Food - Drink
The Reason There's No Beer On A Space Station
By LISA CURRAN MATTE
Food and drink products engineered for space travel have come a long way over the course of decades, but one type of beverage is still banned on NASA space missions: alcohol.
Some astronauts may miss having a cold pint of ale, but beer is especially problematic on a space station. First of all, in zero gravity, the carbonation in beer goes totally flat.
NASA explains that "The bubbles of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages aren't buoyant in a weightless environment, so they remain randomly distributed throughout the fluid."
"This means that carbonated beverages, including soft drinks and beer, may become a foamy mess during space travel," the organization concludes.
Additionally, in a zero-gravity environment, bubbles of carbon dioxide build up pressure in the drinker's abdomen until they produce an unpleasant, acid reflux-like “wet burp.”
NASA researchers are currently experimenting with ways to allow passengers to consume beer, other adult beverages, and perhaps other carbonated beverages in space.
Researchers have already developed a microgravity dispenser that could enable astronauts to consume beer at an altitude of 200 miles, but for now, the alcohol ban is here to stay.
If someday NASA lifts the ban, consuming beer in space will likely be reserved for space tourists, not pilots or crew — at least, they'll have to remain dry while on duty.
