NASA actually contacted British chemist and smell-creator Steve Pearce to recreate the smell of outer space!

What– space has a smell? Apparently so. Astronauts who have been on spacewalks and have removed their helmets have reported that outer space has a distinctive smell.

It’s been called the “smell of space” by many, and that smell of space is described as “like seared steak,” “like hot metal” or “like arc welding on the motorbike.” These consistent descriptions lead others to conclude that the sensation is caused by some high-energy vibrations in particles which mix with air. NASA wanted to reproduce that odor to be useful in adding realism to the training programs on Earth.

Up until NASA called, Pearce had been recreating smells and flavors for restaurants, perfume manufacturers and even museums (the museum wanted the smell of Egyptian Queen Cleopatra’s hair). He was more than happy to oblige.

An applied biochemistry graduate, Pearce had always been fascinated with smells. At five years old, he kept the lid from a sardine can and he would smell it regularly. He was also fascinated by the odor of coins from a very young age. [link to www.metro.co.uk] So, recreating the smell of outer space was a welcome challenge.

NASA used the smell recreated by Pearce to make a more realistic simulation experience for astronauts on the earth.