Some questions about space flight:
Q: How do astronauts go to the bathroom?
A: The shuttle's space-age toilet is located on the left rear corner of the mid-deck. The seat is contoured more than a typical toilet to help create a seal when a person sits. Once seated, a valve opens much like an airline toilet, but since there is no gravity, an airstream is used to blow wastes where they belong. Men urinate into a funnel device equipped with a vacuum pump. Women use a different device. As for privacy in such close quarters, the toilet area comes with a curtain.
Q: Do astronauts take showers in space?
A: No. Carrying that much water would be wasteful. Instead, they clean key areas with waterless soap and damp wipes.
Q: There have been numerous co-ed flights for the space shuttle. A few flights even carried married couples. So, has there been any sex in space?
A: NASA has certainly tested breeding lesser animals in space, but there have been no official human sex experiments. As for extracurricular activities, there really isn't much privacy. "My hunch is there hasn't been any sex in space," said former astronaut Roger Crouch.
Do you have questions about the Discovery mission? The Enquirer will answer selected questions during its flight coverage.
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