Itchy and Scratchy.

January 14, 2006 3:05 PM

What does an astronaut do if he or she is space-walking and then suddenly finds that there is an itch on their face that desperately needs scratching?
posted by Effigy2000 to Science & Nature (6 answers total)

They suffer.
posted by fred_ashmore at 3:10 PM on January 14, 2006

They turn toward the sun and let the cosmic radiation do its job.
posted by Baby_Balrog at 3:13 PM on January 14, 2006

Discipline.
posted by geekyguy at 3:17 PM on January 14, 2006

They go back inside, take off their suit / helmet, scratch, re-suit, and then re-exit the vehicle to resume the spacewalk, duh.
posted by Meatbomb at 3:18 PM on January 14, 2006

This problem happens in a lot of situations less fantastic than astronauts. Medical personnel especially, but I'm sure there are lots of other examples. You just kinda forget about it.
posted by rhyax at 3:20 PM on January 14, 2006

Best answer: The official word from NASA: you scratch it with your microphone.
posted by Count Ziggurat at 3:21 PM on January 14, 2006