What Happens if an Astronaut Removes His Helmet?


The universe is one of the most extreme environments. Life outside the Earth’s atmosphere is impossible without additional protection. Even in the Earth’s atmosphere, we can sometimes feel how different the conditions are when we are at a higher point. When we fly in an airplane we feel a strong pressure in our ears, but our body is protected in the cabin. Likewise, people who climb Mount Everest carry oxygen with them so they can breathe. Imagine then what it would be like to breathe in space. Is it even possible? What would happen if an astronaut removes his helmet? 

When the astronaut removes his helmet, the vacuum would pull all the air out of the astronaut’s body and he would be completely out of the air in just a few seconds. In 15 seconds the oxygen from the bloodstream would completely disappear. In a maximum of 45 seconds, the astronaut would faint, and in about one or two minutes the astronaut would die a very painful death. 

We know that oxygen is necessary for humans. The higher we climb, the less oxygen there is in the air. Even planes don’t fly too high because they need oxygen to burn the fuel that drives their engines. Already with the Karaman Line, the line that separates the Earth’s atmosphere from outer space, the air is much rarer than on Earth. More precisely 1/2 000 000 times rarer. But in space, the air is not just less dense. The universe is a vacuum, that is, an empty space without any matter, without air. Therefore, the astronaut would have no chance without a helmet.

What would happen if an astronaut removes his helmet in space?

Astronauts have many years of training that prepares them for going into space, and especially for spacewalking. The conditions in space are completely different from those on Earth, so the astronaut learns how to move in a weightless state, how to use the equipment, and what he can and can’t do. The astronaut helmet serves as a pressure bubble that keeps the pressure of the suit contained. It houses a ventilation system that supplies the astronaut with oxygen. Every astronaut knows that he must never take off his helmet while he is in space. He knows what awaits him.

But there is a possibility of a mechanical failure and that the astronaut accidentally runs out of a helmet.

If the helmet opens or the astronaut removes it, the astronaut would be exposed to temperatures ranging from -272 degrees to very high temperatures the closer he is to the Sun. Astronauts, however, avoid the sun and most often visit very cold parts of the universe.

Whether cold or warm, the vacuum would draw all the oxygen out of the astronaut when the helmet is removed. Forcing all of the oxygen out of the astronaut’s body would be terribly painful. The body would not immediately register if you run out of oxygen so your heart would continue to pump blood, but any attempt to inhale would be extremely painful. In just 15 seconds, the last atom of oxygen from the astronaut’s bloodstream would be depleted and he would most likely faint. Remaining unconscious in such circumstances would be a great relief because every second without oxygen would be real torture. In less than a minute, the astronaut would have died a very painful death.

No matter how hard you try to keep the air inside you, all the air would come out on your nose in a few seconds. Just 30 to 180 seconds without oxygen can lead to serious brain damage and thus to the death of brain cells. If a person is without oxygen for a long time, even if the brain cells survive, brain damage is inevitable.

Removing the helmet would leave permanent ear damage and the lack of oxygen would damage many organs. Also, if the astronaut is in a very cold part of the universe, the astronaut would start to freeze. While low pressure would lead to the boiling of his blood, saliva and in the end organs. 

Dying without a helmet would be so painful because the astronaut would suffer all over his body, not just in the area where the helmet used to stand. Death would be quick but painful, and in just a few minutes it would be over for the astronaut.


Where is it safe to remove a helmet for an astronaut?

To be able to breathe normally we need some pressure. However, the pressure must not be too strong so as not to damage our lungs and heart. The pressure must not be too weak, because then the air could not stay in our lungs and we would suffocate. Also, it is necessary to choose the appropriate temperature so that they can breathe normally. Oh, and of course, to take off your helmet, there must be enough oxygen in that area. Now you just need to find places where that is possible. 

The helmet is of course safe to take off on Earth where you are surrounded by an abundance of oxygen and the temperature and pressure suit you. But as you go higher and higher in the Earth’s atmosphere you will feel that it is getting harder to breathe. Gases accumulate on the Earth’s surface so it is much easier to breathe on the Earth’s surface itself. The higher you go, the less gas there is and the air is thinner so your lungs don’t get enough oxygen. 

On the first flights into space, the astronauts left space suits on during the mission. As early as the time of the Apollo program, astronauts began taking off their spacesuits during their stay in the space shuttle. The astronaut can safely take off his helmet as well as the rest of the spacesuit when he returns to the space shuttle after the mission. The conditions in the space shuttle allow for suitable pressure, a comfortable temperature and enough oxygen for the astronaut to be carefree in his clothes. 

The same conditions apply to the International Space Station. Once the astronauts settle into it, there is no more need for a spacesuit, unless of course, they go to spacewalk. During normal days, when working inside the International Space Station, astronauts wear pants and T-shirts as they would on Earth.


Why do astronauts wear helmets during take off?

Astronauts during launching, reentry to Earth’s atmosphere or any other task have a special suit designed to allow a positive air pressure around the astronaut in the event of a pressure leak. Part of that suit is a helmet. Wearing a helmet during take-off is necessary because astronauts are in dangerous situations and may need backup life support at any time. The suits contain an oxygen system, parachute, drinking water, smoke flare, beacon and other things that can help the astronaut survive in the event of an accident.

Helmets are also worn to reduce the risk of harm to human health that can result from sudden changes in pressure or any other hazards associated with astronaut breathing. Wearing a helmet is a safety measure. Helmets also have visors that soften sunlight for astronauts, making it easier for them to adjust and protect their eyes.


Can an astronaut survive in space with just a helmet?

If an astronaut finds himself in space without a suit but with a helmet, assuming the helmet is pressurized, the astronaut would have breathable air. 

It is very dark in space and cold. Areas that are in the shade have temperatures of about -100 C °. If you go deeper into space, temperatures drop by up to 270 C °. The astronaut would therefore die in space at almost the same minute. 

Let’s not forget about radiation. Radiation would burn a person’s skin almost instantly and in combination with a vacuum would cause blood to boil in the astronaut’s body. It would look something like this. The side that is in the shade would pass all of the above caused by the cold. But the side where the sun is would result in sunburn in a second, and then your skin would start to melt. You would freeze on one side, while you would fry on the other. 

Death would follow very quickly, perhaps in less than a minute.


What would happen if an astronaut took off his glove in space? 

Astronaut gloves are designed to protect hands from the vacuum and dust that can cause injuries in space. Dust injuries don’t sound very real, but when dust particles float at high speed they too can cause problems. 

In space, removing a glove would result in huge swelling, and if the hand was exposed to the sun, ultraviolet rays would leave dangerous burns. Vaccum would also potentially lead to hand boiling and soon all the blood in the astronaut would boil. By taking off the glove all the pressure in the suit will be lost pretty quickly which would result in suffocation. A small hole would allow a few minutes of rescue, but an exposed hand would very likely cause death by suffocation

Sources:

https://www.nasa.gov/feature/spacewalk-spacesuit-basics

https://www.space.com/30066-what-happens-to-unprotected-body-in-outer-space.html

https://www.space.com/9217-spacesuit-gloves-astronauts-fingernails-fall.html

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