What Happens When An Astronaut Dies In Space? Chris Hadfield Reveals NASA Protocols

13th Jan 2025
What Happens When An Astronaut Dies In Space? Chris Hadfield Reveals NASA Protocols

Former International Space Station (ISS) commander Chris Hadfield has shed light on the contingency plans astronauts must follow in the event of a death in space. Speaking about NASA’s detailed preparations, Hadfield explained how simulations and protocols guide astronauts through such critical scenarios.

Preparing for the Worst in Space: Chris Hadfield Tells All

Astronauts aboard the ISS are trained to handle potential fatalities, including what to do if a crew member dies during a mission. According to Hadfield, NASA employs “death simulations” to ensure personnel are prepared to act appropriately and maintain safety in the enclosed, delicate environment of a spacecraft.

“If someone died while on an EVA [extravehicular activity], I would bring them inside the airlock first,” Chris Hadfield told Popular Science. He added that the deceased would likely remain in their pressurised suit to prevent sanitary issues and odours caused by decomposition in a microgravity environment.

“Bodies actually decompose faster in a spacesuit, and we don’t want the smell of rotting meat or off-gassing – it’s not sanitary,” Hadfield explained.

Temporary Storage and Final Disposition

On the ISS, a deceased body would likely be stored in a cooler area while awaiting its final disposition. Options outlined in NASA’s guidance for “Mortality Related to Human Spaceflight” include:

  • Returning the remains to Earth.
  • Jettisoning the body into a disposal trajectory.
  • Allowing the body to burn up during re-entry into Earth’s atmosphere.

Hadfield emphasised that any decision regarding the deceased would also consider the wishes of the astronaut and their family, as well as ensuring the health and safety of the surviving crew.

Balancing Safety and Respect

The closed environment of a spacecraft introduces significant challenges. NASA documents highlight the biohazards posed by decomposition, which could potentially contaminate the enclosed atmosphere. Ensuring crew safety and maintaining dignity are central to the protocols.

“The goal is to ensure that the procedures are performed as set forth, professionally, and with dignity and respect without compromising the health of the surviving crew,” the guidelines state.

For now, such scenarios remain rare, but NASA’s thorough preparations ensure that astronauts are ready to address even the most sombre moments during their time in space.

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