h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

I think it was the mention of the wonderbra that did it - I doubt many of us moaning minnies here have much call for one of those - unless we want something to rest our chin on...

Well it's enough to drive anyone doolally...

There IS a high tech solution... but it is only for short term use so far and is astronomically priced... Literally!!!

The story I heard was about the lead up to Sally Ride's first flight on the space shuttle. The NASA engineers and rocket scientists weren't sure how her... anatomy would react to microgravity. So they flight certified her choice of bra, a Victoria's Secret model. Now mostly this means checking that the materials used will not react poorly in the shuttle environment. They check to see if the materials will 'outgas' any toxins and check its flammability and whatnot. However, it is a very lengthy and detailed (and expensive) procedure to flight certify ANYTHING. Think about it, someone had to write up procedures to test a Victoria's Secret bra!

Anyway, after all that, guess what?...
In space you don't need a bra!

ooooh but you would - you don't want them bobbing off in different directions, that would be most disconcerting

Yes, maybe... but they definitely don't need the strapping and bracing they need when they are trying to be accelerated at 30m/s^2.
Anyway, Sally didn't think so and after the first day stowed her VS.

Hmmm, why a VS. I thought they would be more for looking nice, than being practical.

And I do think you need a bra in space. In one of C Clarke's books one of his characters wonder how many accidents in space have been caused by the effect zero-gravity has on breasts. I mean imagine a bunch of guys having been locked up in a tin can for a long time, trying to do some precision work on satellites, while they have a woman with breasts bobbing all over the place next to them. It must be a distraction.

Sally Ride picked the bra so I couldn't speculate on HER criteria...


BTW..... 1G = 9.8m/s^2... derrrrr. I rounded and confused ft/s^2 with m/s^2... I really do work at NASA .


CZ...Not everyone here is a 'rocket scientist'...

Right numbers, wrong units

Do I have to mention that Mars probe you lost the other year?

Oh, don't worry, I never held high hopes for Beagle2 at all (I got some inside gossip Didn't stand a chance)

No, you don't have to mention that... That was kinda what I was alluding to.