The Astronaut: held in his arms, face to face, feet on his shoulders
The Astronaut is a face-to-face carrying position. He stands upright with his feet firmly on the floor and holds her up by her buttocks. She is lifted in his arms, wraps her arms around his neck, pulls her knees right up to her chest and rests her feet over his shoulders. Their faces are very close, so they can look at each other and kiss. It is one of the most demanding positions: he carries all her weight, and she needs flexible hips. It suits strong, well-coordinated couples, for short moments.
Also known as: Apollo · The Galaxy Explorer
Anatomy and biomechanics
He stands with his feet hip-width apart and knees slightly soft, and holds her by the buttocks with both hands, close to his body. She is lifted off the floor facing him: her arms go around his neck, her knees are fully bent against her chest and her feet rest on top of his shoulders. Because her legs are folded so tightly, her pelvis tilts upwards and penetration can be deep. Both can move: he lifts and lowers her slightly with his arms and legs, and she pulls on his neck to rock. His only support is his feet, so the load falls on his lower back, arms and legs, which carry all her weight; she needs flexible hips. Faces are close together, with eye contact, kissing and full body contact.
Why this position works
Couples who enjoy it value the closeness: faces almost touching, kissing, arms around each other, while he holds her up. Some find the feeling of being carried, or of carrying, exciting in itself. With her knees to her chest, penetration can be deep, which some people enjoy and others find too much; it varies from person to person. It is a short, intense challenge more than a position for a long session.
Variations of this position
Variation 1: her back against a wall, less weight for him
Same carry, but she leans her back against a wall so he does not have to hold all her weight.
He walks her back to a solid wall and leans her upper back against it while still holding her buttocks. Part of her weight rests on the wall, so his arms and lower back work less and balance is much easier. Movements become shorter and more controlled. Her knees remain at her chest and her feet on his shoulders.
- Start next to a solid, smooth wall, with nothing on the floor in the way.
- Get into the basic position from the edge of a bed or table near the wall.
- He takes a step forward and gently rests her upper back against the wall.
- He keeps his feet a little apart and moves with short, controlled hip movements.
Variation 2: legs around his waist, less flexibility needed
She lowers her legs from his shoulders and wraps them around his waist, which needs much less hip flexibility.
Instead of resting her feet on his shoulders, she wraps her legs around his waist and crosses her ankles behind him. Her hips are less bent, so it needs far less flexibility, and her legs help hold her up, which spares his arms. Penetration is usually less deep and bodies are even closer, chest to chest.
- From the edge of a bed or table, she wraps her arms around his neck.
- She wraps her legs around his waist and crosses her ankles behind his back.
- He holds her buttocks and stands upright with his knees slightly bent.
- She uses her legs to pull closer and helps with the rhythm.
Variation 3: resting on the edge of a table
She keeps her buttocks on the edge of a sturdy table, with her feet on his shoulders, so he does not have to lift her.
Everything stays the same, face to face, her knees to her chest and her feet over his shoulders, but her buttocks rest on the edge of a sturdy table at the height of his hips. The table takes her weight, so he does not lift her and balance is no longer an issue. It is a good way to learn the position or to rest between moments of carrying.
- Choose a sturdy table that leaves her pelvis at the height of his.
- She sits on the very edge, arms around his neck, and places her feet on his shoulders.
- He stands close, holding her buttocks, and enters slowly.
- If you both feel steady, he can lift her a few centimetres off the table, then set her down again.
✓ Tips
- Only try it if he can comfortably carry her weight; if his lower back or arms complain, stop.
- Stand on a firm, non-slip floor, away from furniture corners, with a bed or sofa within reach.
- Get into position from the edge of a bed or table: she sits there, places her feet on his shoulders and he lifts her only when they both feel steady.
- He keeps his knees slightly bent and his back upright; lifting with a rounded back strains the lower back.
- Penetration can be deep: go slowly at first and stop if she feels pain.
- If he loses balance or the penis slips out, stop instead of pushing back in: a thrust at the wrong angle can bend the penis.
- Use lubricant so movements are smooth and short.
Key facts
- Interaction type
- Deep vaginal penetration, standing, face to face, carrying
- Active anatomy
- Penis
- Receptive anatomy
- Vagina
- Main stimulation
- Deep vaginal penetration, standing and face to face, with her held in his arms
- Setups and participants
- Couple · 2 people Hetero
Frequently asked questions
Is this position suitable for beginners?
No. It requires strength and balance from him and hip flexibility from her. Try simpler standing positions first, or the variation with a wall.
How can we make it less tiring?
She can lean her back against a wall, or keep her buttocks resting on the edge of a table so that he does not carry all her weight.
Do we need a lot of flexibility?
She does: with her feet on his shoulders her hips are fully bent. If that is too much, she can wrap her legs around his waist instead.
Is it safe?
It carries risks of falls, lower-back strain and penile injury if he loses balance. Use a firm floor, have something soft nearby and stop at the first sign of instability.
Safety and evidence
Scientific context for common terms used on this page. Keeping these terms makes the content easier to understand; the sources clarify what is established and what remains uncertain.
G-spot: what the evidence says
“G-spot” is a widely used term for a sensitive area of the anterior vaginal wall. Scientific literature has not established a discrete anatomical structure with an agreed location, size and nature; sensitivity and response can vary between individuals.
Reviewed by the editorial team ·
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