Aroma in the atmosphere – what does it smell like in space?

What aroma is in the atmosphere? Does space smell? As an aircare business, when we saw that it was the 50th anniversary of Apollo 11 touching down on the moon, we decided we had to celebrate this historic moment, write about it and link it to scent in some way.

The United States’ Apollo 11 was the first ever crewed mission, landing on the moon 20th July, 1969. There were six crewed missions between 1969 – 1972 but there have been no other manned landings since. Has the smell put them off?!

If we focused on the moon, we’d really only be able to understand the smell as of the late 60’s or early 70’s. There have however been many astronauts that have rocketed into space since.

We delved into the smells and scents experienced from a culmination of views of those lucky enough and skilled enough to soar into space. Does space smell? Well it turns out it does.

Aromas in the Atmosphere

When astronauts finish their trips into space, land back on earth and remove their helmets, they mention that they are hit with a “weird” smell. An aroma that is very distinct: astronauts have described it as being like seared steak, hot metal and welding fumes.

The astronaut Tony Antonelli said of the smell in space, “it definitely has a smell that’s different than anything else.” Three-time space walker Thomas Jones said space “carries a distinct odor of ozone” and “a faint acrid smell.”

Just how does space smell? WE, and more specifically our atmosphere, are the ones who provide space with the special scent. One researcher describes the aroma that astronauts inhale as they move themselves from space to station; it is the result of “high-energy vibrations in particles brought back inside which mix with the air.”

As an aircare provider, we’re yet to receive a request for a ‘space smelling’ fragrance, even the scientists at NASA haven’t requested a unique space scent to pump through their labs (one step closer to space). Perhaps though it’s not as strange as a request as it sounds. We have an extensive range of fragrances (both bespoke and “standard” or “off the shelf”) for a wide range of areas, perhaps even a type of scent found in space or on the moon itself.

After all, it’s like Norman Vincent Peale said; “Shoot for the moon. Even if you miss, you’ll land among the stars.”