naure.com
SpaceSurprise 5/5Difficulty 4/5Reviewed on September 13, 2026

Astronauts describe the smell of space as hot metal and burnt meat.

Why it is true

When returning to the space station after a spacewalk, astronauts report a strong smell of hot metal and burnt meat. The likely cause is organic compounds released by the vacuum and brought in on their clothing. The smell is not perceptible directly in the vacuum.

Source: NASA

Would you rather be asked first?

This is the reading side of the site, so the answer is in the sentence above — that is the whole point of it. Test yourself works the other way round: the question comes on its own, and the fact and the explanation only appear once you have answered.

Test yourself →10-question challenge

Related facts

More in Space

See all →