Are there cup holders on the International Space Station?

September 1, 2004 11:14 PM

Okay, here's an odd question that's been making me think...

Does the ISS have cup holders? If so, are they the huge ones that fit Double Gulps? If not, are they specially designed to fit some sort of "Space Cup"?

If not, do they have to hold their drinks the entire time?
posted by shepd to Technology (6 answers total)

While we are at it, do ISS astronauts masturbate in space? And do they have kleenex, or does it just, you know, float around?
posted by Krrrlson at 11:30 PM on September 1, 2004

In before the lock.
posted by keswick at 11:47 PM on September 1, 2004

They don't use traditional cups, which are pretty much useless when you don't have gravity to move the liquid into your mouth. I believe the standard beverage container is a foil bag with a straw. I'm not sure about holding it in place, although I understand velcro is used to hold many items down.
posted by Galvatron at 11:50 PM on September 1, 2004

Response by poster: Yeah, galvatron, but foil + velcro = tearing.

Hey, kewsick and krrlson, it's just an innocent question. And it's better than asking about masturbation. YEESH! :-)
posted by shepd at 12:13 AM on September 2, 2004

I know NASA engineers have taken a lot of crap recently, but I think they're smart enough to design a beverage container that doesn't tear.

"plastic-coated metal foil bag... plus a piece of Velcro"
posted by Galvatron at 12:40 AM on September 2, 2004

ISS Space Cup Logo
posted by oh posey at 6:27 AM on September 2, 2004