Space sexology has been defined as the "comprehensive scientific study of extraterrestrial intimacy and sexuality". It aims to holistically understand intimacy and sexuality in space, including its risks, and potential benefits for the health and well-being of those who travel beyond our home planet.
History Spokespeople for space organizations, such as NASA, have historically gone on record expressing that they do not study sexuality in space. Bill Jeffs, the spokesperson for NASA's Johnson Space Center, has stated that: "We don't study sexuality in space, and we don't have any studies ongoing with that. If that's [your] specific topic, there's nothing to discuss". Some researchers and scientists have argued that decisions made by space organizations are often heavily influenced by the sociocultural norms of their benefactors. As such, they posit that sexually conservative ideologies may hinder furthering the study of space sexology. Given the persistent lack of research on human sexuality and intimacy in space, scientists and researchers have called for studies in this area for decades. In 1989, Roy Levin wrote the first paper exploring the potential effects of space travel on human sexuality and the human reproductive system, and called attention to the lack of research in this area. In 1998, Ray Noonan wrote the first philosophical inquiry on human intimacy and sexuality for extended spaceflights. In his doctoral thesis, Noonan discussed possible sexological challenges faced by astronauts on long-duration missions and related implications for mission success. Expanding on his own work, Noonan proposed in 2001 that space agencies should collaborate with scientific communities to form programs to study sex in space. In 2005, Shimizu and colleagues echoed this belief, arguing that human sexuality research was crucial in order to successfully envision a future in space. In her 2006 book entitled "Sex in Space", Laura Woodmansee explored questions relating to interstellar intercourse, from sexual mechanics, to conception, pregnancy, and birth in low gravity situations. She further emphasized the need for extraterrestrial sex research. In 2016, Alexander Layendecker shed light on the absence of human sex research conducted by the NASA. He further advocated for the development of an Astrosexological Research Institute. Layendecker raised important questions regarding the possible effects of space conditions (e.g., exposure, radiation, microgravity, etc.) on phenomena such as conception, pregnancy, and child development. In 2018, Alexander Layendecker and Shawna Pandya co-wrote "Logistics of Reproduction in Space". In it, they present the body of research that has been produced on topics of human sexuality, reproduction and development in space. They also explored some of the logistical challenges associated with these topics. However, they concluded that the literature on such topics remains scarce, and that there is not enough data to assert whether conception, gestation, and development can safely (or successfully) occur in space. In 2021, Dubé and colleagues highlighted the importance of considering space sexology as a scientific field and research program. Noting a significant lack of research related to space intimacy and sexuality, their article titled "The Case for Space Sexology" explores the risks and benefits of studying these basic human needs in an extraterrestrial context. They posit that the use of a biopsychosocial framework could expedite and improve research among space organizations while contributing to the health and well-being of future space inhabitants. Since the publication, the authors have commented on the growth of support among the research community and space sector for the advancement of space sexology. For example, Maria Santaguida, co-author of the article, stated in an interview with Mic that: "More and more researchers around the globe and people working in the space sector recognize that addressing human intimate and sexual needs in space is one of the keys to unlocking our long-term expansion into the universe". In 2023, Santaguida and Dubé published a five year review consolidating existing research on sexual health in space, highlighting the fragmented areas of the field and calling for systematic changes to the way sexology and the study of intimacy and reproduction is studied (Santaguida & Dubé, 2023). It has been argued that NASA's rigid stance on sexuality in space may be softening. When asked to comment on Dubé and colleagues' "The Case for Space Sexology" by a MIC journalist, a NASA representative stated that "Should a future need for more in-depth study on reproductive health in space be identified, NASA would take the appropriate steps." In contrast with NASA's historically blunt rejections of proposals regarding sex and space, this response has been interpreted as a signal of change – one which may open the door for future exploration of human sexuality in space.
Recent Research In 2024, Dr. Begum Mathyk and her colleagues at the University of South Florida published work on women's reproductive health in space as a part of the Space Omics and Medical Atlas initiative, the first of its kind. Their studies examined microgravity and radiation exposure and its effects on female reproductive biology. This was one of the first OBGYN led investigations into space health (USF Health, 2024). Other recent studies have emphasized the challenges of sexual activity in microgravity, including the difficulty of maintaining physical contact and the potential need for specialized equipment or protocols when it comes to facilitating intimacy (New Space Economy, 2024).
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