Why can't we breathe in space?
We can't breathe in space because there is no air up there.
Pip’s answer
- We can't breathe in space because there is no air up there.
- All our air hugs close to Earth, like a cozy blanket.
- So astronauts bring air with them in their spaceship and suits.
- Ooh, Earth's thin blanket of air helps people and animals breathe!
For grown-ups
Earth's atmosphere is held close by gravity and thins out with height. Space is a near-vacuum with almost no oxygen and almost no air pressure, so lungs couldn't work there. Astronauts carry oxygen in their spacecraft and pressurized suits.
Ask your child: What do you think astronauts need to bring besides air?
More questions kids ask
- 🫁Why do we breathe?
- 🧑🚀Why do astronauts wear helmets?
- 🌌Why is space dark?
- 🌙Why does it get dark at night?
- ⭐Why do stars twinkle?
- 🌓Why does the moon change shape?
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