For years, there have been rumors going around that it’s impossible to burp in space. Snapple even had “fun facts” that they would put under the bottle caps for their customers to see once they purchased a drink, with one saying “____1____ can’t burp in space.” Well, real astronauts have been interviewed, and they have different stories. So, can you burp in space, and if so, what actually happens?

Chris Hadfield, a former commander and astronaut at the Space Station, explains that burping in space is different than belching on Earth because of something you probably already know; ____2____  is involved. He says, “You can’t burp in space because the air, food, and liquids in your stomach are all floating together like chunky bubbles. If you burp, you throw up in your mouth. So, guess where the trapped air goes?” 

If you were on Earth, that trapped air wouldn’t be a big deal. Smelly, maybe, but it quickly dissipates once you let it loose. But in space, every time an astronaut has gas, it’s like playing ____3____ roulette since the gas has nowhere to escape. ____4____ gas is flammable, which can create a potential fire hazard inside the tiny, pressurized time-bomb in the middle of space. 

Ariel Waldman is an author and wrote a book called “What’s It Like in Space?” which has factual information about ____5____. She interviewed current and retired astronauts to create the book to inform people about the fascinating, fun, and silly stuff that happens in space that we don’t usually hear, or even think about. One astronaut who was interviewed also said, “It is basically impossible to burp in space without also throwing up. The lack of gravity means gas doesn’t rise in the stomach; it’s just mixed up with everything else.”

Another story in Waldman’s book from astronaut Jim Newman tells how he figured out how to be able to burp without an ____6_____ experience. He simply pushes himself off a wall, which he found creates an _____7_____ gravity in his body that allows him to burp without throwing up.

There are some foods and drinks that astronauts are not allowed to have in space. Some foods, like chips and crackers, are not allowed because they are messy and can clog up the ventilation systems of the spaceship. Gaseous foods like freeze-dried beans and brussels sprouts aren’t allowed for the earlier mentioned fire hazard.  Others aren’t allowed because of the smell (fish), and fizzy drinks are on the “no-fly” list. Coca-Cola was allowed into space in _____8_____, but the astronauts had to deal with “wet” burps. So, no more soda!

For many, going to space or the ____9_____ is an exciting thing to dream about. One day it may be _____10_____ to visit the great unknown without having to become an astronaut or have a lot of money. So, it’s good to know some of the weird details to be better prepared to explore without having an _____11_____ outcome!