Thread: Shaving in Space

I was just thinking...how do astronauts shave?
I'm guessing, just guessing here, they use electric shavers, because it lessens the demand for water, and they catch most of the hair that comes off (can't have loose hairs floating all over the ship)

This also makes me think of space-shaving in general, and the continuation of the MachIII-Straight Razor debate, and things that would be taken into consideration.

For one, I can't see the actual soap-and-brush aspect working in zero-gravity. You'd end up with water and foam everywhere. Perhaps a mechanical brush-lathering machine, with a sensor to know when the lather is perfect?
Of course, there is also a great demand for water with wet-shaving, and water, as I understand it, is somewhat limited in space.
Weight - a full straight-shaving setup definitely weighs more than a MachIII. But...blades and soap. It seems to me, over time, a MachIII's blades demand a greater increase in weight than pucks of soap do.

Looking over these, it seems to me, that if one were forced to bring either a MachIII or a Straight Razor to shave:
For a short mission, a MachIII would be a better choice.
For a long mission, a Straight Razor would be a better choice.
For a really long mission...I think I would just have my beard permanently lasered before I left. :P

Edit: Upon further inquiry, I found this, somewhat amusing picture:


This is from Apollo 10. The webpage of origin indicates that the problems of loose hair, were solved by using an especially sticky lather. I would assume, from the time-frame, that unless they are using a custom razor, that those are probably standard DE safety razors.

Back in 1981 I worked Emergency Medical services with 2 young men. They were twin brothers and as a matter of fact both became Naval Test pilots and now are ASTRONAUTS and have commanded the Space Shuttle. Mark Kelly and Scott Kelly from West Orange, New Jersey. The next time I get to speak with them I'll ask them.

i would think if the lather was thick like a paste it would work kind of like putting peanut butter on bread