Alcohol holds a cherished place in human culture worldwide, but strict rules on the International Space Station (ISS) prohibit it entirely—or so the policy states. In practice, some astronauts have creatively skirted these bans, as reported by space experts and publications like Supercluster.
While alcohol features prominently in global traditions, ISS operational protocols are unequivocal: no alcohol allowed. Space agencies demand sobriety from their highly trained crews to ensure safety. Ethanol, the key component in alcoholic drinks, is flammable and volatile, posing risks to sensitive station equipment. Yet, as detailed in a November 30, 2020, Supercluster article, alcohol has indeed made its way aboard through ingenious means, particularly by Russian cosmonauts. Examples include bottles labeled as "juice" and cognac concealed in hollowed-out books.
Russian cosmonauts openly shared in a 2017 Russia Beyond feature that early space missions were occasionally lively with spirits. Americans aren't exempt either, according to former NASA astronaut Clayton Anderson, who spent months on the ISS in 2007. He noted colleagues toasting discreetly despite the rules. Officially, agencies like NASA never acknowledge such incidents. However, authorized deliveries have occurred for science: In November 2020, the Cygnus resupply mission carried Bordeaux wines to study chemical reactions in microgravity. Earlier, whiskey and champagne samples arrived for research and promotional purposes by producers.
