate? (A K2S Question)
From The Space Library
In space, there are no windows to roll down once you encounter an offensive odor! All the critical testing must be done on the ground to prevent any contamination of the breathable air supply on board a spacecraft like the Space Shuttle or International Space Station (ISS). Think about how unbearable even something like a new car smell can become if your car has been parked in the Sun and heated to 120° F before you open the door. Now realize that the ISS and Space Shuttle go through a complete day and night heat cycle every 90 minutes in space. Fabrics, inks, certain foods, plastics and clothing can give off odors that can become very offensive within confined air spaces. All items leaving for use on board the Shuttle or ISS must pass strict toxic and odor testing before approved for launch. Astronauts and cosmonauts who remain on board the ISS for extended periods of time say that there are very few smells or odors in their space habitat because of all this pre-launch testing. Unfortunately, due to the quick moving air on the ISS, even the slight odor that food offers tends to go away very quickly once the meal packages are opened. This is why crews look forward to the arrival of a Progress resupply spacecraft which, with its assortment of fresh fruits and foods, always brings the inviting good smells of home when it docks to the Station!
Answer provided by James Zebrowski
Question and Answer extracted from the book Kids to Space - by Lonnie Schorer
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