Astronauts told to have sex in space

SEX in space needs to be scientifically tested before astronauts travel to Mars, a top boffin has insisted.

During a live discussion panel, Professor Kris Lehnhardt, from George Washington University, said the topic needs addressing immediately.

He said: “It’s a real concern… something we really don’t know about is human reproduction in space.

“If we actually want to go places and stay there, there’s a key component – and that’s having babies.”

There are many things that humans need to prepare for before embarking on long space travel.

Combating the sun’s radioactive space rays and staying fit and healthy are prime concerns for astronauts.

But reproduction is probably the most important, according to Prof Lehhardt. AT its mouth, the Amazon River is nearly as wide as the Thames is long.