Eau de Space: What Outer Space Really Smells Like

The Mystery of a Cosmic Scent

When astronauts return from spacewalks, they often describe something unexpected: a lingering smell clinging to their suits. Some say it’s like seared steak or burnt cookies, while others mention raspberries, rum, welding fumes, or even gunpowder. These unusual descriptions sparked curiosity both inside and outside NASA — what exactly does outer space smell like?

A Training Tool Hidden Away

This question wasn’t just about curiosity. NASA once commissioned fragrance specialists to recreate the odor for astronaut training. By replicating the scent, the agency could prepare crews for the sensory surprises they might encounter beyond Earth’s atmosphere. For decades, this formula remained tucked away, used only for simulations.

From Space Labs to Everyday Life

The secret recipe eventually resurfaced through a Freedom of Information Act request and partnerships with perfumers. The result was Eau de Space — a bottled version of the scent described by astronauts. While it is not meant as a conventional perfume, it offers people a way to experience a small, sensory fragment of space exploration from home.

What Does It Really Smell Like?

Accounts from astronauts suggest a blend of contrasting notes:

• Smoky, metallic tones, like welding sparks or ozone.
• Sweet hints of rum, fruit, and even raspberries.
• Earthy traces of burnt almond cookies or barbecued meat.

This unusual mix makes the fragrance less about fashion and more about storytelling — a way to connect with the reality of space missions through smell.

Crowdfunding the Experience

In 2020, Eau de Space launched on crowdfunding platforms and quickly attracted global attention. News outlets from CNN to NPR covered it, and backers pledged nearly a million dollars. The campaign didn’t just promise bottles of the scent; it also pledged to donate one for every purchase to STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Math) programs. The idea was simple yet powerful — to inspire students by letting them experience something astronauts have described firsthand.

Beyond Space: The Smell of the Moon

Following its success, the project introduced a second stretch goal: recreating the “Smell of the Moon.” Astronauts on Apollo missions reported that lunar dust smelled like spent gunpowder. This opened a new dimension for the project, offering supporters a choice between the two scents — or both — to deepen the connection between human imagination and space exploration.

Why It Resonates With People

Part of Eau de Space’s success lies in how it brings the abstract closer to home. Space often feels distant, defined by telescopes and images. Smell, however, is immediate and personal. By bottling these astronaut accounts, the project allowed people to experience an aspect of space exploration in a way that is intimate, sensory, and surprisingly human.