Spaced out on Sex

I must admit, sex in space was not one of the first things that I considered when thinking about the most important things to be concerned of when talking about space travel. Upon further examination though, sex in space may be just as much of an issue of space travel than anything else. On shorter missions, such as simple exploration, sex may not come in as something important for us. Our frame of mind often times in space travel is to consider the length of time it takes us to get to the moon or orbiting the Earth. If our astronauts can't wait a couple of weeks to a few months without tearing off their space suits that seems like more of a problem than a puzzle needing to be solved, but trips to the farther regions of the galaxy may take years to decades. This would be a significant interruption in the life of the astronaut and any and all normal human functions must be considered. This also opens up another more encouraging view to me because of what this means for women. Not to make a brash assumption about NASA or any other space program, but I highly doubt that these studies were started on the premise of two male astronauts having sex in space. This points to the fact that more women in space is not being looked at as only a possibility but as a complete eventuality. Now I do understand that most of this is based on a set of "what ifs" that are not capable of our space travel technology at the moment, but to see that this is something being looked at makes me proud of the even view and diversity in which the eventuality of space travel will represent. While its uses for space travel may seem like a project that is not worth while, a permanent move to the stars would make such information vital. How else would we be able to establish a lasting population among the stars if we are not prepared and fully know about what difference space would make on our ability to procreate? This research, I am sure, also has the eventuality of research on what pregnancy in space would mean for women. This may greatly effect our ability of a quality of life among the stars. So what if they are spending my tax money on this. Some may complain that it is a waste an something that is completely unnecessary. My belief however is that if we truly want to commit to the idea of a life in space we must consider ALL of the factors of life in that environment. Not to get too far off topic, but I am sure your tax dollars are being wasted in much more concerning ways than on space sex. For me this study may look superficial on the surface, but you have to dig deeper sometimes to find the promise that lay beneath.