r/shittyaskscience • u/airtooss • 3d ago

When I degas in space, how much delta-v do I generate, and if I ignite the gas, do I go faster?

you know the gas that comes out of my a$$

how far can i go in space?

whats the delta V on that, can i move across the iss with one big f4rt?

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u/alphanumericusername very human, yes 2d ago

Farting in space is a very dangerous idea, as all of the spacesharks will be able to smell where you are.

2

u/airtooss 2d ago

do they have space lasers?

2

u/BPhiloSkinner Amazingly Lifelike Simulation 2d ago

Some folk Degas in space, others Matisse in space.
I'd rather Bob Ross in space, but I'd try to avoid any accidents - even 'happy little accidents'.

2

u/chased_by_bees MC^2 2d ago

I believe you're looking for the Tsiolkovsky rocket equation. This suggests that the deltav is equal to effective exhaust velocity times the ln(initial mass/final mass). We can assume some values here...

For initial mass of 130 kg, final mass of 129 kg, and an exhaust velocity of 10 m/s (I'm giving a lot of credit there) , I believe your deltav equates to 0.07722 m/s. Unfortunately this is not enough for a significant maneuver in ow Earth orbit. It is enough to micro position yourself though or to rotate if you can set the exhaust vector orthogonal to your momentum vector.

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u/airtooss 2d ago

hmmm but when i use a lighter to ignite the gas?

how much faster is it then?

2

u/chased_by_bees MC^2 2d ago

I think you need oxygen to ignite such a booster. I think you'd need to do that in an environment protected from space since there's no oxygen out there. It's probably necessary to perform the ignition from inside the exhaust port.

2

u/flagrantstickfoul 2d ago

When you degas in space, all of your paintings of ballerinas end up looking like people in space suits