General Question

01101101's avatar

What does a dead body in space looks like?

Asked by 01101101 (252points) January 30th, 2016

Since it doesn’t decompose the way it should be, what do you think it looks like?

Observing members: 0 Composing members: 0

10 Answers

XOIIO's avatar

Well, some form of decomposition would occur on the inside while there was still warmth in the body, but eventually all the heat would leave the body, and it would pretty much be cryogenically frozen.

I would guess that there would be skin discoloration, and some ice buildup around the nose, mouth, and eyes where any fluids that would have immediate exposure would freeze.

Depending on if the person died in space, there would also be some on the lower half considering you just let go of everything once dead.

cazzie's avatar

I think it would end up a bit freeze dried. Radiation is very strong and the laws of entropy still apply.

Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
kritiper's avatar

The bacteria in the body would promote decay to some extent, if not completely, except for the skeleton. The bacteria would also promote bloat, so the corpse would explode after awhile. If one side of the body (or remaining pieces thereof) was always facing the sun, that side would be burnt to a crisp and the side away from the sun would be frozen solid. A slowly rotating body or bits would be alternately frozen, thawed, and fried.
Ya want ketchup with that??

Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Response moderated (Unhelpful)
Cruiser's avatar

The first thing you would notice is the lack of air. You wouldn’t lose consciousness straight away; it might take up to 15 seconds as your body uses up the remaining oxygen reserves from your bloodstream, and—if you don’t hold your breath—you could perhaps survive for as long as two minutes without permanent injury.

If you do hold your breath, the loss of external pressure would cause the gas inside your lungs to expand, which will rupture the lungs and release air into the circulatory system. The first thing to do if you ever find yourself suddenly expelled into the vacuum of space is exhale.

The other things, you can’t really do much about. After about 10 seconds or so, your skin and the tissue underneath will begin to swell as the water in your body starts to vaporise in the absence of atmospheric pressure. You won’t balloon to the point of exploding, though, since human skin is strong enough to keep from bursting; and, if you’re brought back to atmospheric pressure, your skin and tissue will return to normal.

It also won’t affect your blood, since your circulatory system is able to keep your blood pressure regulated, unless you go into shock. The moisture on your tongue may begin to boil, though, as reported by Jim LeBlanc, who was exposed to near vacuum in a test chamber in 1965. LeBlanc’s suit sprung a leak, and he remained conscious for about 14 seconds; his last sensation was bubbling on his tongue (he was safely revived, as the researchers began repressurising the chamber almost immediately—after about 15 seconds).

Because you will be exposed to unfiltered cosmic radiation, you can expect some nasty sunburn, and you’ll probably also get a case of decompression sickness.You would not, however, freeze straight away, despite the extremely cold temperatures; heat does not leave the body quickly enough for you to freeze before you suffocate, due to the lack of both convection and conduction.

If you do die in space, your body will not decompose in the normal way, since there is no oxygen. If you were near a source of heat, your body would mummify; if you were not, it would freeze. If your body was sealed in a space suit, it would decompose, but only for as long as the oxygen lasted. Whichever the condition, though, your body would last for a very, very long time without air to facilitate weathering and degradation. Your corpse could drift in the vast expanse of space for millions of years.

Sleep tight.

Answer this question

Login

or

Join

to answer.

This question is in the General Section. Responses must be helpful and on-topic.

Your answer will be saved while you login or join.

Have a question? Ask Fluther!

What do you know more about?
or
Knowledge Networking @ Fluther