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The smell of space

Astronauts who have walked in space describe an unusual odour on returning to the capsule or cabin. Don Pettit noticed the smell on the suit, helmet, gloves and tools of two tired workers whom he welcomed inside through the airlock. It was more pronounced on fabrics than on metal or plastic surfaces.

Possible causes

There is not enough evidence to conclude the origin of the smell, though experts have offered scientific explanations. Judging from the molecules known to float around in space, astronauts are probably smelling polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. These compounds form during combustion, which occurs during the death of stars. They can also be found in coal, oil and even food. Space-borne compounds adhere to the suits of astronauts outside the ISS and are carried back into the station. Reportedly, ultraviolet rays from the sun may split oxygen molecules, dividing the atoms. Atomic oxygen in space also reacts with the spacesuits, and suits with metals on them develop a distinct scent. Ozone is one of the things astronauts believe they smell clinging to their spacesuits and helmets.

Recreating the smell

NASA reached out to chemist Steve Pearce to re-create the odour for its training simulations. The scent was originally created as a training tool to eliminate any surprises during an astronaut's first time in space.

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