a piece of cake

Glues are surprisingly tricky to apply in the unique, weightless environment of space for several fascinating reasons:

1. Gravity Does Not Hold Things Together
   On Earth, gravity helps liquid adhesives settle, spread smoothly, and bond firmly to surfaces. In space, glues float, drift, or form awkward, bubbly globules that are incredibly hard to direct or control.
2. Surface Tension Takes Over
   Without gravity, adhesives behave according to surface tension alone. This means the glue may stubbornly cling to the applicator, ball up in strange shapes, or drift away entirely—making precise application frustratingly difficult.
3. Stickiness Without Direction
   Sticky substances can get too clingy in space—floating blobs of glue might unexpectedly stick to tools, suits, or other delicate equipment, creating dangerously messy situations.

Unpredictable Curing and Bonding

Many adhesives rely on evaporation or chemical reactions to cure—processes that depend on air movement, pressure, and temperature. In space, these conditions are very different. The cabin environment is tightly controlled, with limited airflow and microgravity, which can slow or alter how glues set. Without gravity, the glue doesn’t spread or settle as expected and may float or bead unpredictably. 

In space, tools for applying glue need to work without gravity. That means the best tools are ones that can control how much glue comes out and keep it from floating away. Tools like syringes, squeeze tubes, or preloaded cartridges can help push glue out in small amounts. A regular brush or spatula might not work well unless it has grooves or mesh to help trap the sticky material. It also helps if the tools are easy to grip with bulky gloves and can be tethered so they don’t float off.