Can you drink alcohol in space?
John Thompson
Updated on January 07, 2026
“Alcohol is not permitted onboard the International Space Station for consumption,” says Daniel G Huot, spokesperson for Nasa's Johnson Space Center. “Use of alcohol and other volatile compounds are controlled on ISS due to impacts their compounds can have on the station's water recovery system.”
Can astronauts have alcohol in space?
Alcoholic drinks are generally disallowed in spaceflight, but space agencies have previously allowed its consumption. NASA has been stricter about alcohol consumption than the Roscosmos, both according to regulations and in practice. Astronauts and cosmonauts are restricted from being intoxicated at launch.What happens if you drink in space?
Officially, drinking alcohol is prohibited on the International Space Station (ISS) because its main ingredient, ethanol, is a volatile compound that could damage the station's delicate equipment. But it can also cause problems when going to the bathroom.Why can't you drink beer in space?
Well, the most troublesome part of drinking suds in space isn't mastering carbonation—it's what that carbonation could do in a person's body: “In space, with the absence of gravity, the carbon dioxide bubbles in carbonated beverages go through an astronaut's digestive system, rather than being belched out as on Earth, ...Can astronauts smoke cigarettes in space?
Astronauts are strictly forbidden from smoking on board the Space Shuttle or ISS. In fact, smoking was never allowed on Mercury, Gemini, Apollo, or any other spacecraft.Can Astronauts Drink in Space?
How do female astronauts deal with periods?
A combined oral contraceptive, or the pill, used continuously (without taking a week off to induce menstrual flow) is currently the best and safest choice for astronauts who prefer not to menstruate during missions, says Varsha Jain, a gynecologist and visiting professor at King's College London.Would a can of Coke explode in space?
The bubbles of carbon dioxide in carbonated beverages aren't buoyant in a weightless environment, so they remain randomly distributed throughout the fluid, even after swallowing. This means that carbonated beverages including soft drinks and beer may become a foamy mess during space travel.What is not allowed in space?
Common items like salt and bread are banned from the International Space Station due to fears that they'll send floating pieces everywhere and potentially damage space equipment or accidentally get inhaled by astronauts. Basic eating, sleeping, and showering habits must also be modified.Is there Coke in space?
Coca Cola and Pepsi Cans in SpaceTwo experimental soda cans made by Coca Cola and Pepsi (formerly on display in the Apollo to the Moon gallery) are now on display in Moving Beyond Earth. The dispensers were tested by space shuttle astronauts in July 1985.