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This_Username_42 t1_ix4r519 wrote

Reply to comment by Throwawaycuzawkward in What are some horrifying space facts. by galactic_oblivion

To clarify for any layfolk — you don’t boil as in “getting hot”. The pressure drop means that the boiling point of water is lower than body temp, so the liquid will turn to a vapor and escape the body (high pressure moves to low pressure), which will remove heat from your body

So you’re not on the stove boiling, you’re stuck in a (painful) freeze dryer

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Throwawaycuzawkward t1_ix4s6ee wrote

Yeah, I mentioned "zero pressure" with the idea that was understood. But I get why it's not.

I also failed to mention that the most horrific part is that the human body - unlike the ISS or the SLS - is built by evolution to create homeostasis under all conditions.

Your skin is, in fact, a skin-diving suit for all conditions. And it tries really hard not to let you die, even when the liquid in your body is trying to change state.

Ok, Now I'm just being gratuitous. Must be Spooky Season.

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This_Username_42 t1_ix4sndp wrote

I like your comment and agree, and in some ways I think the freeze-dry flavor of boiling might even be spookier to many people.

People have been getting boiled for a lot of human history, but not freeze dried — that’s some space-age torture

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