No, space does not smell like burning metal. In fact, none of the five human senses would work in the vacuum of space. Because there is no air or atmosphere of any kind, we wouldn’t be able to smell, see, or even hear anything.
We would be entirely cut off from the information that our senses usually provide. On top of this, there is nothing in space to burn. The common term “burning metal” is usually used to describe the smell of certain fuels or rocket exhaust systems.
This would be an impossible scent to experience in a vacuum and certainly would not be a natural smell of space.
Does space have a smell?
No, space does not have a smell. This is because smell is caused by particles and chemicals in the air that are detected by the olfactory receptors in your nose. In the vacuum of space, there is no air or particles, so the olfactory receptors cannot detect any smell.
But astronaut Thomas Jones has described the smell of space. He noted that it smells like a mixture of gunpowder, seared steak, raspberries and rum. But this is due to breathing in the chemicals from his suit rather than from the environment of space.
How much do astronauts get paid?
Astronauts are highly trained professionals who typically hold advanced degrees and are highly qualified to pilot spacecraft, conduct experiments and perform spacewalks. As such, their salaries reflect this level of expertise.
Base salary for an astronaut can range from $65,140 – $155,500 depending on their rank and experience. Astronauts may also receive additional benefits such as flight pay, situational pay, medical insurance and more.
It’s important to note that astronauts don’t actually get paid for the time they are in space – their salary is based on their rank and experience on Earth. Astronauts receive an additional incentive when they do participate in a space mission – an additional stipend of up to $17,000 to cover the expense of their mission.
So while astronauts aren’t solely in it for the money, they are certainly well paid for their skills and expertise.
Would a body decompose in space?
No, a body would not decompose in space. Because there is no oxygen, bacteria, or other factors that usually cause decomposition, a body would not decompose in the vacuum of space. In the event that a human is exposed to the vacuum of space, they will not decompose; instead, they will become deformed due to the lack of atmospheric pressure and then freeze solid, due to the extreme cold temperatures.
In essence, the body will be in a state of suspended animation, and any microbes that manage to inhabit the body will not be able to perform the decomposition processes. That said, any body will eventually be destroyed by the various forms of radiation found in space.
Over time, the body would become brittle and eventually turn to dust.
Can you taste anything in space?
No, you cannot taste anything in space. Tasting food and other items relies on using sensory organs, such as taste buds on your tongue, to send messages to your brain. The vacuum of space prevents these signals from being sent and sensed, so no taste can be experienced.
While in space, astronauts often miss being able to taste food and will opt for food that has a lot of flavor to remind them of foods they cannot taste. While astronauts are unable to taste food in space, they have reported that food does not have the same texture in space as it does on Earth due to the effects of microgravity.
So even though astronauts cannot taste food, they feel the texture and can tell if the food is salty or sweet.