Astronaut Aboard the ISS Wears a Mask to Prepare for COVID

Turns out that traveling 250 miles above the Earth’s surface can’t escape the coronavirus.

Not to worry – there hasn’t been an outbreak of COVID-19 aboard the International Space Station. Our favorite little global pandemic is still confined to the globe.

But astronaut Chris Cassidy is wearing a mask to prepare for an Earth that’s in much worse shape than when he left it in March. This could be the first time in the history of the space program that the “Final Frontier” is more hospitable than our home planet.

Luckily, Cassidy and his two cosmonaut crewmates haven’t had to wear surgical masks aboard the ISS – a strict pre-launch quarantine period (and no neighbors to speak of) means the three explorers have no chance of contracting COVID-19.

The primary means of spreading the coronavirus is airborne transmission, but the air (and water) on the ISS is recycled.

On the ISS, human oxygen needs are fulfilled via the Water Reclamation System and the Oxygen Generation System, with the two working in tandem in similar fashion as a submarine. Urine, humidity condensation on the walls and windows, and Extra Vehicular Activity waste is recycled into water and breathable air – yes, they’re breathing their own pee.

And all of that precludes the coronavirus.

But after Cassidy returns to Earth, he’ll immediately deal with one of the most unique pandemics in human history. Hence the preparation.

Cassidy and the Russian cosmonauts are scheduled to return to Earth this week.