NASA’s new space toilet for the International Space Station has been tested at the Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas. Credit: NASA
It is a question of the space age: how do astronauts go to the bathroom in space? The most basic human biological processes challenge the planet in the absence of gravity.
Credit: NASA
NASA launches a new space toilet, Universal Waste Management System (UWMS), on the International Space Station on Northrop Gruman’s 14th Contract Response Mission. A second UWMS unit will be installed in Orion for the Artemis II flight test that will send astronauts on a 10-day mission outside and behind the moon.
The key to “Universal” in UWMS is: the central design concept can be easily integrated into various spacecraft and life support systems. On platforms such as the space station where astronauts live and operate for extended periods, UWMS will feed pre-treated urine into a regenerative system, which uses water for further use. For short-term missions, like Artemis II, UWMS also works with a system where waste is not pre-treated with chemicals and stored for disposal.
This toilet is designed to take astronaut feedback about comfort and ease of use. It also features a 65% smaller and 40% lighter build than the current space station toilet. Improved integration with other components of the space station water system will help further recycle urine, which, yes, astronauts drink after filtering and processing.
Nature is reconstructing the water to precede the earth, and NASA How to do it in space right now on the International Space Station is perfect. Already in continuous operation for several years, the water recovery system draws moisture from many sources to provide astronauts with a consistently safe, clean drinking water. Follow the whole process of this video and find out how the engineers are successfully turning yesterday’s coffee into tomorrow for these brave explorers! Credit: NASA Johnson
“We recycle 90% of all water-based fluids on the space station,” explains NASA astronaut Jessica Mere. “What we’re trying to do on the space station is to replenish water from the air by mimicking the elements of the Earth’s natural water cycle. And when it comes to our urine on the ISS, today’s coffee is tomorrow’s coffee! ”
For privacy, the toilet is located inside the stall, like a public restroom on earth. The dual-stall configuration you see here is already installed on the space station and will be the waste hygiene compartment currently in use on the space station and UWMS during this technical demonstration. Credit: NASA
A resuscitated life support system at the space station is important to reduce the need to launch complementary water from Earth. Early lunar missions will be shorter in duration, so these complex systems will not be necessary. Roundtrip mission MarsHowever, it will take about two years and there will be no chances of shutting off the water supply. NASA’s goal is to reach 98% recycling rates before the human mission before boarding the proposed Mars transport vehicle. The space station is currently the only space test site to validate long-term life support and recycling systems.
How will space toilets work?
In the absence of gravity, space toilets use air flow to remove urine and feces from the body and in proper receptions. U.W.M.S. The new feature is the automatic start of air flow when the toilet id is removed, which also helps in odor control. By popular (astronaut) demand, it includes more ergonomic designs for more clone-up and maintenance time requirements, including corrosion-resistant, durable parts, to reduce the possibility of maintenance outside the set schedule. Less time on plumbing means more time for crews to spend on science and other high-priority research-focused tasks.
A team member demonstrates the urinary tract exit from its cradled position like a crew member. A funnel (not shown) is attached to the open end of this tube and can then be easily replaced or removed for disinfection. Credit: NASA
The crew uses a specially shaped funnel and tube for bowel movements to urinate. The funnel and seat can be used simultaneously, while reflecting the response of the female astronauts. The UWMS seat may seem uncomfortably small and point, but in microgravity it is ideal. It provides the ideal physical contact to ensure that everything goes where it should.
U.W.M.S. Includes foot limitations and handholds for astronauts to keep themselves afloat. Everyone puts themselves in a different position when “going” and the constant astronaut feedback suggests that traditional thigh straps were a problem.
Toilet paper, wipes and gloves are disposed of in water-tight bags. Solid waste in a personal water-tight bag is compacted into a removable fecal storage canister. A number of fecal canisters have returned to Earth for evaluation, but most are loaded into cargo ships that burn out as they re-enter the Earth’s atmosphere. Currently, fecal waste is not being processed for water reclamation, but NASA is studying this capability.
“Going beyond the earth”
In space, every part of the water cycle is key to survival and advances in technology can make a significant difference in the efficiency and success of a mission. As we prepare humans to return to the moon with Artemis and await the first human mission to Mars, life support systems will play a key role in keeping our astronauts healthy and safe as they live, and learning more from Earth than ever before. Before.
