Top 10 Misconceptions About Space Travel

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Travel to the final frontier as we debunk the top 10 misconceptions about space travel. Through this article, we aim to correct these common fallacies and provide a more accurate portrayal of what life beyond our planet really entails.

1. There is No Gravity in Space

One of the most common misconceptions is that there is no gravity in space. In reality, a small amount of gravity can be found everywhere in space. What astronauts actually experience is a state of continuous free fall towards Earth, creating the sensation of weightlessness. This condition is often referred to as microgravity, not zero gravity.

2. Humans Explode in Space without a Spacesuit

It’s a myth that humans will explode in the vacuum of space without protection. While exposure to space without a suit is dangerous and can cause severe health problems, an immediate explosion isn’t one of them. The lack of oxygen can lead to unconsciousness within 15 seconds and death within a couple of minutes, but there won’t be an explosion.

NASA / Unsplash

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Apollo 17 astronaut Gene Cernan in 1972NASA / Unsplash

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Photo by NASA / Unsplash

3. Space is Extremely Cold

While it’s true that space is cold, this doesn’t tell the whole story. Space is a vacuum, meaning it doesn’t have an atmosphere, land, or water to absorb and radiate heat. So, the temperature in space can vary greatly depending on whether you’re in sunlight or shadow.

4. Astronauts’ Bones Become Brittle

Many people believe that space travel leads to brittle bones. While it’s true that astronauts can lose bone density during prolonged space missions due to the low-gravity environment, proper exercise and diet can help counteract these effects. Moreover, most astronauts regain their lost bone density after returning to Earth.

5. Meteors are Heated by Friction when Entering the Atmosphere

Contrary to popular belief, meteors are not heated by friction when entering the Earth’s atmosphere. They are actually heated by ram pressure, a process similar to the way a bicycle pump heats air as it is compressed. Friction plays only a minor role in the heating process.

NASA / Unsplash

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Satellite in orbitNASA / Unsplash

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Photo by NASA / Unsplash

6. Astronauts Experience ‘Zero-G’

This misconception likely stems from the term ‘Zero-G,’ which suggests the absence of gravity. However, astronauts aboard the International Space Station (ISS) still experience about 90% of the Earth’s gravity. The feeling of weightlessness they experience is due to their continuous free-fall around the Earth, not the absence of gravity.

7. The Great Wall of China is Visible from Space

Despite the popular saying, the Great Wall of China is not visible from space with the naked eye. Even from a low Earth orbit, spotting the Great Wall is a difficult task due to the structure’s narrow width. Astronauts usually require photographic aids to see it. (Image Link:

8. Space is a Complete Vacuum

While space is commonly thought of as a complete vacuum, it’s not entirely empty. Space is filled with trace amounts of gas, dust, and particles. It also contains cosmic rays and neutrinos. However, the density of these particles is significantly lower than what we’re used to on Earth.

Marcus Urbenz / Unsplash

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Marcus Urbenz / Unsplash

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Photo by Marcus Urbenz / Unsplash

9. Black Holes are Cosmic Vacuum Cleaners

Black holes are often thought of as cosmic vacuum cleaners that suck up everything in their vicinity. In reality, black holes behave like any other celestial body of the same mass. They don’t ‘suck’ objects in any more than the Earth ‘sucks’ us down to its surface. (Image Link:

10. The Sun is Yellow

Contrary to common perception, the sun is not yellow. Its light is near to white. Our atmosphere scatters short-wavelength light, such as blue and green, to a far greater degree than longer wavelength light, such as red, orange, and yellow. This results in the perception of a yellow sun. However, if you were to view it from space, the sun would appear white.

Understanding these misconceptions about space travel helps paint a more accurate picture of the universe. By separating fact from fiction, we can appreciate the realities and wonders of space travel and exploration. Space is a truly remarkable place, even without the myths and misconceptions that surround it. (Image Link:

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