Hey Perplexity!

What does space smell like?

Astronauts describe the smell of space as a mix of metallic, burnt, and sweet aromas. Common comparisons include burnt steak, gunpowder, and welding fumes. This scent arises when atomic oxygen from space clings to spacesuits and reacts with molecular oxygen in airlocks, forming ozone, which contributes to the metallic smell.

Additionally, polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), found in charred foods and space debris, may also impart these odors.

Overall, while space itself is a vacuum and cannot be smelled directly, returning astronauts experience these unique scents upon re-entering their spacecraft.

#spaceexploration